NEBDN Diploma (Dental Nursing) flashcards

31 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Number of permanent teeth

The permanent dentition contains 32 teeth, eight per quadrant from central incisor to third molar. The primary dentition has 20 teeth, five per quadrant, with no premolars.

FDI two-digit notation

The first digit identifies the quadrant (1 upper right, 2 upper left, 3 lower left, 4 lower right); the second digit identifies the tooth position 1-8 counting from the midline.

Mesial and distal surfaces

Mesial is the tooth surface facing toward the dental midline; distal faces away from it. Both terms apply in all quadrants and are used for charting and restoration descriptions.

Enamel characteristics

Enamel is the hardest tissue in the body, highly mineralised and acellular. It cannot regenerate once destroyed, so early caries prevention and fluoride exposure are important.

Dentine and pulp

Dentine forms the bulk of the tooth and contains tubules that transmit stimuli. The pulp lies centrally and carries nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue for tooth vitality.

Gingival sulcus depth

In periodontal health the gingival sulcus is typically 1-3 mm deep. Greater probing depths suggest periodontal pocketing and possible attachment loss requiring assessment.

Caries process

Dental caries is a multifactorial, plaque-mediated demineralisation of enamel and dentine driven by fermentable carbohydrates. Fluoride, saliva and oral hygiene promote remineralisation and arrest early lesions.

Standard precautions

Standard precautions apply to every patient regardless of known infection status and include hand hygiene, gloves, eye protection, safe sharps handling and correct waste segregation.

Fainting management

For syncope, lay the patient supine with legs raised to improve cerebral perfusion, loosen tight clothing, ensure fresh air and monitor. Recovery is usually rapid once cerebral blood flow is restored.

Anaphylaxis first-line drug

Adrenaline 0.5 mg intramuscularly (1:1000 concentration) into the anterolateral thigh, with high-flow oxygen. Repeat after five minutes if no improvement while emergency help is summoned.

Autoclave validation methods

Sterilisation is validated by physical monitoring of temperature and pressure, chemical indicators on packs, and biological spore tests. Instruments must be cleaned and inspected before sterilisation.

Handpiece water quality

Dental unit waterlines can harbour biofilm, so they are flushed at the start of each session and managed under a water quality programme to limit microbial contamination of aerosols.

Sharps injury first action

Encourage bleeding from the wound, wash with soap and water without scrubbing, cover with a waterproof dressing and report immediately so risk assessment and post-exposure prophylaxis can follow.

Four-handed dentistry

A working method where the nurse anticipates and passes instruments within the dentist's field of vision, using preset sequencing to reduce fatigue and treatment time.

Rubber dam application

A latex or non-latex sheet isolates the operative field, protects the airway from debris and keeps the site dry. Dental nurses may place and remove it when trained and competent.

Local anaesthetic cartridge

A standard dental cartridge holds 2.2 ml of solution. Maximum safe doses are calculated by patient weight and the vasoconstrictor used, so the nurse should record the amount administered.

GDC Scope of Practice

The GDC document defining tasks dental nurses may perform, such as history taking, oral health education, impressions and topical fluoride, when trained, competent and appropriately supervised.

Three elements of consent

Valid consent requires the patient to have capacity, be given sufficient information to make the decision, and act voluntarily without coercion. It should be documented in the record.

Mental Capacity Act 2005

This Act presumes capacity. A person lacks capacity if unable to understand, retain, weigh or communicate relevant information. Decisions are then made in their best interests.

Best interests decision

When a patient lacks capacity, decisions must consider their past and present wishes, involve relatives or advocates, and choose the least restrictive option that meets their needs.

Confidentiality exceptions

Patient information may be shared without consent where required by law, court order, or where there is a serious public interest risk that outweighs the duty of confidentiality.

Contemporaneous record keeping

Clinical records should be made at the time of the event or as soon as possible afterwards, dated, signed, legible and factual, avoiding subjective or derogatory comments.

Record retention period

Adult records are commonly retained for 11 years after the last treatment; children's records are typically kept until age 25. Local policy and legal requirements should be followed.

Safeguarding duty

Dental nurses must recognise possible signs of abuse or neglect, record observations objectively, and report concerns to the safeguarding lead or authority without conducting their own investigation.

GDPR breach reporting

Personal data breaches that pose a risk to rights and freedoms must be reported to the Information Commissioner's Office within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach.

GDC CPD requirement

Dental nurses complete a minimum of 10 hours of CPD per two-year cycle, including at least 2 hours on medical emergencies and 2 hours on disinfection and decontamination.

Duty of candour

A professional and legal obligation to be open and honest when something goes wrong, informing the patient, apologising, explaining what happened and recording the discussion.

Raising concerns

GDC Standards require registrants to raise concerns promptly where patient safety or public protection is at risk, using local channels first where appropriate and escalating if unresolved.

Working within competence

Registrants must only undertake tasks they are trained and competent to perform, and must recognise limits by referring to or seeking help from a suitably qualified colleague.

Data minimisation principle

Under data protection law, only the personal data necessary for the specified purpose should be collected and retained, and it should be kept accurate and securely stored.

Patient access to records

Patients have a legal right to access their dental records, usually via a written subject access request. Requests should be handled within the statutory timeframe set by data protection law.