Best Dental Suction Techniques A Dentist Should Know
Fear of visiting the dentist and undergoing oral surgery can make patients reluctant to seek dental care and increase their discomfort when they do. Many Americans suffer from some form of dental anxiety. Oral surgery to treat cavities, infections, broken teeth, and jaw and gingival health issues are among the most common medical procedures.
Know When and Why to Suction
Mobile dental suction machine is almost always necessary to remove excess saliva and fluids during a dental procedure. Suctioning also maintains a clean oral cavity and can prevent choking and aspiration.
You must also suction patients when:
They cannot swallow or clear the airway on their own.
Equipment or a tooth breaks, posing an immediate risk of aspiration or choking.
The patient expresses discomfort from accumulating saliva or other fluids.
Basic Suctioning Techniques
The following dental suction techniques ensure a safe and comfortable procedure for the patient:
Talk to the patient about the procedure before beginning, especially if the patient suffers from dental anxiety.
For routine dental procedures, discuss the treatment plan with the dentist before beginning. This is doubly important if the dentist will be treating several areas of the mouth because you and the dentist will have to work around one another.
Position suctioning equipment so that it does not suction oral tissue such as the gums or tongue.
Avoid obstructing the dentist’s mirror or line of sight. Do not touch any of the dentist’s equipment with the suction tip. This may require frequent changes of position.
Do not directly suction the middle of the patient’s throat, because this can cause pain, choking, and gagging.
Monitor for broken teeth, damaged equipment, and any other risk factors for choking and aspiration. Promptly responding to an unexpected emergency can prevent choking.
Position the high-volume evacuation (HVE) attachment opposite the dentist’s handpiece. It should be lateral and very close to the aerosol-producing instrument—usually just 1-2 centimeters away.
As with any medical procedure, it’s important to reassure the patient, especially when there are unusual noises or the patient coughs or gags.
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