Program Description:
The purpose of this program is to familiarize students with all areas of administrative and clinical dental assisting focusing on the responsibilities required to function as an assistant in a dental practice. This program prepares students for entry-level positions as a chair-side dental assistant. This course covers the history of dentistry, introduction to the dental office, the legal aspects of dentistry, introduction to oral anatomy, dental operatory, introduction to tooth structure (primary and permanent teeth), the oral cavity; and other areas.
Program also includes an optional unpaid clinical externship at a local healthcare provider! Additional fees may apply for a background check, drug test and other externship site testing requirements. Fees will be paid by the student at the time of placement in the optional externship.
Eligible users will get a voucher for Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Exam – DANB
Eligibility Criteria
There are no eligibility requirements for taking the RHS exam. Therefore, anyone can take this exam.
Program Learning Objectives:
- List and describe the equipment and materials used by dental assistants.
- Describe and apply best practices in chairside dental assisting.
- Demonstrate facility with dental office procedures and operations.
- Describe best practices for infectious disease control in a dental office.
- Describe best practices for radiographic imaging in a dental office.
Program Lesson Overviews:
Lesson 1: Room and Patient Preparation
- Preparing the Treatment Room
- Seating and Preparing the Patient
Lesson 2: Equipment Preparation and Maintenance
- Selecting Appropriate Equipment
- Preparing Trays for Various Procedures
- Preparing Impression Trays
- Ensuring Proper Operation of Dental Handpieces
Lesson 3: Materials Preparation and Maintenance
- Preparing and Storing Impression Materials
- Preparing and Storing Restorative Materials
- Preparing and Storing Sedative and Palliative Materials
- Preparing and Storing Finishing, Polishing, and Cleaning Agents
- Manipulating and Storing Laboratory Materials
- Conducting Laboratory Procedures
Lesson 4: Four-Handed Dentistry
- Practicing Four-Handed Dentistry (Introduction)
- Positioning Equipment for Access and Visibility
- Transferring Instruments
Lesson 5: Assistance During Procedures
- Managing the Patient’s Experience
- Preparing the Oral Cavity
- Maintaining the Field of Operation
- Applying Fluoride and Polishing Teeth
- Assisting with Anesthesia
- Performing a Vitality Test
- Placing and Removing Temporary Cement
- Controlling Minor Bleeding
Lesson 6: Data Collection and Recording
- Conducting the Preliminary Physical Examination
- Charting
- Aiding Diagnoses
- Recording Patient Responses to Drugs or Medication
- Documenting the Treatment Plan
Lesson 7: Emergency Prevention and Management
- Identifying Medical Conditions That May Trigger Emergencies
- Utilizing Preventative Measures for Drug Administration
- Responding to Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office
- Recognizing Symptoms of and Responding to Dental Emergencies
- Assembling and Maintaining Emergency Supplies
Lesson 8: Patient Education
- Managing Oral Health
- Monitoring Good Nutrition
- Providing Pre- and Post-Treatment Instructions
Lesson 9: Office Operations
- Controlling Inventory
- Maintaining Equipment and Instruments
- Communicating with Patients and Team Members
- Scheduling Appointments and Initiating Referrals
- Managing Financial Records
Lesson 10: Legal Issues
- Maintaining Confidentiality of Patient Records
- Obtaining Consent for Routine and Emergency Care
- Respecting a Patient’s Right to Privacy
- Dealing with Threats and Non-Compliance
- Ensuring Compliance with OSHA and CDC Guidelines
Lesson 11: Introduction to Infectious Diseases
- Understanding Infectious Diseases
- The Impact of Disease Transmission
- Promoting Immunization
Lesson 12: Infectious Disease Control
- Preventing Cross-Contamination
- Maintaining Aseptic Conditions
- Sterilizing Instruments
- Disinfecting the Workplace, Equipment, and Supplies
Lesson 13: Occupational Safety
- Following OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Regulations
- Following OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard Regulations
- Incorporating Engineering and Workplace Controls
- Applying Appropriate First-Aid Procedures
- Documenting and Reporting Incidents
Lesson 14: Radiographic Techniques and Equipment
- Understanding Radiographic Techniques
- Selecting Radiographic Equipment
- Acquiring Radiographic Images
Lesson 15: Radiographic Imaging
- Radiographic Exposure
- Intraoral Imaging
- Extraoral Imaging
- Digital Radiography
- Evaluating Radiographic Images
Lesson 16: Radiographic Precautions
- Preventing Cross-Contamination
- Understanding ADA/CDC and OSHA Guidelines
Lesson 17: Patient Management During Radiography
- Addressing Patient Concerns
- Managing Special-Needs Patients
Lesson 18: Radiographic Film Processing
- Working with Processing Solutions
- Working with Film Processors
- Taking Necessary Precautions
Lesson 19: Radiographic Image Mounting and Labeling
- Mounting Radiographic Images
- Indentifying Anatomical Structures in Radiographic Images
- Preparing Radiographic Images for Viewing and Duplication
Lesson 20: Radiation Safety for the Patient
- Operating Radiographic Equipment Safely
- Protecting the Patient from Unnecessary X-Radiation
Lesson 21: Radiation Safety for the Operator and Other Staff
- Protecting the Operator and Other Staff from Unnecessary X-Radiation
- Monitoring Individual X-Radiation Exposure
Program Classroom Link: https://lms.360training.com/lms
Externship Details:
40 Hour Externship
Students must achieve an 85% grade or better on all course quizzes, module exams and final exam and complete a minimum of 50 course hours throughout the e-learning program. Additionally, to be eligible for the clinical externship process students must pass a background check and a drug screen to be placed in a healthcare facility.
Students who participate in a clinical must be able to submit the following if required by their site (which is collected by CCI’s externship coordinator):
- Background check (Federal and/or state)
- Drug Screen
- Immunization record (or be able to obtain any immunizations required)
- 2 step TB test
- Flu Shot
- CPR certification
National Exams details:
Dental Assistant National Board
Radiation Health and Safety Exam (RHS)
Infection Control (ICE)
General Chairside Assisting (GC)
Pathway I:
1. Graduation from a CODA-accredited dental assisting or dental hygiene program, AND
2. Current CPR from a DANB-accepted provider
Pathway II:
1. High school graduation or equivalent, AND
2. Minimum of 3,500 hours of approved work experience, AND
3. Current CPR from a DANB-accepted provider
Pathway III:
1. Former DANB CDA status, or graduation from a CODA-accredited DDS or DMD program, or graduation from a dental degree program outside the U.S. or Canada, AND
2. Current CPR from a DANB-accepted provider
Program System Requirements:
To ensure the most enjoyable user experience, we recommend using a computer or mobile device and an Internet connection. The following requirements are divided according to the device for your convenience. If you would like a free upgrade to the recommended softwares, you can easily download the latest version by clicking on the name.
| Windows |
Mac |
iOS Device |
Android |
| Minimum 1 GB RAM, 2.4 Ghz processor with Internet connection (we recommend a broadband connection) |
MacOS 10.5 or above |
iOS 5.1.1 or later
(optimum performance ensured at iPad 3 & 4) |
Android 2.2 or later |
| Sound Card with speakers or headphones |
Sound Card with speakers or headphones |
Headphones |
Headphones |
| Monitor connected to a video card with driver equivalent to, or newer than, SVGA (1024×768) |
Monitor connected to a video card with driver equivalent to, or newer than, SVGA (1024×768) |
N/A |
N/A |
The following browsers are recommended:
Internet Explorer 8 – 10
Firefox
Chrome |
The following browser is recommended:
Safari |
The following browser is recommended:
Safari |
The following browsers are recommended:
Firefox
Chrome |
| Adobe Acrobat Reader |
Adobe Acrobat Reader |
Adobe Acrobat Reader |
Adobe Acrobat Reader |
| Quicktime |
N/A |
N/A |
Quicktime |
| Adobe Flash Player |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| Adobe Shockwave Player |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
TECHNICAL SKILL REQUIREMENTS
Basic Internet and computing skills are required to use this course. These might include the following:
- Using a browser
- Downloading a free browser from the Internet
- Downloading a browser plug-in, such as a video player
- Posting to a discussion forum/board
- Downloading and saving a file to your computer
- Uploading a file by browsing your computer to locate a file
- Entering your responses in a web-form, such as an online quiz
- Sending emails to your instructor or peers
Career Information:
| Occupation |
Job Summary |
Entry-Level Education |
2012 Median Salary |
| Dental Assistants |
Dental assistants have many tasks, ranging from providing patient care and taking x rays to recordkeeping and scheduling appointments. Their duties vary by state and by the dentists’ offices where they work. |
Post secondary non-degree award |
$34,500 |
