This course is divided into two sections: Lab & Lecture
During the lab portion of this course, students will learn the necessary clinical skills and techniques to begin their career as a dental assistant. Weekly lectures are designed to help students learn and understand dental terminology as well as the skills, functions and procedures performed daily in a dental office.
Week One
Lab: The Basics of Dental Assisting
Principles and Techniques of Disinfection
Principles and Techniques of Instrument Processing
Delivering Dental Care
Moisture Control
Lecture: The Basics of Dental Assisting
The Professional Dental Assistant
The Dental HealthCare Team
Dental Caries
Disease Transmission and Infection Prevention
Week Two
Lab: Coronal Polishing & Sealants
Coronal Polishing
Dental Sealants
Lecture: All About Teeth
Overview of the Dentitions
Tooth Morphology
Oral Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
Week Three
Lab: Intraoral Imaging; Bitwings, PA's, FMX
Intraoral Imaging
Lecture: Dental Radiology
Foundations of Radiology
Digital Imaging, Dental Film, and Processing Radiographs
Legal Issues, Quality Assurance, and Infection Prevention
Intraoral Imaging
Extraoral Imaging
Radiology Certification Exam
Week Four
Lab: Extraoral Imaging; Pano's
Extraoral Imaging
Lecture: Dental Equipment and Instrumentation
Dental Hand Instruments
Dental Handpieces and Accessories
Anesthesia and Pain Control
Week Five
Lab: Impression & Lab Materials
Impression Materials
Laboratory Materials and Procedures
Lecture: Dental Materials
Restorative and Esthetic Dental Materials
Dental Liners, Bases, and Bonding Systems
Dental Cements
Week Six
Lab: Trimming Models and Fabricating Bleach Trays, Placing a Rubber Dam
Laboratory Materials & Procedures
Moisture Control (Dental Dam)
Lecture: Dental Specialties
General Dentistry
Endodontics
Oral and Maxiofacial Surgery
Week Seven
Lab: Composite and Amalgam Procedures & Matrix Bands
Restorative & Esthetic Dental Materials
General Dentistry
Matrix Systems for Restorative Dentistry
Lecture: Dental Specialties Part Two
Removable Prosthodontics
Pediatric Dentistry
Orthodontics
Week Eight
Lab: Crown Procedure & Fabricating a Provisional Coverage
Fixed Prosthodontics
Provisional Coverage
Lecture: Dental Administration and Communication Skills
Communication in the Dental Office
Business Operating Systems
Financial Management in the Dental Office
Marketing Your Skills
Week Nine
Lab: Clinical Skills Review - Open Lab
Students will work with the Lab Instructor on skills and procedures that need improvement and review
Lecture: Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office and CPR Certification
The Special Needs and Medically Compromised Patient
Principles of Pharmacology, pg. 467
CPR Certification
Week Ten
Mock Clinical Finals
Written Final Review
