RDA (AMT) cheat sheet

Four-handed dentistry zones: operator 7–12 o'clock, assistant 2–4 o'clock, transfer zone 4–7 o'clock, static zone 12–2 o'clock.

Air-turbine high-speed handpieces rotate at approximately 300,000–450,000 rpm; low-speed handpieces operate at roughly 20,000–40,000 rpm.

The high-volume evacuator tip bevel is held parallel to the tooth surface, 1–2 mm from the preparation margin, to capture aerosol and debris.

Universal numbering: permanent teeth 1–32 starting at the maxillary right third molar; primary teeth A–T; FDI uses two digits (quadrant 1–4, tooth 1–8).

For a Class II restoration the Tofflemire matrix band encircles the tooth and the retainer is tightened from the buccal aspect; a wedge holds the band gingivally.

Alginate is proportioned approximately 1 scoop powder to 1 scoop water by volume, spatulated about 1 minute, with working time near 2 minutes.

A 2% lidocaine cartridge (1.8 mL) contains 36 mg of drug; maximum adult dose is about 7 mg/kg with vasoconstrictor and 4.4 mg/kg without.

Instrument grasps are the pen grasp, palm grasp, and palm-thumb grasp; the pen grasp gives the greatest tactile precision.

Intraoral sutures are typically removed 5–7 days after placement, after assessing tissue healing and hemostasis.

The chain of infection has six links: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host; breaking any link prevents transmission.

Spaulding classification: critical items (bone/surgical) require sterilization; semicritical items (mucosa contact) require high-level disinfection or sterilization; noncritical items require low-level disinfection.

Gravity-displacement steam autoclave parameters: 121 °C (250 °F) at 15 psi for 15–20 minutes; flash cycles run near 132 °C (270 °F) for about 4 minutes.

Biological monitoring: Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores for steam and chemical vapor units; Bacillus atrophaeus spores for dry heat and ethylene oxide; documented weekly.

Handwashing with soap and water lasts at least 15–20 seconds; alcohol-based rub is acceptable only when hands are not visibly soiled.

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires a written exposure control plan reviewed annually and hepatitis B vaccine offered free within 10 working days of assignment.

Post-exposure protocol: wash the site with soap and water, report immediately, test source and exposed worker, and start HIV post-exposure prophylaxis ideally within 2 hours (no later than 72 hours).

High-level disinfection of semicritical items commonly uses 2.4% glutaraldehyde for about 20 minutes at room temperature, with immersion and ventilation precautions.

Mercury spill management: never vacuum; use sulfur powder or amalgam alloy to amalgamate droplets, collect into a sealed labeled container, and recycle via a licensed handler.

mAs = mA × exposure time (seconds); mAs governs the quantity of photons and receptor density, while kVp governs beam penetrability and image contrast.

15% rule: increasing kVp by 15% approximately doubles receptor exposure, so mAs is halved to maintain density.

Inverse square law: intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source; doubling source-to-receptor distance reduces intensity to one quarter.

Patient shielding requires a lead apron of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent plus a thyroid collar during intraoral exposures.

Film speed: F-speed requires about 60% less exposure than D-speed; direct digital sensors reduce exposure roughly 50–80% compared with D-speed film.

Beam restriction: rectangular collimation and a longer (16-inch) position-indicating device both reduce patient skin dose versus a short PID with round collimation.

Occupational dose limit for radiation workers is 50 mSv (5 rem) per year; the limit for the general public is 1 mSv (0.1 rem) per year above background.

SLOB rule: on a horizontal shift, an object moving in the same direction as the tube head is lingual; moving opposite is buccal (same = lingual, opposite = buccal).

Manual processing: developer is held near 20 °C (68 °F) for about 5 minutes using time-temperature charts; overdevelopment produces dark films, underdevelopment light films.

The state dental practice act defines permitted duties, supervision levels, and expanded functions; the state board of dentistry enforces it and licenses practitioners.

Direct supervision: dentist authorizes the procedure, is on the premises, and evaluates the patient before dismissal; indirect supervision: dentist on premises but not in the operatory; general supervision: dentist authorized in advance but is not on premises.

Non-delegable dentist duties include diagnosis, treatment planning, prescription of drugs, and surgical procedures; delegation beyond statutory scope is unlicensed practice.

Malpractice requires four elements: duty owed, breach of the standard of care, causation, and damages.

Respondeat superior makes an employer legally liable for negligent acts of employees performed within the scope of employment.

HIPAA breach notification must reach affected individuals without unreasonable delay and no later than 60 days after discovery; the minimum-necessary standard limits PHI use and disclosure.

The ADA Code of Ethics rests on five principles: patient autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and veracity.

Informed consent requires disclosure of diagnosis, proposed treatment, material risks and benefits, alternatives including no treatment, and voluntary patient agreement; minors require a parent or guardian.

Dental records are owned by the practice, but patients are entitled to copies of their records, and retention periods are set by state law.

Normal adult vital signs: blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg, pulse 60–100 beats per minute, respirations 12–20 per minute, oral temperature near 37 °C (98.6 °F).

ASA physical status classification ranges I (healthy) through VI (brain-dead organ donor); ASA III and above raises the threshold for medical consultation before elective care.

5% sodium fluoride varnish contains about 22,600 ppm fluoride and is applied two to four times yearly for patients at elevated caries risk.

Critical plaque pH is approximately 5.5; below this value enamel demineralizes, and the Stephan curve shows pH recovery taking roughly 20–30 minutes after a sugar exposure.

Modified Bass brushing angles bristles 45 degrees to the gingival margin with short vibratory strokes; brushing lasts 2 minutes twice daily with a soft brush.

Vasodepressor syncope (the most common dental emergency) is managed by placing the patient supine with legs elevated and monitoring airway, breathing, and circulation.

Anaphylaxis is treated with intramuscular epinephrine 0.3 mg (1:1000) for adults and 0.15 mg for children, repeated in 5–15 minutes as needed.

Tobacco cessation counseling uses the 5 A's: Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange.

Tell-show-do is a behavior-shaping sequence: describe the procedure in simple words, demonstrate the instruments or sensations, then perform the step as described.