Dental Assisting Course
This program is a class-based instructional course held in a working dental office, featuring a lecture area as well as operatory treatment rooms for hands-on instruction, in addition to a laboratory and sterilization rooms.
The program lasts 12 weeks and consists of a total of 128 hours of instruction, including classroom, laboratory, clinical training, and a minimum of 32 hours of externship.
Evening classes are held Monday through Thursday, and day classes are held on Fridays, allowing students to maintain a full-time job while attending the dental assisting program. Additional study time and take-home assignments are also included.
During the program, students will observe and practice various dental procedures as part of the course requirements. Students will receive a Certificate of Completion after successfully completing all required program hours and externship requirements.
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 & Eaglesoft
In this unit, students will learn the etiquette and responsibilities of a dental assistant when answering the telephone, greeting and welcoming patients, entering patient information, creating treatment plans, performing clinical charting, and generating reports. Students will also learn how to create and manage patient records and files using the latest version of Eaglesoft dental software.
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
Externship hours must be completed in order to receive the Certificate of Completion. In this unit, students will have the opportunity to observe and participate clinically as a dental assistant in a general dental office. Students will apply the knowledge and skills they have learned throughout the program while gaining valuable real-world experience. This hands-on training during the dental assistant externship helps prepare students to confidently begin their careers and succeed in a professional dental environment.
Neighborhood Dental Assisting School will assist students in locating a dental office where they can complete their externship hours. During this time, students will have the opportunity to observe and participate in the daily operations of a general dental office.
During the externship, students are expected to wear OSHA-compliant attire and maintain a professional appearance and demeanor at all times.
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.