SmileSystems School of Dental Assisting Blog

How is it that suctioning saliva and debris from a patient's mouth is so difficult? The inside of the patient's mouth is made up of mucous membrane, a very fragile type of tissue. If you want to learn how to perform this necessary skill excellently, then these suctioning tips may help you. At the SmileSystems School of Dental Assisting, we teach a well-practiced method of oral irrigation that is very effective.

1) You must learn "a soft touch" — that is, how to contact oral tissues without causing trauma. Practice approaching the border of the patient's lip by SLOWING DOWN the movement of the HVE tip. Once you reach the entrance to the oral cavity, move the HVE tip in SLOW Motion as you suction. As your (this is a practice technique to develop sensitivity) 'slow motion' skill level improves, you can move the tip a bit more rapidly.

2) Pretend the HVE tip is as sharp as a razor!  If you imagine the plastic or metal HVE end is sharp, like a knife, you'll be more careful as you approach the sensitive soft tissues.

3) Move the HVE device inside the mouth with great care to just barely touch the pink soft tissue. Never rest the sharp end of the tip against the gingiva adjacent to a tooth. Touch the tooth instead. Sweep the tip to the posterior of the mouth with great care, being cautious not to touch the super sensitive soft palate or uvula.

4) Use an extra mouth mirror. Make it a habit to pick up and hold a mouth mirror in your free hand  to help you retract, gain better access and see the operating field more clearly.

5) Monitor the build-up of liquid and debris. When the fluids begin to collect in the anterior (floor of the patient's mouth), you can be sure there is plenty of liquid in the back as well. Get the pool of saliva and water building in the front, then automatically sweep the suction tip to the deep posterior molar area on your side. This will keep the total liquid content from bothering the patient and hindering the doctor's visual field.

6) Your doctor should never have to ask you suction. You have to take the initiative and just keep removing the fluids and debris. Be gentle. Be careful. Be thorough. Learn these and you will be excellent at suction science.