Specialized dentistry - Free Course

Dental Assistant, The, Sept-Oct, 2003 by Esther K. Andrews

Sports Dentistry

Sports dentistry deals with the prevention and management of oral and maxillofacial sport injuries. Since 13%-39% of sports injuries are dental related, protection of orofacial structures is important. Accidents, unintentional injury and intentional injury to the head and neck can damage the body as a result of exposure to thermal, electrical, mechanical or chemical energy or from the absence of oxygen. The Academy of Sports Dentistry represents this discipline. (24)

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction is the improper functioning of the jaw joint where the mandible attaches to the temporal bone of the skull. The American Academy of Orofacial Pain seeks to improve the treatment of orofacial pain and temporomandibular joint disorders by promoting the exchange of scientific information. (25)

SUMMARY

Knowledge of the disciplines of dentistry is needed for the dental assistant to properly communicate with the patient, insurance companies, labs and medical offices. It also helps the dental assistant identify workplace settings. It is the responsibility of the dental assistant to become familiar with these subject areas in order to better communicate with patients about their treatment. While it is nearly impossible to know the details of all of the thousands of dental procedures performed on patients, knowledge of the common topic areas helps the dental assistant to provide additional information to the patient.

REFERENCES

(1.) American Dental Association: www.ada.org

(2.) Academy of General Dentistry: www.agd.org

(3.) American Board of General Dentistry: www.abgd.org

(4.) U.S. Dept of HHS: www.hhs.gov

(5.) American Academy of Public Health Dentistry: www.aaphd.org

(6.) American Academy of Endodontics: www.aae.org

(7.) American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology: www.aaomp.org

(8.) American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology: www.aaomr.org

(9.) American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: www.aaoms.org

(10.) American Association of Orthodontists: www.aaortho.org

(11.) American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: www.aapd.org

(12.) American Academy of Periodontology: www.perio.org

(13.) American College of Prosthodontists: www.prosthodontics.org

(14.) Holistic Dental Association: www.simwell.com/hda

(15.) American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry: www.estheticacademy.org

(16.) American Society of Forensic Odontology: www.abfo.org

(17.) American Academy of Forensic Science: www.aafs.org

(18.) American Board of Forensic Odontology: www.abfo.org

(19.) American Academy of Laser Dentistry: www.laserdentistry.org

(20.) American Academy of Implant Dentistry: www.aaid-implant.org

(21.) American Dental Society of Anesthesiology: www.adsahome.org

(22.) American Society of Dental Anesthesiologists: www.asdahq.org

(23.) American Academy of Oral Medicine: www.aaom.com

(24.) Academy of Sports Dentistry: www.acadsportsdent.org

(25.) American Academy of Orofacial Pain: www.aaop.org

Test Questions: Specialized Dentistry

Please note: There is an administrative fee of $8 to cover a portion of grading and publication costs. This fee MUST accompany the test when it is submitted for grading. Use answer sheet opposite. APPROVED FOR TWO CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS--ADAA Members Only