The Program
Course Clock Hours
104 clock hours Total
NOTE: All courses provide an overview of and introduction to the topics taught. The objective of each course is to provide vocabulary used in the dental office, demonstrate tasks performed, and allow students to practice these skills. These are short courses and are not intended to cover the subject matter in-depth. Successful completion of the course satisfies the requirements of the DANB (Dental Assistant National Board) and qualifies the student to make application to take the State approved X-ray technology exam given by DANB. Each session is 4 hours in length. Courses are given as shown. Prerequisite for each course is completion of the previous course. One clock hour equals 50 minutes of lecture or lab.
| Class Number and Name | Lecture/Lab |
|---|---|
| 101. Role of the Dental Assistant, The Dental Office, the History of Dentistry, Head and Tooth Anatomy The student is introduced to the role of the dental assistant as part of the dental team and is oriented to the physical set-up of a dental office. The session includes introduction to the anatomy of teeth and their surrounding structures and the names of individual teeth. The student is given an overview of selected anatomical structures of and in the human skull as they relate to clinical dentistry. | 2/2 |
| 102. Dental Treatment Specialists and Insurance, Tooth Terminology, and Patient Charts The component dental treatment disciplines and the types of patient dental insurance are defined and discussed. The student learns the descriptive terminology of tooth surfaces and the 6 classifications of cavities and the use of and need for patient charts and charting. | 1/3 |
| 103. Basic Instruments, Equipment, and Office Familiarization This session includes demonstration and student handling of most commonly used hand instruments and their variations. Included are: hand pieces, burs, excavators, mirrors and explorers, carvers and files, and operative dentistry instruments. Students are introduced to dental office rooms and equipment, treatment rooms, sterilization and supply areas, laboratory, darkroom, reception, and other rooms including central vac and compressor. | 1/3 |
| 104. Study Models, Impressions, Pouring, Trimming, and Wax Bites The instructor demonstrates study models, impressions, pouring, trimming, and wax bites. Students complete hands-on tasks and take upper and lower impressions and wax bites on each other. These procedures are completed in the operatory. Students then mix plaster/stone, pour, trim and mount their own models. Students keep the final product. | 1/3 |
| 105. Amalgam, Composites, Tub, and Tray Systems The session begins with a definition and discussion of operative dentistry, and examples of the 6 cavity preparations. Amalgams are presented including components, uses, instruments used in procedure, procedures and responsibilities of dental assistant, and amalgams with pins. A presentation of composites is given including components, uses, instruments used in procedure, procedures and responsibilities of dental assistant, and composites with pins. Esthetic veneers are presented. Students also learn about tub and tray systems including amalgam tub materials and tray instruments, and composite tub materials and tray materials. | 1/3 |
| 106. OSHA, HIV, Sterilization, Cements, Liners, and Waxes In this session students learn the definition of sterilization, methods, guidelines, patient medical history, infection control, prevention of contamination, the use of protective eyewear, masks, and gloves, and barriers to infection, with specific attention to HIV, its methods of transmission and prevention in the treatment of the HIV infected patient. In addition, verification of infection, disinfection, care of treatment room, handling and disposal of hazardous waste, handling soiled instruments, hand pieces, burs and water and air syringes are presented. The who, what, and why of OSHA is discussed. Students learn the purpose and types of cements. The session also covers the types and uses of cavity liners and varnishes. Types and uses of waxes are also presented. Students will handle and mix the associated cements, cavity liners, varnishes and handle and manipulate the various waxes. | 1/3 |
| 107. Four-handed Dentistry, Isolation, and Rubber Dam Four-handed dentistry is presented including operating zones, suction/evacuation, saliva ejectors, retractors, air and water syringes, exchanging of instruments (assistant to dentist and dentist to assistant), and bur replacement. Isolation techniques are presented and include use and placement of cotton rolls and gauze. The definition and reason for use of rubber dams is presented along with associated equipment and how to place and remove. Students role-play by rotating through each position acting as the dentist, assistant, and patient and performing the procedures taught. | 1/3 |
| 108. Review of Subject Matter to Date and Mid Term Exam | 4/0 |
| 109. Radiology Theory, Safety, and Practice Students learn the history and background of radiology and radiation physics. They are instructed in the components of dental x-ray machine, types of radiation, visual characteristics of the radiographic beam, radiation effects and measurement. They learn the purposes of x-rays as a diagnostic tool, with their risks and benefits. Detailed description of the effect of radiation exposure to the human body and the protocols for patient and dental assistant safety are stressed. Students learn the legal issues and Maryland licensure requirements and the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health Safety Act. | 2/2 |
| 110. Intraoral Radiography Students learn the methods of intraoral film taking via the paralleling, bisecting angle, bitewing and occlusal techniques. They learn how to establish an exposure sequence and how to prepare the operatory before seating the patient and how to position the patient in the chair and how to position the patient with special needs. The students learn the anatomical landmarks of the upper and lower jaws and how to mount films after the developing process. | 1/3 |
| 111. Darkroom, Mounting, and Panorex Students learn the effects of film processing on the quality of a radiograph and they learn the most commonly used film holders. They learn the composition of the dental x-ray film, the film packet and how an image is created when the film is exposed by an x-ray beam. They learn about the effects of film speed and the types of dental film They learn dental x-ray film processing via the manual and automatic methodologies. | 1/3 |
| 112. Extraoral and Digital Radiography Students learn the uses of extraoral radiography and how to take panoramic radiographs, the most common errors in panoramic radiography and how to avoid them. They are shown and taught the uses of lateral jaw, temperomandibular joint (TMJ) and cephalometric radiography. They learn about digital radiography-filmless imaging. | 1/3 |
| 113. Legal Issues, Quality Assurance and Infection Control in Dental Radiography The students learn the 3 major categories of legal considerations regarding the uses of x-rays in dentistry; Federal & State regulations, licensure and risk management. They learn the Maryland licensure requirements and the Consumer Patient Radiation Health Safety Act. They learn about quality assurance in the dental office, ownership issues, patient records and informed consent. They learn what to do when patients refuse dental radiographs and the role of the dental assistant in patient education. They learn required infection control protocols in dental radiography. | 1/3 |
| 114. Review & X-Ray Exam Students will review the basics of: dental radiation and components of the x-ray unit, infection control protocols, intraoral and extraoral film taking techniques, kilovoltage, miliamperage and film speed, film exposure errors and how to avoid them, and film processing errors and how to avoid them. They also review anatomical landmarks and the definition of terms in radiography (ie; radiolucent, radiopaque, intensifying screens, etc). | 4/0 |
| 115. Crown and Bridge, Inlays, Impression Materials, and Temporaries Porcelain/metal crowns, gold crowns, and inlays on articulators and on models are used for “touch and feel” demonstrations. Students learn about indications for use of crowns and bridges and component parts. Bridges and crowns are presented including types, role of laboratory, protocol and role of dental assistants in each step. Uses of impression materials used for fixed restorative procedures are presented. Students will handle and mix all associated materials. | 1/3 |
| 116. Anesthesia, Hand Piece Maintenance, Endodontics, Orthodontics, and Pediatric Dentistry This session starts with a presentation of general, local, and topical sedation anesthesia. Delivery of local anesthesia and use of syringes cartridges, and needles is demonstrated. Students learn and practice how to individually load syringes, practice passing syringe, unload, recap and dispose of needle and cartridge. Students learn the role of assistant in pre- and post-administration of anesthesia to patient. Hand pieces are presented including types of hand pieces, sterilization, and maintenance procedures for high- and low-speed hand pieces. Includes cleaning and lubrication. Definitions and indications of endodontics are presented. Included are a review of treatment procedures, instruments, and the role and responsibilities of the dental assistant. Students learn the definition of orthodontics and the limited role in general dental practices. Pediatric dentistry (pedodontics) is presented including definition, applicability and limitations in a general dental practice, and treatments for different pediatric procedures. | 1/3 |
| 117. Oral Surgery, Removable Prosthodontics, and Periodontics Students gain an overview of dental specialty areas of oral surgery and periodontics. Included are instruments and materials used, procedures, and treatments. Students see and handle a variety of extraction forceps. Students load a scalpel blade and needle onto a needle holder and practice cleanup procedures for surgical equipment and disposal of surgical debris. Periodontal instruments are exhibited and defined as to their uses. Prosthodontics is explained, and instruments, materials, and treatment procedures are demonstrated. Students see lab models depicting the various stages of partial and full denture fabrication and demonstration of taking a full denture impression with custom tray. | 1/3 |
| 118. Before Giving Care, CPR, Abdominal Thrusts & Back Blows Students learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Heimlich, and Basic Life Support skills in a 4-hour training session that will result in being certified in CPR. Certification is for both child and adult CPR. | 0/4 |
| 119. Office Management, Patient Scheduling and Seating, Review Role of Dental Assistant This session focuses on a review of the role of the dental assistant relating to clinical dentistry. The student also learns the techniques of telephone answering, the protocol of patient scheduling, and how to make a patient comfortable. | 3/1 |
| 120. People and Dentistry, Employment Skills, and Job Interview Techniques Students learn how to deal with the people in the dental office. Includes understanding patient attitudes, reassuring the patient, personal appearance, dress codes, personal attitudes, and dental office do’s and don’ts. Job interview techniques are presented including describing the type of job the dental assistant is seeking and what they offer the employer, locating employment opportunities, constructing a resume, interviewing skills, how to answer questions, and salary negotiation. Students practice a mock job interview from the telephone response to a one-on-one interview | 4/0 |
| 121. Final General Exam Review of all general dental assisting responsibilities and protocols and written examination. | 4/0 |
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EXTERNSHIP
The students will spend 20 hours in a dental office externship where they will be utilizing the skills learned throughout the course. They will be practicing skills including: 1. Those necessary to provide a safe environment for patients and dental staff. 2. Demonstrating an understanding of basic dental theory as it relates to patient treatment. 3. Performance of chair side and clinical skills knowledgeably and proficiently. 4. Effective communication skills, both written and oral, when dealing with dental patients and the dental health team. 5. Exhibiting a professional and collaborative work ethic that recognizes the legal and ethical responsibility of those employed in the dental field. ** Prerequisite for scheduling the externship is passing the first 2 quizzes and the mid-term exam |
0/20 |
