Dental Assisting

Following the curriculum guideline of the California Board of Dental Examiners, Committee on Dental Auxiliaries, the Dental Assisting Program prepares students to be dental assistants with clinical experience in a dental office after learning basic dental anatomy, physiology, tooth morphology, dental materials, material handling, infection control procedures according to OSHA regulations, dental instruments and their care, and dental office procedures. Training will also include student compilation of a portfolio that includes resumes, cover letters, reference letters, and applications. Job search skills including interviewing skills will also be taught.

Performance Objectives

Upon completion of the Dental Assisting program, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate a knowledge of personal hygiene and grooming and meet the standards set by the dental profession for successful employment.
• Understand the composition and function of the dental team and dental specialties and know the educational requirements of each.
• Have a basic knowledge of body structure, including the anatomy of the mouth.
• Name teeth and their surfaces.
• Know Black's Cavity classification.
• Understand and demonstrate a knowledge of sterilization, disinfection, and barrier techniques in a dental office according to OSHA regulations.
• Sterilize and set up procedure trays according to OSHA regulations.
• Take a patient's medical history and understand the importance of obtaining accurate information.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of preventive oral hygiene including a basic knowledge of good nutrition.
• Successfully complete a course in Dental Radiology.
• Complete a cardio-pulmonary resuscitation course taught by certified Heart Association or Red Cross instructors.
• Identify hand instruments and have understanding of use.
• Prepare restorative materials with supervision.
• Take impressions for diagnostic and opposing models.
• Apply non-aerosol and non-caustic topical agents.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of pharmacology as it relates to dentistry.
• Know how to remove post-extraction and periodontal dressings.
• Place elastic orthodontic separators on a typodont.
• Remove orthodontic separators on a typodont.
• ASSIST in the administration of Nitrous Oxide.
• Hold anterior matrices.
• Remove sutures.
• Take intra-oral measurements for orthodontic procedures.
• Seat adjusted retainers or headgear, including appropriate instructions.
• Check for loose bands.
• Remove arch wires.
• Remove ligature ties.
• Apply topical fluoride, after scaling and polishing by supervising dentist or a registered dental hygienist.
• Place and remove rubber dam on typodont.
• Place, wedge, and remove matrices on a typodont.
• Assist dentist chairside.
• Assist the receptionist with office records as directed.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Patient Rights and Privacy Act.

Registered Dental Assistant

33 performance objectives for a dental assistant plus following objectives qualifies student take state examination which student must pass to get RDA license.

• Inspect the oral cavity with a mouth-mirror to include charting of obvious lesion, existing restorations, and missing teeth.
• Place and remove a temporary dressing on a typodont with prepared teeth.
• Know how to obtain endodontic cultures.
• Know how to dry canals, previously opened by the supervising dentist with absorbent points.
• Test pulp vitality.
• Place bases and liners on a typodont with prepared teeth.
• Know how to remove cement excess from supragingival surfaces of teeth.
• Size stainless steel crowns, temporary crowns, and bands.
• Know how to use temporary cement and remove temporary crowns and how to remove orthodontic bands.
• Know how to place and ligate arch wires.
• Place wire orthodontic separators on a typodont.
• Place a post-extraction and periodontal dressings on a typodont.
• Complete a course in coronal polishing.
• Complete a course in dental radiology.
• Complete CPR training.