Dr Sanju Thomas Abraham, Director – Indian Dental Nursing, Coimbatore, gives a rundown on the dental nursing sector in India
The demand for quality health care is driving the transformation of the healthcare sector in India. In India, oral health is not given its due diligence. According to a Frost and Sullivan report around 40-50 per cent of Indian population has never visited a dentist even though, nearly 70 per cent of population is suffering from dental diseases. Even then the scope for the Indian dental care services market is huge. It was estimated to be $739 million in 2010 and is expected to reach $1302.5 by 2015 at a CAGR of 12 per cent.
Dental nurse is a common term used in dentistry but unfortunately India lacks a professional group of dental nurses. Dental nurse is an integral part of the dental team but unfortunately this segment is occupied by different sets of people from non qualified individuals to professionals like registered nurse. The reason behind this discrepancy is lack of standardisation and non-availability of proper training and certification of dental nurses.
The healthcare sector in India has been growing rapidly in recent years and is estimated to reach a value of $280 billion by 2020. Consequently, the sector is also experiencing an incremental demand for human resources from doctors and nurses to allied health professionals and technicians. With reference to the recent Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) report, India has a shortfall of six million allied health professionals.
Within this context there is an increased need in the healthcare setting for qualified dental nurses with the highest standards of professionalism, skills and expertise to provide high quality patient care and support for the dental clinician.
As the practice of dentistry changes, the need for qualified dental nurses increase. This need is also attributed to patients’ demand for skilled and qualified staff; dental nurses requiring to be familiar with a range of routine and non-routine dental procedures; the need for the highest standards of quality assurance; and continual changes in health and safety guidance and legislation. Consequently, demands and responsibilities have become greater for dental nurses working within a variety of dental environments.
The professional group of dental nursing is in its infancy, however it is widely recognised that improving oral health will have a positive impact on the general health and wellbeing of any population. The development of this suite of qualifications has been triggered from the dentists themselves who are looking for professional and quality services to serve the best interests of their patients.
The dental nurse is an essential member of the dental team. Dental nurses work within a variety of dental environments and provide support to dental clinicians, patients and the dental team. The range of duties performed by dental surgery nurses include; preparing and maintaining the dental clinic/ surgery; prevention of infection and cross infection; recording information provided by a dental clinician relating to the patients dentition, periodontium and soft tissues; preparing mixing and handling a range of dental materials; providing chairside support to the clinician during a range of dental procedures; maintaining full contemporaneous dental records; preparation of equipment, materials and patients for dental radiography; communicating, supporting, monitoring and reassuring patients; providing advice within their own capabilities; supporting patients and colleagues if there is a medical emergency and providing patients with oral health advice prescribed by the dentist.
In a general dental practice environment the dental nurse may work in several areas of the surgery including: reception duties (making appointments), payments and banking, and getting involved in the administration of the practice. The varying roles that a dental nurse might undertake will depend upon the practices’ particular requirements.
What qualities are essential for a dental nurse?
A dental nurse is usually the patients’ first contact on entering the dentist’s surgery. People are often very nervous while visiting dentist and a dental nurse must be able to put the patient at ease – a dental nurse needs good people skills. In the surgery a dental nurse needs to be able to work quickly and keep calm. As some of the chair-side work can be very precise, a dental nurse is expected to have a high degree of manual dexterity.
Course pattern of dental nursing
Students undergo continuous assessment throughout the training programme, both at the training centre and at the dental practice. Regular meetings between the dentist and tutor is held to discuss students progress and commitment to the course. Homework, class work and work placement reports will be used at these meetings.
Objective of dental nursing studies programme
Any course or programme that aims to prepare students for the profession of dental nursing must demonstrate the role of a dental nurse within a variety of dental settings. It must teach how to prepare and maintain the clinical environment for a range of clinical procedures. Also demonstrate the recording of information presented to them by a dental clinician relating to the patients dental and oral tissues. In addition the course must discuss how to maintain patient confidentiality and patient data protection and show how to maintain health and safety for self, members of the dental team, patients and visitors. Professionalism and acting within own field of competence is required as well as know-how of basic life support and the ability to support the dental team during a medical emergency.
With increasing awareness more people would be willing to spend on dental health creating demand for more dental clinics. This demand cannot be fulfilled without the support of dental nurses Hence, in coming years, dental nursing will be a sought after profession.
Who should opt for a dental nursing career?
If one’s calm, good with people, interested in dentistry and keen to train on the job, becoming a dental nurse could be a good option for them.
Being a dental nurse will provide one with an opportunity to work in a dental setting and to be a part of dental team.
The challenges for a dental nurse will be having to work with people who are scared of the dentist so one has to know how to put people at their ease.
The ideal dentist : dental nurse ratio should be 1:1.
With 25,000 graduate dentists passing out each year and a vast pool of registered dentists, there is huge scope for those who seek to make a career as a dental nurse.
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