**Not available at Anaheim campus
Program Objective:
The Dental Assistant Program is designed to give students the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a Dental Assistant in a dental office; emphasis is placed on both dental office management as well as back office clinical skills. The administrative portion of the Dental Assistant Program emphasizes receptionist responsibilities, marketing, communication techniques, and business office systems including software applications, patient scheduling, and records management. The clinical portion prepares students to work as a chairside assistant in a dental setting. The clinical portion includes a 160-hour, 4-week externship
REQUIRED COURSES:
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| Oral Health & Nutrition |
3 |
| Preparation for Patient Care / Universal Precautions / Hazard Management |
3 |
| Intro - Chairside Assisting |
3 |
| Dental Radiology I |
3 |
| Dental Radiology II / Safety |
3 |
| Dental Specialties |
3 |
| Chairside Restorative Materials |
3 |
| Laboratory Materials & Techniques |
3 |
| Advanced Chairside Functions / Coronal Polishing |
3 |
| Dental Office Management |
3 |
| Career Development |
3 |
| Externship - Medical Back Office |
8 |
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| Total Credits: |
Total Weeks in Program: |
41 Quarter Credits
(820 Clock Hours) |
37 weeks (Single Track)
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Course Schedules: |
Clinical Schedule: |
| Days: |
8:00am - 12:50pm, Mon-Thurs |
8:00 am - 5:00 pm M - F |
| Afternoons: |
1:00pm - 5:50pm, Mon-Thurs |
| Nights: |
6:00pm - 11:00pm, Mon-Thurs |
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If you have any other questions please contact us >
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR DENTAL ASSISTANTS:
Graduation from the Dental Assistant program at Summit Career College does not automatically qualify you to sit for the RDA examination. After completion of the program you can work as an unlicensed Dental Assistant, but since the college's program has not yet received COMDA approval, in order to sit for the Registered Dental Assistant Examination after completion of the program at Summit Career College, you must still:
(1) complete at least 12 months of satisfactory paid work experience as a dental assistant with a dentist licensed in one of the states in the United States; and
(2) show successful completion of Board-approved courses in coronal polishing and radiation safety before a license will be issued.
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Oral Health & Nutrition
Course Length: 3 Weeks
Credit Units: 3
In this course, the student will apply the concepts of infection control in the dental office utilizing OSHA and CDC regulations, which include Personal Protective Equipment. The students become proficient in charting pathological conditions and existing dental work. In addition, they chart oral conditions of students and patients in compliance with state guidelines for mouth mirror inspection. Oral cavity anatomy, tooth morphology and annotating methods relating to charting are presented. Specialty areas of oral pathology and periodontics are studied. Placement of periodontal surgical dressings are demonstrated and practiced on manikins according to RDA criteria. Preventive dentistry is emphasized. Related areas of nutrition and fluorides are presented. Basic concepts of psychology and communication are discussed with emphasis on helping dental patients overcome anxieties related to dental treatment. Students also study related dental terminology, spelling, and policies and procedures applicable to the program.
Preparation for Patient Care / Universal Precautions / Hazard Management
Course Length: 3 Weeks
Credit Units: 3
In this course, students are introduced to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), standards for infection control and hazard communication. Topics include microbiology, tooth morphology, contagious diseases concerning the dental team, universal precautions, and barrier techniques and handling hazardous chemicals. Students practice step-by-step instrument decontamination using approved sterilization agents and methods. They study cranial anatomy as it relates to anesthesia administration and pain control. Methods for taking and recording vital signs and blood pressure are introduced. Skills performed by the dental assistant in the specialty areas of oral surgery and endodontics (root canals) are presented, including procedures for the administration of topical and local anesthetics. Students practice acquired skills on training manikins (Typodonts), placing instruments and materials. Students also study related dental terminology and spelling.
Intro to Chairside Assisting
Course Length: 3 Weeks
Credit Units: 3
This course introduces students to chairside assisting duties and techniques practiced in general dentistry. It will provide the student with entry-level knowledge of the following: Disease Transmission and Microbial control in the Dental Office, methods of sterilization, disinfecting, and OSHA guidelines for infection control, tooth morphology and anatomy. It includes all the chairside procedures for both general and specialty dentistry. Students also study related dental terminology and spelling.
Dental Radiology I
Course Length: 3 Weeks
Credit Units: 3
In this course, the student will apply the concepts of infection control in the dental office utilizing OSHA and CDC regulations, which include Personal Protective Equipment. This course introduces students to the basic anatomy of the head and teeth in order to familiarize students with the anatomical structures involved in dental radiographs. The student will cover the mechanical skills in general DA and RDA procedures. Students practice techniques of film placement and mounting in equipped dental operatories with industry-approved structural and monitoring devices. Mounting techniques include bitewing, bisecting and parallel techniques and are performed on a patient simulator manikin. Student also studies related dental terminology and spelling. The Radiology courses are approved by COMDA as a certified Radiation Safety Course. Completion of D0730 and D0725 allows a student to obtain a Radiology Certificate.
Dental Radiology II/Safety
Course Length: 3 Weeks
Credit Units: 3
(Prerequisite of completion of Course #D0725) This course places the emphasis on maintaining radiation safety while obtaining the best possible diagnostic quality on dental radiographs. Students practice techniques of film mounting in equipped dental operatories with industry-approved structural and monitoring devices. Mounting techniques reviewed include bitewing, bisecting and parallel techniques and are performed on a patient simulator manikin. Students process film using a fully equipped darkroom or automatic processor. Students are also required to mount processed radiographs and to evaluate the diagnostic quality according to established criteria. Professional responsibilities regarding the state radiation safety certificate are introduced. Students learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation according to American Heart Association or Red Cross Standards (CPR). Students also study related dental terminology and spelling. The Radiology courses are approved by COMDA as a certified Radiation Safety Course. Completion of D0730 and D0725 allows a student to obtain a Radiology Certificate.
Dental Specialties
Course Length: 3 Weeks
Credit Units: 3
In this course, the student will apply the concepts of infection control in the dental office utilizing OSHA and CDC regulations, which include Personal Protective Equipment. The study of tooth morphology and anatomy are continued. The course will focus on orthodontics as a specialty. Students receive hands-on training in practicing orthodontic measurements, placement of separators, sizing bands and placing and ligating arch wires. Theory on orthodontic assistant duties, office routine and malocclusion classifications are presented. Dental - Medical emergencies are studied, including emergency equipment, prevention, causes, and treatment of office emergencies. Related areas of pharmacology and oxygen administration are introduced. Career development training emphasizes dressing for success. Students also study related dental terminology and spelling.
Chairside Restorative Materials
Course Length: 3 Weeks
Credit Units: 3
This course is designed to provide students with entry-level knowledge of chairside assisting duties and techniques practiced in general dentistry with emphasis on sit-down, four-handed dentistry. The student will apply the concepts of infection control in the dental office utilizing OSHA and CDC regulations, which include Personal Protective Equipment. The study of tooth morphology and anatomy will be continued. Students learn how to handle and transfer dental instruments and place materials on models. Properties and manipulation of common dental materials, including amalgam, composites, glass ionomers and sealants, are presented. Students practice required RDA procedures such as placement, wedging, and removal of matrices, and the placement of cement bases and liners on Typodont manikins. Special considerations for disabled and abused patients are presented. Children's dentistry (pediatric dentistry) as a specialty is presented. Career development training concentrates on the self-directed job search. Students also study related dental spelling and terminology.
Laboratory Materials & Techniques
Course Length: 3 Weeks
Credit Units: 3
The student will apply the concepts of infection control in the dental office utilizing OSHA and CDC regulations, which include Personal Protective Equipment. The study of tooth morphology and anatomy will be continued. Students receive hands-on training in taking impressions and constructing study and master casts. Students are exposed to a variety of impression and gypsum materials and procedures for their use. The casts are then used to practice dental procedures such as the fabrication of custom trays and temporary crowns. Students practice placement and removal of temporary sedative dressings on Typodont manikins according to RDA standards. Prosthodontics as a specialty is presented with instruction in crown and bridge procedures and full and partial dentures. Students are introduced to dental implants and the various types of mouth guards such as night guards, sports guards and bleaching trays. Laboratory safety and infection control are presented. Instruction in career development focuses on starting a new job. Students also study related dental spelling and terminology.
Advanced Chairside Functions / Coronal Polishing
Course Length: 3 Weeks
Credit Units: 3
(Prerequisite of Completion of Course #D0720) In this course, students will practice dental office simulations including charting, chairside assisting, Bleaching trays, theory pit and fissure sealants and restorative and lab procedures to include Alginate impressions pouring models and trimming. Students will also practice theory and practical Tofflemire matrix placement, temporaries, acrylic and metal ion as well as theory and practical periodontics / periodontal dressing. The student will cover the mechanical skills in general RDA procedures to include Coronal polish theory and procedures. Completion of coronal polish requirements will permit the assistant to perform the procedure after obtaining the Registered Dental Assistant license. Students will also review related dental terminology, policies and procedures applicable to dental assisting. A review on career development and the interviewing process will be finally presented. The student will explore what is needed to obtain the Registered Dental Assistant License. Students also study related dental terminology and spelling.
* Students will be required to provide 2 patients 18 years of age or older for coronal polishing certification practice during the course. See Dental Department for details.
Dental Office Management
Course Length: 3 Weeks
Credit Units: 3
This course focuses on basic administrative procedures and receptionist-related duties performed in the dental office. Emphasis will be placed on the topic of psychology in the dental profession. The student will review the concepts of infection control in the dental office utilizing OSHA and CDC regulations, which include Personal Protective Equipment. The study of tooth morphology and anatomy will be continued. Routine office procedures such as appointment scheduling, filing, mail handling, inventory control and telephone communication are included. Students are introduced to the legal and ethical responsibilities of the dentist and the dental staff. They become familiar with records management systems and learn how to take case histories and obtain information for the completion of dental records. They also work with a pegboard system to accomplish tasks in cash management and reconciliation. An introduction to dental insurance and the procedures required in coding and billing is included. Students use computerized practice management software to complete dental insurance claims and patient records. Career development instruction is included and focuses on identifying skills necessary for employment. Students also study related dental terminology and spelling.
Career Development
Course Length: 3 weeks
Credit Units: 3
This course provides instruction in the art of getting a job. Students will be introduced to resume preparation, job search strategies, interview techniques, goal setting, dress for success and career development techniques. The course is designed to provide the student with successful strategies and techniques for finding employment opportunities and successfully negotiating the resume, interview and negotiation of employment processes. The course will also provide the student opportunities to do targeted outside job searches and interviews during the term of instruction.
Externship
Course Length: 4 Weeks
Credit Units: 8
Upon successful completion of classroom training, Dental Assisting students participate in a 160-hour externship. Serving an externship at an approved facility gives externs and opportunity to work with patients and apply the principles and practices learned in the classroom. Externs work under the direct supervision of qualified personnel in participating institutions and under general supervision of the school staff. Externs will be evaluated by supervisory personnel at 80 and 160-hour intervals. Completed evaluation forms are placed in the students' permanent records
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