Dental Assistants and Patient Rights
http://www.healthmedicalresources.com/articles/113/1/Dental-Assistants-and-Patient-Rights/Page1.html
Douglas Adams
By Douglas Adams
Published on September 23rd, 2008
As a Dental Assistant, one has to work hard to assist the Dentists and Dental Hygienists in order to give quality service to the patients.
Dental Assistants and Patient Rights
As a Dental Assistant, one has to work hard to assist the Dentists and Dental Hygienists in order to give quality service to the patients.
Dental Assistants also have to inform the patients the importance of good oral health and oral hygiene. Patients have certain rights with regard to dental care and a Dental Assistant should have a good knowledge regarding these rights.
Patients have the full right to make an informed decision about their dental health. As a Dental Assistant, it is your responsibility to fully inform the patient of various aspects, such as facts regarding the procedures, the alternative options available to the patients and the risks involved in the procedures.
A Patient can also request to have a look at the licensing and credentials of staff members. Every patient has the right to receive quality care and as a Dental Assistant, you will have to ensure the same by ensuring that the dental tools and equipment are properly cleaned and sterilized . Dental Assistants need to be always approachable to their patients.
Another right of a patient is the right to refuse treatment. The Dental Assistant has to keep in mind that it's the patient's right to decide and he/she should respect that decision. In case of emergency situations, patients have the right to be attended to as soon as possible and the Dental Assistant should do everything within his/her limits to reduce the patient's pain and make him/her feel as comfortable as possible.
A patient can also ask for an itemized cost of treatment before undergoing any procedure. Most importantly, a Dental Assistant should treat a patient with dignity and respect. Even when a Dental Assistant has to enquire about the patient's oral hygiene he/she has to be mindful of all manners and etiquettes.
Patients also have the right to ask for confidentiality. In such a case, the Dental Assistants have to make sure that they keep the information to themselves. A patient can also ask for copies of information regarding his/her dental health or express concern over the dental care that has been given to them.
If they are not satisfied, patients can also lodge a complain against a Dental Assistant or other staff members at the State Dental Board. As a Dental Assistant, it is of crucial importance to be aware of each and every right that a patient has. One should avoid getting caught up in issues regarding the procedures and duties of the dental profession and try to give satisfactory services to every patient.
Dental Assistants also have to inform the patients the importance of good oral health and oral hygiene. Patients have certain rights with regard to dental care and a Dental Assistant should have a good knowledge regarding these rights.
Patients have the full right to make an informed decision about their dental health. As a Dental Assistant, it is your responsibility to fully inform the patient of various aspects, such as facts regarding the procedures, the alternative options available to the patients and the risks involved in the procedures.
A Patient can also request to have a look at the licensing and credentials of staff members. Every patient has the right to receive quality care and as a Dental Assistant, you will have to ensure the same by ensuring that the dental tools and equipment are properly cleaned and sterilized . Dental Assistants need to be always approachable to their patients.
Another right of a patient is the right to refuse treatment. The Dental Assistant has to keep in mind that it's the patient's right to decide and he/she should respect that decision. In case of emergency situations, patients have the right to be attended to as soon as possible and the Dental Assistant should do everything within his/her limits to reduce the patient's pain and make him/her feel as comfortable as possible.
A patient can also ask for an itemized cost of treatment before undergoing any procedure. Most importantly, a Dental Assistant should treat a patient with dignity and respect. Even when a Dental Assistant has to enquire about the patient's oral hygiene he/she has to be mindful of all manners and etiquettes.
Patients also have the right to ask for confidentiality. In such a case, the Dental Assistants have to make sure that they keep the information to themselves. A patient can also ask for copies of information regarding his/her dental health or express concern over the dental care that has been given to them.
If they are not satisfied, patients can also lodge a complain against a Dental Assistant or other staff members at the State Dental Board. As a Dental Assistant, it is of crucial importance to be aware of each and every right that a patient has. One should avoid getting caught up in issues regarding the procedures and duties of the dental profession and try to give satisfactory services to every patient.