UH Maui Community College Dental Assisting Program
Course Syllabus
DENT 151 Introduction to Chairside Dental Assisting
1. Alpha and Numeric:DENT 151
Course Title:Introduction to Chairside Dental Assisting
Credits: 5
Date of Outlne:November 1, 2005
2. Course Description:Introduces basic procedures of chairside assisting, use and care of dental equipment, i nstrument identification, sterilization procedures and tray set-up preparation, manipulation of dental materials, cement bases and liners, topical agents, alginate, composites, and amalgams. Instruction in dental and periodontal charting, and dental assisting functions.
3. Contact Hours Per Week: Lecture – Three (3), Lec/Lab Two (2), Lab three (3) hrs./week.
4, Prerequisites:Admission to Dental Assisting program or consent
Coreqisites:
Recommended Preparation:
Approved by______Date______
5. General Course Objectives: This course is designed to introduce the student
to duties at a beginning level of dental assisting. Course includes description and rationale
for all procedures and tasks including methods and procedures for maintaining proper sterile and aseptic conditions in the dental office.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful Completion of Dent 151 the student will be able to:
Classroom Student Learning Outcomes:
Preventive Dentistry
Pronounce, define, and spell key terms.
Explain the goal of preventative dentistry.
Describe the components of a preventative dentistry program.
Discuss sources of systemic fluoride.
Describe & show the effects of excessive amounts of fluoride.
Describe the purpose of a fluoride needs assessment.
Explain & discuss steps in analyzing a food dairy.
List information needed to assist patients in understanding the benefits of preventative
dentistry.
Identify techniques for educating patients in preventative care.
Discuss the use of dental sealants in presentation.
Infection Control
Describe differences between a chronic infection and an acute infection.
Describe the types of immunity, and give examples of each.
Describe the methods of disease transmission in the dental office.
Describe the components of an OSHA exposure plan.
Explain the rationale for universal precautions.
Identify the categories of risk for occupational exposure.
Describe the first aid necessary after an exposure incident.
Discuss the rationale for hepatitis b vaccination for dental assistants.
Explain the importance of hand care, including alcohol based, for dental assistants.
Identify the various types of gloves used in a dental office.
Explain the types and symptoms of latex reactions.
Explain why dental treatment room surfaces need barriers or disinfection.
List the types of surfaces in the dental office typically covered with barriers.
Explain the differences between disinfection and sterilization
Identify chemical products used for intermediate-level & low-level surface disinfection, and explain advantages and disadvantages.
Name the government agency that is responsible for registering disinfectants.
Explain the precautions when using chemical sterilants/disinfectants.
Describe the CDC guidelines for disinfecting clinical contact surfaces.
Describe three most common methods of heat sterilization and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Describe the precautions necessary when packaging materials for sterilization.
Describe when and how biologic monitoring is done.
Explain how sterilization failures can occur.
Explain the purpose of a holding solution.
Explain the safety precautions necessary when operating an ultrasonic cleaner and autoclave
Discuss proper technique for preparing, cleaning, and sterilizing a dental hand piece.
Delivering Dental Care
Describe common dental operatory equipment and instruments.
Discuss the importance of preparing a dental treatment room for patient procedures.
Describe how you would prepare for your patient’s arrival.
Describe how the operator is positioned during treatment.
Describe how the dental assistant is positioned during treatment.
Explain instrument transfer.
Specify three grasps used by the operator.
Discuss single-handed and specialized instrument transfer in a safe and efficient manner.
Discuss the proper technique for using the dental mirror intraorally.
Discuss the proper technique for using an instrument orally.
Oral Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
List and describe the examination and diagnostic techniques used for patient assessment.
Discuss the role of the dental assistant in the clinical examination.
List the six categories of Black’s classification of cavities.
Explain the color coding of a chart diagram, including. the correct symbol for either an existing restoration or required treatment.
Describe and identify the different tooth surfaces.
Describe the pocket depth and bleeding index of gingival tissues and how to record the
findings.
Describe the need for a soft tissue exam.
Discuss the importance of a treatment plan.
Anesthesia and Pain Control
Discuss the importance of pain control in dentistry.
Describe the composition and application of topical anesthetics.
Discuss the composition and application of local anesthetic agents.
Describe nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation and its use in dentistry.
Discuss the importance of reducing the dental team’s exposure to nitrous oxide exposure.
Discuss intravenous sedation and its use in dentistry.
Discuss general anesthesia and its use in dentistry.
Dental Instruments
Describe the three parts of a dental hand instrument.
List the examination instruments and their use.
List the types of (manual) hand cutting instruments and their uses.
List the types of restorative instruments and their uses.
Describe additional accessory instruments and items used in general dentistry.
Describe the use of preset trays and tubs in dentristy.
Discuss the theory of placing instrument in a specific sequence.
Describe the low-speed hand piece and its use in dentistry.
Describe the high-speed hand piece and its uses.
Describe rotary instruments and how they are used.
List the parts burr.
Give the composition, shape, and use of the carbide and diamond burrs.
Moisture Control
List the isolation techniques used to decrease moisture during a dental procedure.
Describe the two types of oral evacuation systems used in dentistry.
Describe the grasp and positioning of the high-volume evacuator tip.
Discuss the use of the air/water syringe.
Describe the dental dam and its role in moisture control.
List the equipment and supplies for a dental dam application.
Describe the special preparation and placement of the dental dam.
Dental Materials
List, describe or identify the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of cements, liners, alginate, and dental plaster used in dental practice.
Review the purpose of an impression.
Describe uses and manipulations of cements, liners, alginates, and dental plaster.
Describe and identify the agents used for bonding.
Describe and identify acid etch used for bonding.
Describe the basic steps of bonding
Discuss factors that interfere with good bonding
Describe the amalgam bonding technique.
Describe the various types of composite resin restorative materials
Discuss the uses of each type of composite resin
Describe glass ionomer restoratives and its uses.
Describe fluoride releasing, resin-modified glass inomer restorations on prevention of
recurrent decay.
Discuss amalgam and composite materials.
Discuss ZOE and its use in dentistry.
Introduction to Dental Office Emergencies
Describe measures, including history taking that can prevent a possible medical emergency.
List the basic items that must be included in an emergency kit.
List the appropriate qualifications that the dental assistant must have in emergency preparedness.
List basic items that must be included in an emergency kit.
Describe the common signs and symptoms of an emergency and how to recognize them.
Define specific emergency situations and how to respond to them
Clinical Student Learning Outcomes:
Preventative Dentistry
Demonstrate the proper technique for applying topical fluoride gel or foam.
Demonstrate the proper technique for assisting a patient in learning how to use dental floss.
Demonstrate Modified Bass technique for toothbrushing..
Dental Office Emergencies
CPR and First Aid.
Demonstrate competency in CPR, First Aid, and defibrillation.
Inventory the emergency supplies.
Infection Control
Demonstrate proper hand washing technique.
Demonstrate proper technique for applying an alcohol based hand rub.
Utilize personal protective equipment.
Demonstrate proper technique for precleaning and disinfecting a dental treatment room and
equipment surfaces.
Identify operatory equipment.
Place and remove surface barriers.
Role play proper technique for first aid following exposure incident.
Demonstrate proper technique for preparing, cleaning, and sterilizing the dental hand piece.
Demonstrate proper technique for percleaning instrucments prior to sterilization using the
ultrasonic cleaner.
Demonstrate proper technique for biological monitoring.
Demonstrate the proper technique for preparing and autoclaving instruments.
Delivering Dental Care
Register a new patient and obtain medical and dental history
Role play smoking cessation education for patients.
Seat a patient following proper procedures
Obtain and record vital signs
Demonstrate the proper technique for using the dental mirror intraorally.
Demonstrate the proper technique for using an instrument orally.
Perform single-handed and specialized instrument transfer in a safe and efficient manner.
Demonstrate the proper technique for using the dental mirror intraorally.
Demonstrate the proper technique for using an instrument orally.
Oral Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
Assist the dentist or dental hygienist in the examination and charting of gingival tissues.
Demonstrate the proper technique for recording the dentist’s findings as dictated during an examination.
Demonstrate the proper technique for performing a soft tissue exam.
Record dental treatment and services accurately completely and legibly.
Anesthesia and Pain Control
Select the necessary setup, identify the injection site, and apply topical anesthetic.
Select the necessary setup; prepare an aspirating-type syringe for local anesthetic injection and assist in the administration.
Dental Instruments
Identify the three parts of a dental hand instrument.
Identify examination instruments, types of (manual) hand cutting instruments, restorative instruments, and additional accessory instruments.
Assemble operative and endodontic trays..
Correctly place instrument in a specific sequence.
Set up high and low-speed hand piece in the operatory.
Identify and select burrs or an operative procedure.
Moisture Control
Position the HVE during an operative procedure.
Perform a limited area rinse and a complete mouth rinse using the HVE and air water syringe.
Place cotton rolls for isolation.
Prepare a dental dam
Assemble the matrix band and universal retainer
Dental Materials
Assemble the necessary supplies and correctly manipulate alginate impression material.
Obtain a mandibular and maxillary impression.
Assemble the necessary supplies and correctly manipulate zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) for
base and cementation.
Assemble the necessary supplies and correctly manipulate zinc phosphate cement.
Assemble the necessary supplies and correctly manipulate glass ionomor cement.
Text and Materials
Bird, D. et al, Torres and Ehrich Modern Dental Assisting, current edition, W.B. Saunders Co;
Torres, Hazel, Modern Dental Assisting: Workbook, current edition, W.B. Saunders Co;
Miller and Keane, Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health, current edition, Saunders.
State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumers Affairs, Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 16, Chapter 79 Dentists and Dental Hygienists.\
State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumers Affairs, Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 448, Dentistry.
Evaluation And Grading
Exams will cover material from lectures, laboratory exercises, and reading assignments. Satisfactory completions of skills checklist required.
Weekly and weekly quizzes and proficiencies20%
Midterm15%
Final exam25%
Final Lab proficiency OSCE25%
Attendance 15% includes the following:
(Attitude, appearance, punctuality, follow DA program and college guidelines)
11. Methods of Instruction
1Lecture
2Discussion
3Group projects
4Supervised lab practice
5Supervised clinical practice
6Service and experiential learning