NZ Dental Therapy REX key terms

A patient's voluntary agreement to treatment after receiving and understanding information about its nature, benefits, risks, alternatives and the consequences of declining. It must be obtained before care and can be withdrawn at any time.

A person's ability to understand, retain and weigh information about a treatment decision and communicate that decision. Capacity is assessed for each specific decision and may change over time or with support.

The principle used when a patient lacks capacity, requiring decisions to be made to benefit that person while considering their known wishes, values and the least restrictive option. It guides advocacy on their behalf.

The defined range of activities a dental therapist is trained, competent and legally authorised to perform. Working outside it, or beyond personal competence, may breach professional standards and endanger patients.

The arrangement in which a dental therapist works under the oversight of a dentist, ranging from direct chairside presence to indirect or remote availability. The required level depends on the task and local regulations.

The formal process of transferring responsibility for an aspect of a patient's care to another practitioner with the appropriate skills or authority. It should be timely, documented and communicated to the patient.

Acting to protect and promote a patient's rights, needs and preferences, including when they cannot speak for themselves. It may involve raising concerns, supporting access to care or escalating unsafe situations.

Reporting a serious concern about unsafe or unethical practice, internally or to an external authority. It is a professional duty when patients are at risk and is protected when done in good faith.

The duty to protect patient information from unauthorised disclosure. Sharing is permitted only with consent or where law requires or allows it, such as for safety or public health reasons.

The rules governing collection, storage, use and access of patient records and personal data. Practitioners must store records securely, limit access to those who need it and respond correctly to requests for information.

The contemporaneous, accurate and legible documentation of assessment findings, diagnoses, treatment, consent and communications. Records support continuity of care, legal defence and quality review and are the patient's property in many jurisdictions.

Routine infection-control measures applied to all patients regardless of known status, including hand hygiene, gloves, eye protection, gowns and safe handling of sharps. They assume every body fluid may be infectious.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based rub at the correct moments, such as before and after patient contact and after glove removal. It is the single most effective way to prevent cross-infection.

Barriers worn to prevent exposure to blood, saliva and aerosols, including gloves, masks, eye protection and gowns. It must be appropriate to the task, changed between patients and removed safely.

The absence of pathogenic microorganisms achieved by sterile technique and clean field management. In dental therapy it applies to procedures that breach mucosa or involve sterile instruments.

The process that destroys all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, on reusable instruments. It requires cleaning, packaging, correct autoclave loading, monitoring and validated cycles.

Verification that a steriliser is working, using physical indicators, chemical indicators and biological spore tests. Records must be kept and failed cycles must trigger investigation and corrective action.

An injury caused by a needle or other sharp instrument, creating risk of bloodborne transmission. It requires immediate first aid, reporting, risk assessment and, where indicated, post-exposure prophylaxis and follow-up.

Material contaminated with blood or saliva, such as used gloves, gauze and sharps, that must be segregated and disposed of according to local regulations. Correct handling prevents exposure to staff and the public.

A structured record of a patient's past and current health, medications, allergies and relevant family and social factors. It informs risk assessment, treatment modification and the need for medical consultation.

The process of identifying factors that increase the chance of disease or of an adverse event during treatment, then deciding how to manage them. It combines clinical findings, history and patient behaviours.

A structured evaluation of factors that predict future tooth decay, such as diet, fluoride exposure, oral hygiene, saliva and past lesions. It guides the intensity of prevention and recall intervals.

A brief assessment of the gums and supporting tissues using visual signs and a probe, such as bleeding on probing and pocket depth, to detect disease and decide whether full assessment is needed.

A standardised screening method that scores the worst probing depth and bleeding in each sextant, usually using a specially marked probe. It categorises patients into care pathways and triggers referral when scores are high.

Seeking advice from, or informing, a patient's medical practitioner or specialist before treatment when health conditions, medications or pregnancy may affect care. It should be documented and the response acted upon.

The identification of a patient's condition from history, examination and investigations, which forms the basis of a treatment plan. It is provisional until confirmed and reviewed as new information emerges.

A list of possible conditions that could explain a patient's signs and symptoms, ranked by likelihood. It guides which investigations or referrals are needed to reach a firm diagnosis.

An agreed sequence of care that addresses the patient's diagnosed needs, priorities and preferences, including prevention, active treatment and review. It should record alternatives, consent and expected outcomes.

A concentrated fluoride coating applied to tooth surfaces to prevent and arrest decay. It is applied to clean, dried teeth and patients are advised to avoid brushing and hard food for a period afterwards.

A resin coating placed in the pits and grooves of teeth to prevent decay by blocking plaque retention. It is most effective when placed on sound or early lesions in high-risk patients.

A collaborative conversation style that helps patients explore and resolve ambivalence about behaviour change, such as oral hygiene or smoking. It uses open questions, reflection and affirmation rather than advice-giving.

The process by which a person adopts and sustains healthier actions, influenced by motivation, capability and opportunity. Support includes goal setting, feedback and addressing barriers rather than instruction alone.

A person's ability to find, understand and use health information to make decisions. Practitioners should use plain language, check understanding and adapt materials to meet individual needs.

The planned time between review appointments, set according to disease risk, age and stability rather than a fixed schedule. High-risk patients need shorter intervals and more preventive support.

A minimally invasive technique that removes soft decayed tissue using hand instruments and restores the cavity with adhesive material. It suits anxious patients, children and settings without powered equipment.

A drug that reversibly blocks nerve conduction to produce numbness in a specific area for treatment. Safe use requires correct dosing, aspiration, knowledge of anatomy and monitoring for adverse reactions.

A sheet placed over the teeth and secured to isolate the treatment field from saliva and soft tissues. It improves visibility, protects the airway and supports moisture-sensitive materials.

Techniques that help patients, especially children and anxious adults, cope with dental care, such as tell-show-do, distraction and positive reinforcement. They aim to build trust without coercion.

The formal recording of adverse events, near misses and hazards so they can be investigated and prevented from recurring. Reporting should be timely, factual and free from blame.

A structured review that examines why an adverse event occurred by tracing contributing factors in systems, processes and communication. It produces recommendations rather than assigning individual blame.

A quality improvement cycle that compares current practice with an agreed standard, then implements changes and re-measures. It shows whether care is effective, safe and consistent with guidelines.

A sudden, life-threatening event such as syncope, anaphylaxis or hypoglycaemia during care. Management requires a trained team, an accessible emergency kit, oxygen, drugs and a practised action plan.

Trained language professionals used to support communication with patients who do not share the practitioner's language. Using them, rather than family members, protects accuracy, consent and confidentiality.

An approach that involves parents or caregivers as partners in a child's care while respecting the child's developing autonomy. It recognises that children's health is shaped by their family context.