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The term used to describe an appointment
scheduled with the hygienist may vary
depending on the office.
Such terms may include:
▪ regular or routine care
▪ regular or routine maintenance
▪ hygiene
▪ recare
▪ re-call
In order to avoid confusion, it is important to
note that all of these terms reference the
same type of appointment, in which the
patient will have a cleaning with the
hygienist, as well as an examination dentist.
FIGURE 1.3 REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST
Sterilization Assistant Lab Technician
A dental office may employ a sterilization A Lab Technician works outside of the
assistant to provide support to the dental dental office in a dental laboratory. They are
hygienists and/or assistants. responsible for creating and repairing dental
Employing a sterilization assistant is appliances, prosthesis, and restorations such
especially prevalent in large practices, where as crowns, bridges, dentures or implants.
multiple patients are seen at the same time. If treatment requires a lab made restoration
The Sterilization Assistant helps to or appliance, the dentist will take an
maintain patient flow by managing the impression of the patient’s mouth and send it
instrument sterilization area, disinfecting the dental lab along with written instruction
operatories, as well as setting up and indicating what they would like created.
stocking the operatories with the appropriate Once complete, the lab will deliver the case
instruments and supplies. back to the dental office, and the patient will
return to have their lab made appliance or
restoration “inserted” or placed in their
mouth.
FIGURE 1.4 STERILIZATION EQUIPMENT
FIGURE 1.5 LAB TECHNICIAN
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