DENA 1340 Syllabus

Subject Code

DENA

Course Number

1340

Course Title

Dental Assisting I: General Chairside

Prerequisites

Program Admission

Corequisites

DENA 1050 with a grade of C or higher, DENA 1080 with a grade of C or higher

Terms Offered

Offered Summer

Credit Hours

(3-6-6)

Course Description

This course introduces student to the ethics and jurisprudence for the dental assistant and to chairside assisting with diagnostic and operative procedures. Topics include ethics and jurisprudence in the dental office, four-handed dentistry techniques, clinical data collection techniques, introduction to operative dentistry, and dental material basics.

Course Outcomes

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

 

Ethics and Jurisprudence in the Dental office

  1. Explain, and give examples of the basic principles of ethics.
  2. Discuss the American Dental Assistants Association Code of Ethics.
  3. Explain the difference between “legal” and “ethical”.
  4. Describe the steps involved in ethical decision making.
  5. Give examples of ethical dilemmas for each principle of ethics.
  6. Give examples of personal ethics and unethical behavior.
  7. Explain the purpose of the state Dental Practice Act.
  8. Explain the purpose for licensing of dental health professionals.
  9. Describe the difference between written and implied consent.
  10. Describe the procedure for obtaining consent for minor patients.
  11. Describe the procedure for documenting informed consent.
  12. Explain the purpose of HIPAA.

Management of Dental Office Emergencies

  1. Implement techniques for the prevention of medical emergencies in the dental office.
  2. Recognize the signs and symptoms related to specific medical conditions/emergencies likely to occur in the dental office.
  3. Respond to and assist in the management of chairside emergencies including CPR.
  4. Describe how to prevent a possible medical emergency.
  5. Correctly identify location of emergency first aid kit and knowledge of its contents.
  6. Recognize syncope and be able to assist with this condition.
  7. Respond to hyperventilation by a patient.
  8. Recognize the symptoms and respond to a patient with a localized allergic reaction.

Principles of Four-Handed Dentistry

  1. Explain the concept of advanced functions in relation to four-handed dentistry.
  2. Describe the benefits of four-handed dentistry.
  3. Identify the principles of motion economy.
  4. Identify the classifications of motions.
  5. Describe six-handed dentistry.
  6. Define and explain the application of color-coding.
  7. Describe the function and styles of preset trays.
  8. Explain positive phrases for implementing four-hand dentistry.
  9. Identify the zones of activity at chair-side.
  10. Describe and demonstrate the preparation of a treatment room prior to seating a patient.
  11. Describe and demonstrate the process for seating a dental patient for treatment in any area of the oral cavity.
  12. Discuss and demonstrate the positioning of the assistant and operator for treatment in any area of the oral cavity.
  13. Describe and demonstrate the procedure for dismissal of a dental patient.
  14. Obtain and record patient’s medical and dental history using both interview and questionnaires.
  15. Describe the importance of the medical/dental history of the patient.
  16. Identify special needs of patients during the seating and dismissal procedures.
  17. Identify the dental equipment in the treatment room.
  18. Demonstrate how to position the dental chair.
  19. Demonstrate proper infection control techniques.
  20. Demonstrate proper packaging of instruments for sterilization.
  21. Place barriers and position the dental chair for dental treatment procedures.

 

Instrumentation

  1. Identify parts of a dental instrument.
  2. Describe the G.V. Black instrument nomenclature.
  3. Classify dental instruments according to their use.
  4. Identify and explain the function of basic dental instruments.
  5. Identify and describe basic hand cutting instruments.
  6. Define and explain the application of color-coding.
  7. Describe the function and styles of preset trays.
  8. Identify and describe supplementary instruments and armamentarium common to most dental procedures.
  9. Explain the process of instrument sharpening.
  10. Describe various instrument grasps.
  11. Identify the basic types of instrument exchanges used a chair-side.
  12. Describe and demonstrate how to maintain a fulcrum rest.
  13. Describe and demonstrate the use of basic hand and rotary instruments.
  14. Identify the responsibility of the dentist and the dental assistant during instrument exchange.
  15. Explain the safety precautions that should be implemented during instrument exchange.
  16. Identify the function of the HVE System.
  17. Discuss how the HVE System can aid in reducing aerosols in the dental clinical environment.
  18. Differentiate between the use of an HVE System and a saliva ejector.
  19. Identify the armamentarium used with an HVE System.
  20. List the basic rules for the oral evacuator tip placement.
  21. Discuss the placement of an evacuator tip for any given operative or surgical site.
  22. Discuss the use of the air-water syringe in maintaining a clear operating field.
  23. Complete all proficiency check-offs required for DEN 134.
  24. Demonstrate correct tray set-ups for selected dental procedures.

 

Rotary Instruments and Gypsum Products

  1. Describe the function of rotary devices used in dentistry today.
  2. Discuss the use of a water coolant system in conjunction with dental hand-pieces.
  3. Differentiate between various types of hand-pieces.
  4. Identify the various shapes, sizes, types, and functions of common rotary devices.
  5. Describe and demonstrate the maintenance of dental hand-pieces.
  6. Demonstrate instrument exchange and manipulation of the air-water syringe.
  7. Demonstrate how to manipulate rotary instruments.
  8. Describe the properties of the gypsum products.
  9. Discuss the selection process for pouring dental models.
  10. List the mixing proportions for the gypsum products.
  11. Mix gypsum products and pour rubber molds.
  12. Trim a set of study models using the model trimmer.
  13. Complete all check off proficiencies for rotary instruments and gypsum products.

 

Charting

  1. Describe an extraoral exam.
  2. Describe an intraoral exam.
  3. Identify the common abbreviations and symbols used in charting a dental examination.
  4. Describe the use of consent forms, radiographs, laboratory studies, study models, and photographs in clinical evaluation.
  5. Describe the process of a case presentation.
  6. Perform charting on a peer.
  7. Participate in an oral exam.
  8. Complete all proficiencies for charting.

Anesthetic Techniques, Isolation Materials and Applications, and Composites

  1. Describe the purpose of anesthesia.
  2. Discuss and list the types of topical and local anesthesia and indications for use.
  3. Demonstrate the correct placement of topical anesthesia for a given procedure.
  4. Differentiate between anesthesia and analgesia.
  5. Describe the types of anesthesia and application in dentistry.
  6. Explain the components of local anesthesia and the effect of each on the human body.
  7. Identify the parts of an anesthetic syringe.
  8. Identify the parts of the anesthetic carpule.
  9. Describe and demonstrate the correct procedure for assembling and disassembling of the anesthetic syringe.
  10. Identify the types of syringes used in dentistry.
  11. Explain the accepted safety guidelines regarding the use of sharps.
  12. Identify the purposes of isolation techniques in dentistry.
  13. Identify the armamentarium used in different isolation procedures.
  14. Discuss the importance of rubber dam isolation in today’s dentistry.
  15. Perform proficiency check-off for assembling and disassembling of the anesthetic syringe.

 

Impression Materials

  1. Define the terms associated with impression materials.
  2. Define the purpose of tray adhesive.
  3. Describe and demonstrate the method to disinfect impressions prior to pouring.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to take an impression on a manikin and on a partner and pour in plaster (manikin) and stone (partner).
  5. Differentiate between the inverted pour and boxed method for gypsum bases and demonstrate both.
  6. Prepare the armamentarium needed to make impressions.
  7. Demonstrate the correct technique to take an impression on and pour.
  8. Describe the process for selecting a tray for impressions.
  9. Complete all lab proficiencies for impressions and pouring models.

 

Amalgam Procedure

  1. Describe the use of amalgam as a restorative material
  2. Discuss the properties of amalgam
  3. Name the G.V, Black cavity forms
  4. Describe the steps of a cavity preparation
  5. Identify and explain the phases of an amalgam procedure
  6. Identify the armamentarium and materials used in the amalgam restorative procedure
  7. Identify the parts and describe and demonstrate the assembly of a tofflemire matrix band and its application
  8. Describe the function of basic instruments used in the amalgam restorative procedure
  9. Explain the indications for a pin-retained amalgam and identify the associated armamentarium
  10. Complete lab proficiency check-off for amalgam procedure

 

Cavity Liners, Bases, and Cements

  1. Describe the properties of cavity liners, bases and cements.
  2. Discuss the use of each cement
  3. Correctly recognize the generic name and brand name of cavity liners, bases, and cements
  4. Demonstrate correct mixing techniques for dental cavity liners, bases, and cements
  5. Complete lab proficiency for mixing dental cements

 

Isolation Materials and Applications, and Composites

  1. Identify the purposes of isolation techniques in dentistry procedures
  2. Identify the armamentarium used in different isolation procedures
  3. Discuss the importance of rubber dam isolation in today’s dentistry
  4. Describe the use of composite resin as a restorative material
  5. Describe the different kinds of composites and the applications of each
  6. List the types of cavity preparations that are common with the use of composite resin as a restorative procedure
  7. Identify the steps of the composite resin restorative procedure
  8. Identify the armamentarium and materials used in the composite resin restorative procedure
  9. Describe the function of each instrument used during the composite procedure
  10. Correctly assemble treatment trays with instruments and supplies for a composite procedure
  11. Perform proficiency check-off for composite restorations

Advanced Operative Techniques:

  1. Prepare appropriate treatment trays for operative dentistry, with armamentarium in sequence of use
  2. Select and prepare materials for operative dentistry
  3. Select and manipulate the various finishing, polishing and cleaning agents
  4. Prepare, mix, deliver, and store the dental materials, including: bonding agents
  5. Provide patient with oral and/or written pre- and post-treatment instructions
  6. Use the concepts of four-handed dentistry when assisting with operative dentistry
  7. Identify and describe the functions of the instruments and materials used in coronal polishing
  8. Describe the use, care and lubrication of the right-angle handpiece
  9. Demonstrate coronal polishing to clinical proficiency
  10. Demonstrate the care of removable dental appliances
  11. Demonstrate the application of acid etch