Dental Assisting Course

This program is a class-based instructional course, held in a working dental office with a lecture area as well as operatory treatment rooms for hands-on instructions in addition to a Laboratory and sterilization rooms. Each program will last 12 weeks, and will consist of a total of 96 hours of classrooms and laboratory/clinical instructions. Additional study time and take home assignments will be included too. During the program, students will observe and practice on various dental procedures as part of the course requirements. Students will receive a Certificate of Completion after completing the 96 hours of classes and laboratory/clinical sessions, in addition to 36 hours of externship in an active dental office.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND SUBJECTS:

The graduate will be able to assist a general dentist chair side, including passing instruments, taking diagnostically-acceptable radiographs, fabricating and placing provisional coverage, sterilizing instruments and disinfecting the treatment rooms.

Orientation to Dentistry & Dental Anatomy

This unit will provide students with information concerning the roles of dentists, registered dental hygienists, dental assistants, and dental laboratory technicians as well as dental specialties. Information is also given on the areas of the dental office and major pieces of equipment. Students will get an extensive understanding of teeth anatomy and functions and be able to identify primary and permanent teeth.

Disinfection, Treatment Room Care, and Sterilization

In this unit, students will learn about practices regarding sterilization and disinfection of treatment rooms, dental instruments, OSHA standards and infectious materials. Also, students will learn about how to take care of sharp materials and how to assemble an anesthetic syringe.

Radiology

In this unit, students will be introduced to techniques and practice of safely mounting and taking digital x-rays. Students will be learning about radiation safety levels, errors, techniques and control factors. Students will be practicing these techniques throughout the remainder of the course.

Introduction to Four-Handed Dentistry

Students will also learn treatment care room set-up, which includes: tray set up, identifying and transferring instruments, practicing moisture control, breaking down treatment care rooms, and sterilization of instruments. Students will also increase their skills in the dental assisting program by learning how to assist during crown/bridge and composite procedures, oral surgery, root canals, denture procedures, and cementations as well as learning how to fabricate temporary crowns. Students will identify hand pieces, burs, and various dental instruments used in different dental procedures. Students will identify hand pieces, burs and various dental instruments used in different dental procedures.

Diagnostics

In this unit, students will be exploring diagnostic materials which will include custom impression trays, alginate impressions, and pouring up and trimming casts. Students will also learn how to make a custom night-guard and whitening trays.

Back Office & Open Dental Software

In this unit, students will learn the etiquettes and the responsibilities of the dental assistant in answering the telephone, greeting and welcoming the patients, how to enter patient’s information and data, creating treatment plans, learning how to clinical chart, and create reports. Students will also learn how to create and manage patients records and files by using the latest version of Dentrix as a dental software.

Job Placement

Through the textbook, students will be provided with information on how to create personalized cover letters and resumes and learn valuable interviewing tips that will be used in the dental field.

Externship

Extern hours are to be completed in order to receive the certificate of completion. In this unit, students will have an opportunity to observe and participate clinically as a dental assistant in a general dental office by applying what they have learned in knowledge and skills that are needed to begin their dental assisting career, where the real-world training can help greatly during the time of the dental assistant externship and can go a long way in preparing the students to excel in their position as quickly as possible.

During the externship, the student should expect to wear OSHA standard dress, and project a professional appearance and manner.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students in this Program need to be 18 years of age or older. A high school diploma or G.E.D. is required to enroll in the dental assisting program. Once these requirements are met, an interview will be conducted with the student to tour the school facilities and fill out all the necessary paperwork.

ENROLLMENT POLICY

Enrollment can take place up until the first day of class, depending on availability. After the first day of class, new students are only enrolled for the following session.