Core Standards of the Course
Strand 1
Students will examine the field of dentistry.
Standard 1
Describe the following dental health team members (including educational requirements, professional organizations, responsibilities, and licensure)
Standard 2
Describe the following areas of specialization in dentistry:
Strand 2
Students will identify areas of the dental office and basic dental equipment.
Standard 1
Identify and describe the following areas of the dental office:
Standard 2
Identify and describe proper use and maintenance of the following equipment:
Standard 3
Outline basic morning and evening routines.
Strand 3
Students will demonstrate an understanding of appropriate ethical and legal behavior in a dental setting.
Standard 1
Define the difference between ethics and laws including the importance of professional and personal ethics in the workplace.
Standard 2
Discuss ethical and legal responsibilities for the dental healthcare worker.
Standard 3
Identify standards of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act/HIPAA and discuss the need to protect the patient’s privacy.
Standard 4
Explain the purpose of the State Dental Practice Act and how it applies to the role of the dental assistant. List and understand the levels of supervision.
Strand 4
Students will demonstrate personal safety procedures based on OHSA and CDC guidelines.
Standard 1
Explain the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard including:
Standard 2
Outline the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard including:
Standard 3
Compare and contrast the roles of government agencies.
Strand 5
Students will demonstrate infection control protocol.
Standard 1
Identify the components of the chain of infection.
Standard 2
Identify modes of infection transmission in the dental office.
Standard 3
Outline standards for prevention of disease transmission.
Standard 4
Compare the different types of dental waste and appropriate waste disposal.
Strand 6
Oral Anatomy. Students will identify intra-oral anatomy and surrounding structures.
Standard 1
Identify teeth by name, location, and permanent, primary or mixed dentition.
Standard 2
Identify anatomical parts, tissues, and surfaces of a tooth.
Standard 3
Identify supporting structures
Standard 4
Identify primary and permanent teeth using the Universal Tooth Numbering System.
Standard 5
Identify major landmarks of the oral cavity and surrounding structures
Standard 6
Describe genetic and developmental factors that can affect dental development
Strand 7
Students will identify the infectious process of dental caries, and other diseases of the oral cavity.
Standard 1
Outline the dental caries process:
Standard 2
Describe the clinical characteristics of periodontal disease:
Standard 3
Recognize the diseases/conditions of the oral cavity and tongue including:
Strand 8
Students will identify components of a comprehensive preventive dentistry program including patient education.
Standard 1
Explain the parts of a preventive dentistry program and their effects on oral conditions.
Standard 2
Identify different products used for oral hygiene and their uses.
Strand 9
Students will be able to perform the skills and responsibilities of a dental assistant in the front office.
Standard 1
Identify the differences between verbal and nonverbal communications.
Standard 2
Demonstrate good phone courtesy.
Standard 3
Outline the process of scheduling appointments
Standard 4
Discuss the functions of computerized practice management systems.
Standard 5
Identify the data gathering process and prepare a patient record.
Standard 6
Define terminology related to insurance.
Learn the common dental procedure codes.
Diagnostic D0100-D0999
Preventive D1000-D1999
Restorative D2000-D2999
Endodontics D3000-D3999
Periodontics D4000-D4999
Removable Prosthodontics D5000-D5899
Maxillofacial Prosthetics D5900-D5999
Implant Services D6000-D6199
Fixed Prosthodontics D6200-D6999
Oral Surgery D7000-D7999
Orthodontics D8000-D8999
Adjunctive General Services D9000-D9999
Strand 10
Students will be able to perform basic life support skills.
Standard 1
Describe the signs and symptoms of common medical emergencies and describe how to respond to them.
Standard 2
Understand how to take, record, and monitor vital signs using automated systems:
Strand 1
Students will be able to perform the skills and responsibilities expected of a dental assistant in a dental examination.
Standard 1
Describe the role of the dental assistant in the clinical examination.
Standard 2
Explain the importance of a treatment plan.
Standard 3
Maintain records in accordance with legal guidelines.
Strand 2
Students will be able to perform the skills and responsibilities expected of a dental assistant in a coronal polish and application of fluoride.
Standard 1
Explain the difference between an oral prophylaxis and coronal polishing.
Standard 2
Explain safety precautions to be followed during coronal polish.
Standard 3
Outline the methods of fluoride therapy.
Standard 4
Explain the set up and use of instruments for dental sealants.
Strand 3
Students will demonstrate radiological protection and infection control as they expose, evaluate, and mount dental images.
Standard 1
Explain to a patient the benefits of dental x-rays.
Standard 2
Identify types of intraoral and extraoral radiographs and the purpose of each.
Standard 3
Identify the components of the dental x-ray machine and their use including handheld devices.
Standard 4
Demonstrate methods of radiation protection for the patient during x-ray exposure.
Standard 5
Demonstrate methods of radiation protection for the operator during x-ray exposure.
Standard 6
Discuss infection control during x-ray procedures.
Standard 7
Evaluate x-rays for diagnostic quality.
Standard 8
Identify common exposure and technique error
Standard 9
Identify radiographic landmarks for mounting intraoral films.
Strand 4
Students will examine pain control in the dental office setting.
Standard 1
Explain the set-up and protocol of a local anesthetic injection.
Standard 2
Compare local anesthetic agents with or without vasoconstrictors.
Standard 3
Identify the complications and precautions for dental anesthesia.
Standard 4
Explain the use and procedure of nitrous oxide in dental treatment.
Standard 5
Describe the equipment used in nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia.
Strand 5
Students will identify components of operative procedures and assist in patient treatment.
Standard 1
Identify reasons for dental treatment.
Standard 2
Outline responsibilities of the dental assistant in operative dental procedures.
Standard 3
Identify handpieces and burs, their common uses in operative dentistry, and maintenance.
Standard 4
Outline treatment options for vital bleaching.
Standard 5
Explain the set up and use of instruments for a composite procedure.
Standard 6
Explain the steps for composite procedures.
Strand 1
Students will perform skills and assist with indirect prosthodontic procedures.
Standard 1
Identify and explain the types of prosthetic appliances.
Standard 2
Explain the set up and use of instruments for crown and bridge procedures.
Standard 3
Complete laboratory authorization forms.
Standard 4
Explain how to mix cements.
Standard 5
Explain the set up and use of instruments for the delivery of removable prosthodontics (partials and dentures).
Strand 2
Students will demonstrate basic knowledge of and assist with common surgical procedures.
Standard 1
Explain the set up and use of instruments in a simple extraction set up.
Standard 2
Explain the set up and use of instruments in a surgical extraction set up.
Standard 3
Discuss post-operative instructions following extractions to a patient.
Standard 4
Explain the set up and use of instruments used in suture removal.
Strand 3
Students will demonstrate basic knowledge of and assist with procedures related to endodontics.
Standard 1
Explain the set up and use of instruments and accessories used in endodontic treatment.
Standard 2
Discuss steps in the endodontic exam including the methods of pulp testing.
Standard 3
Explain the steps of a root canal procedure.
Standard 4
Explain the set up and use of instruments for a dental dam.
Strand 4
Student will demonstrate basic knowledge related to orthodontics.
Standard 1
Identify primary and permanent teeth using the Palmer numbering system.
Standard 2
List the benefits of orthodontic treatment.
Standard 3
Explain proper care, oral hygiene and dietary instructions as it relates to orthodontic appliances.
Strand 5
Students will utilize materials and demonstrate skills related to in-office laboratory procedures.
Standard 1
Explain the set up and use of equipment found in the laboratory.
Standard 2
List the three types of impressions taken in a dental office.
Standard 3
Explain the set up and use of preliminary impressions.
Strand 1
Students will demonstrate their job seeking skills.
Standard 1
Determine personal career goals and employment opportunities.
Standard 2
Outline techniques for successful jobs.
Strand 2
Students must complete a minimum of 90 hours of clinical experience in a dental office.
Standard 1
Complete the Dental Assisting Clinical Application:
Standard 2
Complete a clinical work schedule calendar.
Standard 3
Provide weekly documentation of hours in attendance at clinical site and skills performed.
Standard 4
Upon completion of clinical hours, have clinical site complete evaluation, and return to the instructor.
Benchmark 1 - DENTAL SCIENCE I
Benchmark 2 - DENTAL SCIENCE II
Benchmark 3 - DENTAL SCIENCE III
Benchmark 4 - DENTAL SCIENCE IV
Workplace Skills
Describe the characteristics of a professional dental assistant.