DENTAL ASSISTING COURSE OUTLINE

Dental Assistant Course Description

Semester I

FUNDAMENTALS OF DENTAL ASSISTING THEORY I
This course include an introduction to the history of the dental profession, dental assisting functions, responsibilities, ethics, operative dentistry, pharmacology,  and the main academic principles and theories employed in the specialties. This course runs concurrently with the Chairside Laboratory course and correlates the academics with the practical application.

FUNDAMENTALS OF DENTAL ASSISTING LAB I
The Fundamentals of Dental Assisting Lab teaches the students the basics of maintaining the dental unit, barrier protection, handwashing and gloves, use of PPE’s, sterilization, manipulation of cements, handpiece and rotary instrument care, coronal scaling and polishing, sealants, fluoride treatment, oral hygiene techniques, and vital signs.  The course is an adjunct to the Fundamentals of Dental Assisting Theory and Chairside Lab.

DENTAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT I
This course focuses on business skills to operate a successful dental practice. This course discusses the front office aspect of dentistry, the importance of effective communication, the managing of clinical records, the handling of business and financial records, and researching employment opportunities. Students will learn how the business of dentistry is changing to meet the needs of today’s market and patients. Students will explore the professional dental practice software, “DENTRIX.                                                    

PSYCHOLOGY
This course focuses on communication and the practical application of therapeutic communication in a variety of patient situations.  Applications are current with today’s working environment including coverage of the impact of the information age on communications, human relations, and interacting with patients. In addition, the course will cover a wide variety of client profiles and appropriate therapeutic responses for stress, anger, suicide, depression, drug dependency, abuse, loss, and grief.

DENTAL SCIENCE I
The Dental Science course introduces the student to basic terminology, charting, preventative principles of dentistry, oral hygiene care, and morphology and histology of the oral tissues. 

CHAIRSIDE LAB I
Chairside Lab teaches students the techniques used at chairside for fourhanded dentistry.  The students practice procedures used in the general dental office, as well as the dental specialty offices. The course is designed to prepare the students for clinical externship.

RADIOLOGY THEORY I
The Radiology Theory course is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge and understanding of radiographic film including; composition, developing process, digital imaging and its development. The fundamentals of dental radiology including the production and absorption of ionizing radiation; the factors related to the production of radiographs and radiographic projection; radiation biology and hygiene; radiographic surveys by means of the paralleling, bisecting angle and extraoral techniques. Projection, exposure and processing pitfalls, normal radiographic anatomy, and the interpretation of common diseases of the teeth and bone including developmental disturbances are also taught in this course.  At the completion of the course, the student should be able to expose, process, and interpret diagnostically acceptable radiographs on patients utilizing the principles as presented.

RADIOLOGY LAB I
The Radiology Lab introduces the students to the basic principles of ionizing radiographic intraoral and extraoral projection utilizing the paralleling and bisecting technique. Hands on manipulation of instrumentation with snap-a-ray, stabes, XCP, BAI and hemostats. Darkroom techniques utilizing manual and automatic processing, duplication and processing of films, digital imaging, mounting, and evaluation of radiographs recognizing processing and exposing errors are completed by each student. The lab includes four complete mouth radiographic surveys exposed on patients.

DENTAL MATERIALS THEORY I
Dental Materials is a study of the composition and properties of materials used in the contemporary practice of dentistry. Emphasis is placed on procedures for which the dental assistant is directly responsible. The course is designed to run concurrently with the Prosthetics Lab I Course.

PROSTHETICS LAB I
Prosthetics Lab I is a comprehensive lab that introduces the students to the basic principles of manipulation of impression materials, gypsum, waxes, resins, and metals used in the fabrication of replacement prostheses, mouth guards, and bleaching trays.The lab procedures are demonstrated emphasizing techniques, use, and storage of materials. The students are then observed during their manipulation of materials and responsible for fabrication of special dental appliances.

TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS I
This course includes a thorough review of the basic rules governing language arts and application to business documents, including letters, memos, e-mails, reports, résumés, minutes, news releases, and announcements. Computerized proofreading applications are integrated throughout the text to provide opportunities for students to practice the on-screen proofreading, editing, and formatting of documents. This course teaches students to identify and correct errors in spelling, word division, formatting of business documents, sentence construction, punctuation, capitalization, and number expression. Emphasis is placed on editing for content, clarity, and conciseness.

COMPUTERS FOR DENTAL ASSISTANTS I
This is an integrated introductory course that explores the use of computers in a dental office environment. Through hands on experience students will learn about computer hardware and software.  They will use the Windows XP operating system, Microsoft Word, and will become familiar with the Internet and email. 

INFECTION CONTROL I
The Infection Control course is designed to teach the students the principles of Universal and Standard Precautions as designated by OSHA, CDC, and the ADA. The principles of sterilization, barrier protection, personal protective equipment, chemical use, disinfectants, and all related areas are taught. The course helps to prepare the student for the ICE examination.

Semester II

FUNDAMENTALS OF DENTAL ASSISTING II
This is a continuation of Fundamentals of Dental Assisting I.

FUNDAMENTALS OF DENTAL ASSISTING LAB II
This is a continuation of Fundamentals of Dental Assisting Lab I.

DENTAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT II
This is a continuation of Dental Office Management I.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES:
This course emphasizes the emergency procedures to be instituted in case of an accident, injury, or illness that might occur in a dental office or other facility.  CPR Certification is required.  Circulatory, respiratory, prevention, preparation for an emergency, and drug related emergencies are covered in detail.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY:
This course covers anatomy and physiology of the cellular tissues, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, and digestive systems. The main focus is placed on the interrelationship of the systems, related terminology, and diseases with emphasis placed on dental related conditions.

DENTAL SCIENCE II
The second semester involves a detailed study of the anatomy of the head and neck; basic pathology with emphasis on diseases of the oral region, study of microbial life, emphasizing morphological characteristics, physiological activities; and disease production.

CHAIRSIDE LAB II
Continuation of Chairside Lab I, this course is a two-semester lab course that teaches students the techniques used at chairside for fourhanded dentistry. The students practice procedures used in the general dental office, as well as the dental specialty offices. The course is designed to train and prepare the students for clinical externship.

NUTRITION
This course is designed to give the students a background in nutrition concepts to help them understand the importance of a well balanced diet in the overall functioning of the body. The major nutrients are each taken individually and discussed in detail. The value and the deficiency of the nutrients are analyzed and related to the body with emphasis on dental health.

RADIOLOGY THEORY II
This is a continuation of Radiology Theory I.

RADIOLOGY LAB II
This is a continuation of Radiology Lab I.

PROSTHETICS LAB II
This is a continuation of Fundamentals of Prosthetics Lab I.

TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION II
This is a continuation of Technical Communications I.

COMPUTERS FOR DENTAL ASSISTANTS II
This is a continuation of Computers for Dental Assistants I.

INFECTION CONTROL II
This is a continuation of Infection Control I.

CLINICAL EXTERNSHIP
Clinical externship provides further refinement of clinical skills in preparation for employment. The focus is on clinical chairside procedures that are routinely performed by a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).  Placements are with local dental offices, clinics, and off-site facilities. The students are required to complete all assigned clinical hours.

DENTAL ASSISTING     ESTIMATED EXPENSES