Checklists

 

Daily Checklist for Dental Assistant Assigned to Operatory 7

Checklist for Non-Clinical Time in the Morning

Stock/order all dental and PPE materials and supplies as per protocol in sterilization and op #7

Log onto op #7 computer

Turn on op #7 TV

Review morning charts and make pertinent notes for team huddle as per protocol

Open window shade and secure cord

Checklist for Clinical Time between Patients

Sterilize, disinfect and barrier as per WISHA guidelines

Sweep/wipe floor, molding, and parent stools as needed

Wipe excess wax from floss dispenser

Keep keyboard and counters clear of paper, pens, and pencils (pockets only)

Checklist for Non-Clinical Time in the Afternoon

Log off op #7 computer

Turn off op #7 TV

Stock/order all dental and PPE materials and supplies as per protocol in sterilization and op #7

Confirm staff entrance is closed and locked and report to practice administrator if it is not

Close window shade and secure cord

Wipe down all nonclinical reflective surfaces with streak free solution: rheostat, metal on doctor and assistant’s chairs, and tissue container, etc

Checklist for Non-Clinical Time End of Week

Run water through eye-wash station for one minute and wipe with non-streak solution

Wipe every sink and soap dispenser in the clinical area with a non-streak solution and add antibacterial soap to each dispenser’s full-line

Checklist and Scripting for Doctor of Dental Surgery and Dental Surgical Assistant(s) at Hospital

1. Surgeon is responsible for checking-in as per hospital protocol.

2. Surgeon is responsible for meeting patient and guardian in pre-op area prior to surgery and reviewing anticipated treatment and outcomes.

3. The surgeon is responsible for completing the World Health Organization checklist, as per hospital protocol, starting with an introduction BEFORE rendering examination or treatment in the operating room:

• Introduction.  Example, “I am Dr. Molly Gunsaulis, pediatric dentist.”
• Allow every member of the operating room team to introduce themselves by name and title, including circulating nurse and anesthesia team.  Example, “I’m Rose Craig, Surgical Assistant.”

4.  Surgeon then announces the following to the entire operating room team:

• The patient’s name.
• Procedures planned.
• Anticipated time for procedure.
• Patient’s medical alerts and weight.
• When the circulating nurse may call outside department if necessary. Example, Radiology.
• When intermittent reports, if requested by parents, should be made from the circulating nurse to the pre-op nurse or parents.

5.  The surgical assistant confirms:

• Necessary equipment has been set up and is operational for each planned procedure, (example, “The laser is operational for the planned maxillary midline frenectomy.”

6.  Surgeon places and then confirms placement of throat pack:

• “Throat pack placed.”

7.  Following the doctor’s aseptic techniques the surgical assistant listens to the surgeon’s verbal clinical and radiographic diagnostic information and converts it to written form in the patient’s graphic chart.

8.  The surgical assistant then keeps the surgeon aware of his or her planned procedures by announcing the planned procedures requiring the driest field first. 

• Impressions for diagnostic models.
• Soft tissue surgery for improved access and homeostasis and all soft tissue surgery if completed with a laser.
• Restorations requiring a dry field.
• Root chamber and or canal therapy
• Any remaining soft tissue surgery completed without use of a laser.
• Restorations that do not requiring homeostasis.
• Extractions.
• Space maintainers.
• Impressions for appliance therapy.
• Re-mineralization therapy

9.  The surgical assistant says each of the above procedures per quadrant.  Starting with the first procedure in the upper right quadrant, moving to the upper left quadrant then to the lower left quadrant and finally to the lower right quadrant before moving to the next procedure on the planned procedure list.

• The surgical assistant must wait for SVC, surgeon’s verbal confirmation, before announcing the next quadrant.  The SVC must exactly repeat what the surgical assistant said.
• The surgeon must repeat that quadrant’s planned treatment before the hand piece can be used via the SVC.
• If the surgeon begins to prep without SVC the surgical assistant must stop the surgeon by saying: I need your conformation of the quadrant before you proceed.”

10.  The surgeon must say “Next quad” when he or she is ready to know what teeth or area requires the procedure in the next quadrant.

• The surgical assistant is responsible for completing the procedures on the graphic chart before moving to the next quadrant.

11.  Following completion of the case the surgical assistant confirms:

• That all procedures have been completed on the graphic chart and that no outstanding treatment remains.
• That the gauze count pre-op matches that post-op with the circulating nurse.
• That all appropriate products and handouts have been placed in the correct patient’s post-operative bag.
• That the patient’s label, usually found in the patient’s hospital chart has been applied to their take home bag, all specimen containers and the graphic chart, if in paper form, or on a patient list, if graphic chart is in an electronic form.

12.  Before the surgeon steps away from the patient, he or she must say to the Team, “Throat pack removed.” He or she then offers to suction the patient’s stomach for the anesthesiologist.

13.  The surgical assistant may then give the patient’s graphic chart (written or electronic) to the surgeon.

14.  The surgeon will then review all completed procedures, post-operative instructions and handouts with the patient’s guardian in the hospital’s designated area.