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. Evening classes are held Monday-Thursday and day classes are held on Fridays, thus allowing the students to hold a full time job while attending the dental assisting program. 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 a minimum of 60 hours of externship.

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. Information is also given on the major areas of the dental office and major pieces of equipment will be explored. The dental specialties are learned in this module. Also, students will learn about the naming of teeth in accordance with their set, arch, class, type, and side. in addition to, learning about the teeth structures of which they are made and their distinguishing features. This information serves a practical purpose in dental treatment. Furthermore, students will learn how to identify primary and permanent teeth, as well as surfaces, parts of teeth, and tissue.

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 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. In addition to, the students will be carefully prepared for taking the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam.

Introduction to Four-Handed Dentistry/Expanded Functions

In this unit, students will learn how to assist by using four handed chair-side dentistry, including: greeting, seating, preparing and dismissing patients. Students will also learn treatment care room set-up, which includs: tray/procedure, identifying and transferring instruments, breaking down treatment care room and sterilization and will be learning and practicing moisture control. Students will also increase their skills in the dental assisting program by learning how to fabricate temporary crowns and explore composite fillings procedures. Students will learn how to assist during oral surgery, root canals, scaling and root-planning and the insertion of dentures, cements and their manipulation. 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, this will include custom impression trays, and alginate impressions and pouring up and trimming casts. Also, students will be learning how to make a custom night-guard and whitening trays.

Back Office & Dentrix

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.

Coronal Polish

In this unit, students will learn how to place sealants and perform other measures in preventative dentistry. Students will be prepared in this section of the program for their State license exam.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

In this unit, students will learn about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, commonly known as CPR, with hands-on training practice on chest compressions, including an emphasis on constant, rapid heart stimulation techniques.

Job Placement

In this unit, students will be provided with information on how to create personalized cover letters, resumes, and recommendation letters that, will be used in the dental field. Students will also learn about the rules and guidelines of the internship/externship opportunities, and job interviews in the dental field, and throughout our dental network and affiliates.

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.

A-Z School of Dental Assisting and Front Office will help to locate the dental office for the students to complete their externship hours. In which, the students will have an opportunity to observe and participate in a general dental office. 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 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.