samirqazi (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Thank you for your appreciation. This is the protocol as in use a few months ago in our institution. They do use rubber dam for some procedures and there was a drive to use rubber dam for all restorative procedures a while ago- but this is how things stand at the moment.Being an Oral Surgeon, this is all I can say on this issue :)

jamesdds (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

i like a lot you infection control guideline but i think you forgot the most important barrier (rubber dam)

samirqazi (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

You may note from the title that these are guidelines for the procedure without an assistant, as students working in our institution do not have any assistance. There is only one bottle of cement, and similarly strict control over amalgam dispensation to control pilferage. In third world countries we have to make do with limited resources. Still you will find our graduates extremely competent in their work- with 250 fillings, 250 extractions, 8 full dentures and 60 scalings before graduation.

Kathespoonmonkey (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

This is really different to the dental assiting that I know in the U.S. Why do you have to go to different stations to collect supplies? Is that customary in Pakistan?

samirqazi (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

so do you recommend not using amalgam restorations?

TungstenVirago (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Mercury = Neurotoxin...