Job description for the specialty “Dentist-therapist”

Job description of a dental therapist [name of organization, enterprise, etc.]

This job description has been developed and approved in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of February 14, 2003 N 101 “On the length of working hours of medical workers depending on the position and (or) specialty they occupy”, resolutions of the State Committee for Labor of the USSR and Presidium of the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions dated October 25, 1974 N 298/P-22 “On approval of the list of industries, workshops, professions and positions with hazardous working conditions, work in which gives the right to additional leave and a shortened working day” and other regulations, regulating labor relations.

Responsibilities of a dental therapist

A qualified doctor must directly report to the job description of a dental therapist. A person with a higher medical education in the specialty “Dentistry” can be hired for the position. The doctor should know:

• basics of asepsis and antiseptics;
• basics of organizing timely medical care;
• instrument sterilization technique;
• methods of providing first aid for bleeding, painful shock, collapse;
• resuscitation techniques;
• types of modern dental equipment, as well as instruments.

A qualified dentist must be familiar with the psychology of professional communication and be able to reassure the patient.

The main responsibilities of a dental therapist include:

• carrying out the initial patient appointment;
• qualified medical examination of the patient’s oral cavity;
• collection of biomaterial for further research;
• preparing the patient for physiotherapeutic procedures;
• providing first aid for oral injuries;
• performing dental restoration;
• treatment of diseases that do not require surgical intervention;
• maintaining medical records;
• storage and accounting of received drugs;
• conducting consultations with doctors of related specialties.

The instructions of the dentist-therapist also provide for rights. The doctor can make proposals to management to improve his medical activities, make decisions independently within his competence, and also supervise the work of junior subordinate employees. A dentist-therapist has the right to improve his qualifications and undergo training in related medical specialties.

The physician is responsible for the performance of his duties. The working hours of a dental therapist should not exceed 39 hours per week.

Why are professional standards needed in private companies?

Private owners do not necessarily need to use these documents. Some organizations, however, use them. The reasons may be:

• disagreements between the employer and employees regarding labor tasks are resolved much easier;
• fewer disputes with agencies inspecting the organization;
• you can approve the requirements for applicants for a particular position in the company;
• You can establish the reasons for employees to undergo additional training.

Companies can use both professional standards and qualification reference books.

The difference between a dental therapist and allied health professionals

What is the difference between a dentist and a dental therapist? Dentist is the general name for all doctors who provide care related to diseases of the oral cavity. The main work of a therapist is related to the restoration of teeth and the treatment of gum pathologies. If it is necessary to undergo surgery, restore the correct position of incisors and molars in the dentition, or perform prosthetics, the patient is referred to another doctor.

There is a significant difference between a dentist and a dental therapist. A dentist is trained at a college and receives basic knowledge in the field of dentistry. Such a doctor can only conduct an initial examination, treat simple gum diseases, and place a filling on a tooth in the early stages of caries. The dentist can also talk with the patient about proper oral hygiene and the prevention of dental diseases. If a young specialist identifies diseases that are not within his competence, he refers the patient to a dentist-therapist.

Legislation on professional standards

The procedure for working with professional standards is prescribed by Art. 195.3 of the Labor Code. It was approved by Federal Law No. 122-FZ dated May 2, 2015. It notes that some organizations must necessarily use professional standards.

These are the following institutions (according to Government Decree No. 584 dated June 27, 2016):

• state and municipal sector;
• companies that are more than half owned by the state;
• where there are positions that need to be provided with social guarantees established by legal acts;
• where there are positions for which professional standards must be applied.

Answers to popular questions about professional standards can be found in the letter of the Ministry of Labor dated 04/04/2016 No. 14-0/10/B-2253.

Diseases treated by a therapist

If you experience pain in the oral cavity, a visit to a dentist cannot be postponed. A good specialist will provide quick and painless dental treatment and will prevent the development of complications.

Caries

If a dentist can easily cope with the initial stage of the disease, then at an advanced stage of the pathological process one cannot do without the help of a dentist-therapist. The doctor removes damaged tooth tissue, disinfects the affected area, and also creates conditions for reliable fixation of the filling. Restoration involves restoring the integrity and functionality of an incisor or molar.

Pulpitis

This disease develops as a consequence of advanced caries due to untimely medical care. The destructive process reaches the soft tissue of the tooth. The job responsibilities of a dental therapist involve treating the disease in several stages. First of all, the specialist opens the tooth cavity to gain access to the affected nerve. Next, a paste is applied to “kill” the pulp. After a few days, the dentist removes the nerve, thoroughly cleans the canals using an antiseptic and performs a filling.

Pathologies of the oral mucosa

This category includes pathological processes such as stomatitis, cheilitis, gingivitis, glossitis, and periodontitis. The dentist's report must contain a description of the chosen treatment method, in accordance with the causes of the disease. Treatment of non-infectious pathologies is carried out using antiseptic solutions and ointments.

If the disease is caused by pathogenic microflora, the physician may prescribe antibiotics, antiviral or antifungal drugs. Additionally, the specialist prescribes physiotherapeutic procedures to quickly restore the affected mucosa.

What may be additionally required?

To correctly determine the diagnosis, the patient may be prescribed various additional procedures, studies and tests:

• swab of the oral mucosa for bacteria and fungi;
• radiography using modern digital equipment;
• microscopy;
• electroodontic diagnostics to assess the condition of the pulp (nerve).

During the examination, the doctor may use instruments to open the crowns and examine the condition of the tissues inside the tooth and the condition of the nerves inside the root.

When to see a dentist

You should not postpone a visit to the dentist when the following symptoms are observed in the oral cavity:

• bleeding gums;
• rashes on the tongue and inner surface of the cheeks;
• acute or nagging toothache;
• bad breath;
• darkening of the enamel of incisors and molars;
• change in tooth shape.

A dental therapist is also needed to conduct regular preventive examinations. It is necessary to visit a specialist twice a year, even if there are no unpleasant symptoms.

How to introduce work with professional standards into an organization

There is a certain procedure for implementing professional standards in a company:

1. The head of the company, by his order, assembles a working group. It includes lawyers, personnel officers, heads of departments (structural units) or other competent employees. The group’s tasks are to draw up a plan for the organization’s transition to professional standards.
2. Members of the working group compare professional standards and positions available in the company. Select those standards that are suitable for the positions.
3. If necessary, positions are renamed.
4. Determine whether employees require additional training.
5. Make changes to job descriptions in the organization.

Important! Employees must undergo additional training when, according to the professional standard, the position requires higher qualifications. If the employee refuses to study, he is transferred to another position or dismissed.

Signs of a good specialist

Dental therapists see patients in thousands of specialized clinics. To make the right choice, you should know what criteria a good specialist must meet:

• positive professional reputation and good reviews from patients;
• extensive practical experience;
• friendly attitude towards patients.
• availability of specialized medical education confirmed by a diploma;
• certificates of completion of advanced training courses.

The desire to improve one’s professionalism, study new methods of treating oral diseases, as well as an individual approach to each patient is what makes a dental therapist a good specialist.

Preventive measures

For oral health, it is necessary, first of all, to regularly prevent caries. This consists of high-quality teeth cleaning with toothpaste, floss and other means. A proper diet and constant consultations/examinations with a doctor are necessary.

Some cases of caries can develop without symptoms, and can only be detected with certain examinations. This allows you to stop the development of a destructive disease and postpone the removal and drilling of infected tissue for some time!

Pros and cons

The profession of a dental therapist attracts with the following advantages:

• high wages due to the growth of private paid dental clinics;
• convenient schedule, specialists often choose convenient days themselves, practicing simultaneously in different places;
• prestige, a competent specialist has a good reputation.

However, the profession has a number of disadvantages:

• long training, complex training program;
• we need constant improvement of skills, mastery of technologies, working methods;
• difficult start to career due to lack of experience;
• working with people - the “person-to-person” sphere is difficult because you come across different people, each of whom needs to find their own approach.

Working as a dental therapist requires complete dedication; not every applicant to a medical school is ready for this. Before enrolling, you need to weigh all the pros and cons, evaluate your strengths and capabilities.

Where to study

Training of future specialists is possible strictly in medical schools. There are enough prestigious universities and academies in Russia. The passing grade or tuition fee varies depending on the place of study. Nevertheless, the average passing scores are 70-80, and the cost of one academic year is up to 300,000 rubles.

Among the popular medical educational institutions in Russia that train specialists:

• Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov;
• Russian National Research Medical University named after N.I. Pirogov;
• State Medical and Dental University named after A.I. Evdokimov.

Doctor's tasks

Typical tasks of a physician in the specialty in question include the following:

1. Dental treatment, which involves eliminating carious cavities.
2. Removal of nerves exposed to the inflammatory process.
3. Restorative procedures affecting areas of tooth enamel, in particular for damaged teeth; his responsibilities also include teeth whitening.
4. One of the most important tasks of this medical professional is to perform a depulpation procedure, which includes extracting the damaged nerve, as well as preserving the lining of the dentition.

Treatment of caries and all possible complications is the main task of this medical professional.

They are dangerous to the patient’s health, and the tasks of a professional in this particular area include eliminating such possible consequences.