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Dental Assistant Certificate 

Keywords: Administrative, Dental, Assistant, Practice
Categories: Certificate
Short Description: The job of the dental office assistant encompasses all of the business aspects related to running a dental practice. Some of the duties of the dental office assistant may include scheduling and confirming appointments, greeting patients, managing patient files, sending bills, receiving payments, and ordering office supplies and dental materials. With on-the-job training, the dental office assistant may also assist in chairside duties such as preparing patients for treatment, obtaining dental records, sterilizing instruments, and preparing trays of instruments for dental procedures. Program provides the dental office assistant-related knowledge you will need to gain an entry-level position in the dental field. You will learn the key concepts of running a successful dental office administration. You will gain hands-on practice in completing routine office duties and the end of the program will prepare you for a successful job search in your new career. Books Included

Dental Assistant

300 Hours/12 Months Access/Instructor Supported

Course Overview:

This dental assistant course is an excellent first step in learning more about a career as a dental assistant. A dental assistant is a vital employee in many dentists' offices. Dental assistant jobs can vary from office to office, but generally a dental assistant can help sterilize equipment, prepare dental instruments, locate patient records, help patients keep comfortable and assist the dentist during procedures. The course in association with 4 years experience will allow you the opportunity to become a certified dental assistant. Different states may have different requirements. To check your state requirements, go to http://www.danb.org/default.asp

Our detailed curriculum can provide a thorough introduction about the work of a dental assistant on a number of key topics, including:

  • Introduction to the dental assistant profession
  • The dental healthcare team
  • Dental anatomy
  • Oral exam and dental charting
  • Dental instruments
  • Preparing the treatment room
  • Various dental specialty practices
  • Dental radiography
  • Labeling and filing dental x-rays
  • And more!

Course Outline:

Dental Assistant Module 1
The Dental Assisting Profession
  • History of Dentistry
  • Education and Professional Development
  • Characteristics of a Dental Assistant
  • Professional Organizations
  • The Dental Healthcare Team
  • Job Duties of a Dental Assistant
  • Dental Ethics
  • Confidentiality
  • Dentistry and the Law
  • Dentist-Patient Relationship
  • Patient Records and the Law
Dental Assistant Module 2
Sciences in Dentistry
  • General Anatomy
  • Body Cavities & Regions
  • General Physiology
  • Body Systems
  • Oral Embryology
  • Oral Histology
  • Regions of the Head and Neck
  • Blood Supply to the Head and Neck
  • Landmarks of the Face
  • Oral Cavity
  • Overview of Dentitions
  • Anatomic Features of Teeth
  • Tooth Morphology
  • Anterior Permanent Dentition
  • Posterior Permanent Dentition
Dental Assistant Module 3
Oral Health and Prevention of Dental Disease
  • Dental Caries
  • The Caries Process
  • Diagnosis of Caries
  • Periodontal Disease
  • Systemic conditions Linked to Periodontal Disease
  • Preventive Dentistry
  • Plaque Control Programs
  • Nutrition and Dental Health
  • Food Guide Pyramid
  • Eating Disorders and Teeth
  • Oral Pathology
  • Oral Lesions
  • Diseases of the Oral Soft Tissues
  • Oral Developmental Disorders
Dental Assistant Module 4
Infection Control in Dentistry
  • Microbiology and Dentistry
  • Viral Diseases
  • Bacterial Diseases
  • The Chain of Infection
  • Methods of Disease Transmission
  • CDC Guidelines for Infection Control
  • OSHA Standards
  • Waste Management in the Dental Office
  • Environmental Infection Control
  • Surface Contamination
  • Classification of Instruments
  • Instrument Processing Area
  • Sterilization Monitoring
  • Methods of Sterilization
Dental Assistant Module 5
Occupational Health and Safety
  • Regulatory and Advisory Agencies
  • Governmental Agencies
  • Chemical and Waste Management
  • Hazardous Chemicals
  • Dental Office Waste Management
  • Microorganisms in Dental Unit Water
  • Methods for Reducing Bacterial Contamination
  • Infection Control and Dental Unit Water
  • Ergonomics in the Dental Office
  • Posture
  • Repetition and Force
  • Muscle-Strengthening Exercises
Dental Assistant Module 6
Patient Information
  • The Patient Record
  • Privacy Policy in the Office
  • Patient Record Forms
  • Understanding Vital Signs
  • Temperature and Pulse
  • Respiration and Blood Pressure
  • Oral Examination and Diagnostic Techniques
  • Patient Charting
  • The Treatment Plan
  • Medically and Physically Compromised Patient
  • The Aging Population
  • Principles of Pharmacology
  • Drug Dosage and Forms
  • Preventing a Medical Emergency
  • Emergency Care Standards
  • Emergency Responses
Dental Assistant Module 7
Foundation of Clinical Dentistry
  • The Dental Office Environment
  • Reception Area
  • Treatment Areas
  • Care of Dental Equipment
  • Delivering Dental Care
  • Knowing Your Patients
  • Greeting and Seating the Patient
  • Team Dentistry Positioning
  • Expanded Functions of the Dental Assistant
  • Dental Hand Instruments
  • Evolution of Rotary Equipment
  • Dental Hand pieces
  • Moisture Control
  • Oral Evacuation Systems
  • The Dental Dam
  • Anesthesia and Pain Control
  • Local Anesthesia
  • General Anesthesia
Dental Assistant Module 8
Dental Radiology
  • Foundations of Radiography
  • Discovery of X-Radiation
  • Radiation Effects
  • Radiation Safety
  • Dental Film and Processing
  • Types of Film
  • Legal Considerations
  • Quality Assurance in the Dental Office
  • Intraoral Radiography
  • Full Mouth Survey
  • Radiographic Technique Errors
  • Panoramic Radiography
  • Extraoral Radiography
  • Digital Radiography
Dental Assistant Module 9
Dental Materials
  • Properties of Dental Materials
  • Direct and Indirect Restorations
  • Dental Liners and Sealers
  • Dental Bases and Bonding
  • Classification of Dental Cements
  • Cement Removal
  • Impression Materials
  • Impression Trays
  • Laboratory Materials and Procedures
  • Safety in the Dental Laboratory
  • Pouring Dental Models
  • Custom Impression Trays
  • Dental Waxes
Dental Assistant Module 10
Assisting in Comprehensive Dental Care, Part 1
  • Cavity Preparation
  • Permanent Restorations
  • Tooth Whitening
  • Matrix Systems for Restorative Dentistry
  • Fixed Prosthodontics
  • Crown and Bridge Procedures
  • Types of Provisional Coverage
  • Polymer and Polycarbonate Crowns
  • Removable Prosthodontics
  • Full (Complete) Denture
  • Types of Dental Implants
  • Endodontic Procedures
  • Overview of Root Canal Therapy
  • Surgical Endodontics
Dental Assistant Module 11
Assisting in Comprehensive Dental Care, Part2
  • Periodontics
  • Periodontal Instruments
  • Nonsurgical and Surgical Periodontal Treatments
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Surgical Preparation and Procedures
  • Postoperative Care
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Preventive Dentistry for Children
  • Coronal Polishing
  • Prophylaxis Angle and Handpiece
  • Dental Sealants
  • Orthodontics
  • Orthodontic Records and Treatment Planning
  • Headgear and Adjustment Visits
Dental Assistant Module 12
Dental Administration and Communication Skills
  • Communicating with Patients
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Phone Skills
  • Written Communication
  • Operating Procedures Manual
  • Record Keeping
  • Appointment Scheduling
  • Inventory Management
  • Financial Management in the Dental Office
  • Preventive Account Management
  • Accounts Receivable
  • Payroll and Payroll Deductions
  • Marketing Your Skills
  • Locating Employment Opportunities
  • Salary Negotiations
  • Achieving Career Objectives

All necessary materials included.

System Requirements:
Internet Access
  • Broadband or high-speed internet access is required. Broadband includes DSL, cable, and wireless connections..
  • Dial-Up internet connections will result in a diminished online experience. Moodle pages may load slowly and viewing large audio and video files may not be possible.
Hardware
  • Windows hardware configurations and processors are acceptable.
  • Mac computers MUST have Microsoft Window Operating Systems over Bootcamp (Bootcamp is a free download from Apple's website).
  • 1 GB RAM recommended
  • Software
  • Operating Systems
  • Windows XP or Vista and Mac OS X 10 and higher with Windows
  • Web Browsers
  • Google Chrome
  • Internet Explorer 6, 7 and 8
  • Safari, Internet Explorer & FireFox are not currently recommended as they cannot display certain Moodle editing menus for both students and instructors
    Media Plug-ins (These may be required depending on your course media-click on the links below to download the latest versions)
  • Adobe Flash Player
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Apple Quicktime
  • Windows Media Player
  • Real Player
  • PowerPoint Viewer (use this if you don't have PowerPoint)
  • **Outlines are subject to change, as courses are always under improvement for your benefit.**