DS 100 - Dental Assisting I

Credit Hours: 4

This combination lecture/lab course introduces the students to the fundamentals of dental assisting while providing the opportunity to practice skills in a clinical setting. Techniques of chairside dental assisting are emphasized as well as clinical procedures, materials, instruments, and equipment. Detailed instruction is provided in infection control procedures and occupational health and safety techniques following CDC and OSHA guidelines.

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

identify the members, functions, and educational requirements of the dental healthcare team;
describe the nine recognized dental specialties;
operate basic dental office equipment;
demonstrate four-handed chairside assisting techniques;
maintain operating field during chairside dental procedures;
name basic hand and rotary instruments and their uses;
assist with dental anesthesia and sedation;
assist with general dentistry procedures;
recognize the diseases of major concern in dentistry;
prevent disease transmission in the dental office;
properly utilize personal protective equipment;
clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces, equipment, and dental unit waterlines;
clean, package, sterilize, and store dental instruments;
implement a quality assurance program for infection control procedures;
develop a hazard communication program for the dental office; and
incorporate ergonomic techniques duringchairside assisting procedures.

Corequisites: All first-semester Dental Assisting courses.
F (N)