edge in the same manner. After the dentist and scrub assistant are draped, the circulating assistant will drape the patient.
Draping The Patient The drapes remaining in the drape pack are for the patient. The drape pack consists of a body drape, head drape, and four sterile towel clamps. Additional drapes may be used, depending on the preference of the dentist. The scrub assistant will drape the patient in the following manner:
1. Grasp the corners of the body drape. Lift it up and away from the pack, allowing it to unfold. Hold the drape so that a small cuff is formed across the top. Be sure that the drape does not come into contact with unsterile items. Do not shake the drape.
2. Carry the drape to the patient and place the top edge directly under the patient's chin and over the shoulders. The remainder of the drape should cover the patient's chest and upper thighs.
3. Grasp the corners of the head drape and remove from the pack in the same manner as the body drape. The cuffed portion of the inner drape should be up and folded away from you.
4. Place the top of the drape over the headrest of the dental chair (fig. 5-56).
Figure 5-56. - Top of the head drape placed over the headrest.
5. Grasp the inner drape by the corners and draw the left side of the drape over the patient's left eye and the bridge of the nose. Then draw the right side of the drape over the patient's right eye and the bridge of the nose. Using a sterile towel clamp, fasten the two sides of the head drape together.
6. Using a sterile towel clamp, fasten the left side of the head drape to the left side of the body drape; then do the same thing on the right side. The patient is now completely draped and ready for the surgical procedure.
Surgical procedures cover the duties of the circulating assistant and the scrub assistant during the procedure. Because of the importance of maintaining asepsis in the operating room, this section will begin with a discussion of certain rules of the aseptic technique.
These rules are designed to help you avoid contaminating instruments and materials during oral surgery. By following them closely, you will greatly reduce the possibility of introducing cross- contamination into the oral cavity during the surgical procedure.
1. An article is either sterile or unsterile. If there is any doubt, consider the article unsterile and discard it immediately.
2. Do not open a sterile pack or container until the article(s) is/are required.
3. If you are the circulating assistant, touch only the outside edges of the wrapper when opening a sterile pack. Take care when unfolding the wrapper so that the inside does not brush against your clothing. If you are the scrub assistant, never touch the outside of a pack.
4. Wear sterile gloves and change gloves if they become punched or torn. Make sure you discard the contaminated gloves.
5. Remove sterile articles from a pack or a container by lifting them straight up and out. Never drag an article over the edge of a pack or a container.
6. Once an article is removed from a sterile pack or a container, do not place it back in the pack.Continue Reading