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The dental assisting students have access to:
DENTAL ASSISTING PROGRAM
The objective of the Dental Assisting Program is to prepare students with satisfactory skills and abilities so that the Dental Assisting Functions, such as; sterilization, impression taking, pouring up and trimming, coronal polishing, tray setups, placing rubber dams and matrices, and taking diagnostic quality x-rays. Upon satisfactory completion of the training the students will be qualifi ed to assume an entry-level position as a chairside assistant in a general dentistry practice. Orientation to Dentistry provides students with information concerning the rolls of dentists, registered dental hygienists, dental assistants, and dental laboratory technicians. Information is also given on the major areas of the dental offi ce and major pieces of equipment. Th en dental specialties are learned in this module. Alginate Impression and Diagnostic Casts Th is provides students with factors that influence the mixing and setting time of gypsum products, the uses of diagnostic casts and the criteria for acceptable impressions and casts. Coronal Polish is provides students with the procedure for performing a coronal polish. Emphasis is placed on the indications and contraindications to coronal polish. Emphasis is also placed on types of stains that are found on teeth and the types of abrasives used in polishing. Moisture Control & Instrument Transfer provides students with the basic concepts of operating zones, the uses of the zones, and how they apply to left -handed and right-handed operators. Also included in this module is the correct procedure for proper instrument transfer and maintaining moisture control throughout the procedure. Dental Anatomy Th is provides students with knowledge of the parts and tissues of the teeth, their functions, shapes, and alignment in the arches. Tooth designation systems are also explained in detail. Th e Dental Examination & Charting Th is provides students with the basic components of a complete dental examination. Emphasis is placed on the cavity classifi cations and the abbreviations used to identify tooth surfaces. Tooth diagrams, numbering systems, and color-coding are taught for recording the dentist’s fi ndings on the dental chart. Disease Transmission Th is provides students with the modes of disease transmission in the dental practice. Identifi cation of the diseases of major concern to dental healthcare workers, types of personal protective equipment and guidelines for the use of each are also taught. Disinfection and Treatment Room Care Th is provides the students knowledge of infection control measures to be taken in the dental offi ce. Th e student will learn levels of disinfection and sterilization and how to use protective barriers to prepare a treatment area. Sterilization provides students with information concerning appropriate methods of sterilization. Th is module also helps the students to become familiar with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended Infection Control Practices for Dentistry. Dental Instruments provides students with knowledge of commonly used dental instruments. Major hand instruments used in restorative dentistry, handpieces, bur shapes, numbers, and the use of each. Dental Cements Th is provides students with how, why and when diff erent cements would be used. Th e student will learn the properties of each. Hazard Communication Management Th is provides the students with the roles of state and federal agencies as they relate to the well-being of dental healthcare workers. Emphasis will be placed on the responsibilities of the employer and employees under OSHA standards. Radiation Health and Safety Th is provides the students with the fundamental principles of dental radiography including the ALARA concept, the primary components of x-ray equipment, the principles of patient and operator safety that are applied during radiographic procedures. Emphasis will be placed on acquiring a diagnostic quality radiograph, in terms of contrast, density, blurred images, types and sizes of x-ray fi lm. Dental Radiography Techniques and Processing Th is provides the students with the ability to expose a diagnostic quality full-mouth survey, bite-wing survey, and occlusal radiographs. Information will also include how to properly mount, label and store radiographs. Dental Dam provides the students with knowledge regarding the precautions necessary for patient safety when placing and removing dental dam. Emphasis will be placed on indications and contraindications for use of dental dam. Restorative Dentistry Th is provides students with knowledge of the primary characteristics of amalgam and composite restorative materials. Emphasis will be placed on the steps in placing an amalgam and a composite procedure. Crown & Bridge Restorations provides students with knowledge of the characteristics of inlays, onlays, crowns, and components of a fi xed bridge. Materials will also be identifi ed that may be used to create restorations. An introduction to the CEREC Cad/Cam Machine will be made. Gingival Retraction and Elastomeric Impressions Th is provides the students with the information to properly manipulate elastomeric impression material. Emphasis will be placed upon the commonly used elastomeric impression materials and the characteristics, forms, disinfection method, and proper storage of each. Information is also given concerning when and why gingival retraction is required and the process used to place the retraction cord. Provisional Coverage Th is provides the students with the types of commonly used provisional coverage. Criteria, characteristics and manipulation of the materials used for fabricating provisional coverage will be emphasized. Preventive Dentistry provides the students with the knowledge regarding Oral Hygiene Instructions to achieve and maintain optimum oral health using the simplest, most universally accepted methods. Preventive care for children, including sealants and fl uoride will also be covered. Pain and Anxiety Control in Dentistry is designed to give the student an understanding of drugs used in dentistry, and the indications and contraindications for prescribing them. Various methods of reducing patient anxiety are also emphasized including Nitrous Oxide Gas.. Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office provides students with knowledge of basic life support techniques. Information regarding emergency care standards, supplies, and responsibilities are reviewed. Th e students are taught to recognize primary signs and symptoms of medical emergencies and the appropriate responses for them. Periodontics provides the student with information concerning periodontal disease and the diff erent classifi cations of types of periodontal involvement. Instructions will involve recording the operator’s fi nding during a periodontal examination, assisting during scaling and/or root planning. Pediatric Dentistry describes the services provided in a pediatric dental practice. Emphasis will be placed on preventive procedures, treatment for traumatic injuries, space maintenance and placement of stainless steel crowns. Endodontics provides students with the knowledge of basic endodontic procedures and instrumentation. Emphasis will be placed upon the steps of a root canal procedure and the sizes and types of cleaning and shaping instruments. Oral Surgery is designed to give the student an understanding of simple oral surgery procedures. Emphasis will be placed upon learning the diff erent forceps, elevators, and miscellaneous surgical instruments needed for surgical procedures. The student will understand the chain of asepsis, and how to perform a surgical scrub. Orthodontics provides the student with information regarding the supervision, guidance, and correction of the growing and mature dentofacial structures. Students will learn to diff erentiate between diff erent types of malocclusion, diff erent categories of orthodontic treatment, and the functions of attachment, auxiliaries and arch wires in corrective orthodontics. The Professional Dental Assistant This describes the roles of the state Dental Practice Act, and the state Board of Dentistry. Students are taught the basics of resume construction, interviewing techniques and employee’s responsibilities to their employer. The Dental Patient provides the student with knowledge concerning data gathering and its importance in the dental offi ce. Emphasis will be placed upon identifying patients’ allergies, medical conditions, and any medical treatment that may infl uence the planning of dental treatment. Complete and Partial Dentures provides the student with knowledge of the functions of complete and partial dentures. The student will understand how the missing teeth are replaced and how the oral structures will be returned to normal function. Emphasis will be placed on the assistant’s duties concerning the placement of an immediate denture and preparation and placement of a complete and/or partial denture. Custom Trays and the Use of a Vacuum Former provides the student with the knowledge to create custom formed bleaching trays, mouth guards, night guards, and trays for edentulous patients, using the vacuum former. Structures of the Head and Neck provides the student with information concerning the major muscles of mastication, salivary glands, and the normal structures and landmarks of the face. Office Management provides students with information to perform procedures of dental offi ce management. Included is instruction in telephone and receptionist techniques, appointment scheduling, and records management. |
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