DEA 507 - Principles of Dental Assisting

1. Demonstrate proficiency in understanding and usage of correct dental terminology
   1. Outline the importance of understanding and using proper terminology
   2. Describe how to use a prefix, suffix and root words to determine meaning
   3. Outline how words are formed
   4. Describe how and when to use a dictionary and or reference
2. Identify the specific responsibilities of each dental health team member.
   1. Name each dental team member
   2. Describe skills necessary for each team member position
   3. Identify educational responsibilities of each team members position
   4. Identify the level of patient contact for each team member position
3. Identify the specific functions legal for Dental Assistants of Iowa
   1. Define the responsibility of the Iowa State Board of Dental Examiners
   2. Identify the State Practice Act guidelines
4. Apply the principles of four handed dentistry
   1. Identify the zones of activity for chairside assisting
   2. Outline 2 handed/4 handed transfer
   3. Summarize the principles of body mechanics
   4. Outline operator/assistant/patient proper postural positioning
   5. Identify the classifications of motion
5. Evacuate and maintain the operating field
   1. List the criteria for suction tip placement
   2. List the criteria for saliva ejector placement
   3. State the primary concerns in proper suction tip placement
   4. List uses of oral evacuators
   5. Identify all types of oral evacuation tips
   6. State the function of the saliva ejector
   7. Recall methods of tissue retraction
   8. Define surgical aspiration vs. conventional
   9. Identify common suction tip grasps
6. Assemble instruments and assist in general dental procedures
   1. Select correct instruments for tray set-ups to ready for 4-handed dentistry
   2. Outline order of instrumentation for procedures
   3. Select the correct instrument placement on the trays
   4. Identify the correct technique to deliver and retrieve instruments
   5. Define zones of activities
   6. Identify proper patient positioning for areas of operation
   7. State proper suctioning technique/placement
   8. Identify purpose/use of compressed air
   9. State precautions for using compressed air
   10. Describe the advantages of using a mobile cart
   11. Identify lighting criteria
7. Identify various types and functions of dental operatory equipment
   1. Identify and demonstrate operational parts of a contoured chair
   2. List the requirements for a dental operating chair for the dentist and the assistant
   3. List the criteria for the assistant and operator’s stool
   4. Identify the function and operation of all parts of the unit used in our dental clinic
   5. State the function of oral evacuation/compressed air systems
   6. State the function of the cavitron/Tital ultrasonic
   7. State the function of the prophy jet
   8. State the function of the vitality tester
   9. Define slow speed rotary and pieces and right angles
   10. Identify the different types of rotary instruments and their application
   11. Identify what governs the functions of rotary instruments
   12. Identify the different types/shapes of burs
   13. Recall the numbering system associated with burs
   14. Identify types and uses of all abrasives
   15. Identify types of units involved in sterilization
   16. Identify types/uses of ultrasonic cleaners
   17. Discuss the maintenance program suggested by manufacturer for dental equipment
8. Identify types and functions of various dental instruments
   1. Define handcutting instruments
   2. Identify the components of handcutting instruments
   3. Identify four types of shank designs
   4. Define the G.V. Black formula
   5. Identify and state the function of all instruments used in an amalgam procedure
   6. Identify and state the function of all instruments used in a composite procedure
   7. Identify and state the function of all instruments used in a crown and bridge procedure
   8. Identify and state the function of all instruments used in a root canal procedure
   9. Identify and state the function of all instruments used in a surgical procedure
   10. Identify and state the function of all other/miscellaneous instruments
9. Maintain dental operatory equipment and instruments
   1. Define sterilization vs. disinfection
   2. Identify the source of manufacturers guidelines for maintenance
   3. Identify various manufacturer supplied or recommended lubricants for appropriate handpieces/equipment and uses
   4. Outline the need for scheduled maintenance
   5. Identify the correct type of sterilization technique appropriate for instrument/equipment types
10. Differentiate between aseptic and non-aseptic environments
    1. Define aseptic
    2. Define non-aseptic
    3. Outline measures to be taken to promote an aseptic situation
11. Perform aseptic handwashing technique
    1. Define a procedural scrub
    2. Prepare yourself for the handwashing technique
    3. Prepare the area for the handwashing technique
    4. Identify technique consistency to completion
    5. Outline “do’s” and “don’t do’s” of handwashing
12. Describe methods of disinfection and sterilization
    1. State the difference between sterilization and disinfection
    2. Identify all equipment that produces sterilization
    3. Identify the types of chemical solutions available to produce disinfection
    4. Identify which chemical solutions can achieve sterilization per manufacturer’s instructions
13. Define modes of disease transmission
    1. Define disease transmission
    2. Identify aseptic techniques/environments
    3. Outline barriers to disease transmission
14. Prepare and maintain accurate patient records
    1. Identify the essential parts of patient records
    2. Outline the need for clear/accurate patient records
    3. Outline the rules for patient record completion for patient and operator/auxiliaries
15. Seat and dismiss patients
    1. Demonstrate communication principles during seating and dismissing of patient
    2. Demonstrate preparation of the treatment room prior to receiving and after dismissal
    3. Identify proper patient positioning for procedures
    4. Discuss patient/team comfort
    5. Discuss cautions and precautions in seating and patient dismissal
16. Identify and instruct patients on applicable methods of preventive dentistry
    1. Define preventive dentistry
    2. Define plaque and its formation
    3. Outline considerations in regard to caries and periodontal disease
    4. Identify etiological components of all dental disease
    5. Describe the necessary components of the dental disease formula
    6. Define fluoride and its sources
    7. Define acceptable toothbrushing methods and their appropriate application
    8. Describe the correct dental flossing technique
    9. Describe toothbrush designs and properties and their appropriate applications
    10. Describe the different types of dental floss available and their appropriate applications
    11. Identify disclosing agents and their use
    12. Identify available dentifrices and their appropriate applications
    13. Identify oral devices and their application to promote greater oral health
    14. Identify special needs of patients
    15. Discuss needs/methods of reinforcement and motivation
17. Prepare and set up for oral prophylaxis and anticariogenic treatments
    1. Define oral prophylaxis
    2. Outline the difference between coronal polish, scaling and root planing
    3. Outline the sequence of procedures for performing a coronal polish
    4. Outline methods to ensure patient/operator safety and comfort
    5. Outline the principles of polishing and the relationship between the method of application of a polishing agent and its effect on tooth structure
    6. Identify instruments/equipment used for an oral prophylaxis
    7. Define topical fluoride and its uses
    8. Define types of fluoride and their application
    9. Identify different modes of fluoride application
    10. Outline the techniques used to ensure patient safety and comfort
    11. Identify equipment used for fluoride applications
18. Identify the elements of nutrition, basic food groups and acceptable diets
    1. Identify categories of food groups/nutrients
    2. Identify purposes and uses for food
    3. Outline the basic role of nutrition as related to dentistry
    4. Identify the direct/indirect factors which influence food preferences/habits
    5. Outline the information on the R.D.A
    6. Outline food labeling regulations
    7. Identify methods used in assessing a patient’s nutritional status
19. Apply communication principles of patient management
    1. Identify the concepts that deal with the psychological aspects of the patient
    2. Outline the professional aspects of communication
    3. Outline the personal aspects of communication and role behavior in the dental environment
    4. Define personal space
    5. Identify the role ethnic and sociological backgrounds play in behavior
    6. Identify the factors that can influence social behavior
    7. Identify our basic needs as human beings
20. Demonstrate the principles of instrument transfer
    1. Identify instruments and their application grasp
    2. Outline the delivery and retrieval of instruments for which grasps are used
    3. Outline the reversal of double ended instruments to be opposite end retransferred
    4. Outline the same-end transfer
    5. Outline the rules that govern instrument transfer
21. Collect and record patient vital signs
    1. Outline rationale for taking patient history
    2. Outline techniques of gaining medical/dental history
    3. Identify common locations for obtaining a pulse and characteristics to monitor
    4. Identify normal pulse ranges
    5. Outline the physiologic mechanism of arterial blood pressure
    6. Outline the equipment and its function required to monitor a blood pressure
    7. Outline the appropriate steps in taking a blood pressure reading and its recording
    8. Define the normal ranges of a blood pressure and factors which cause variances
    9. Identify characteristics to look for in respiration
    10. Outline steps in evaluating and recording respiration
    11. Define normal range of respiration
    12. Identify the need of a general assessment of the patient
22. Perform an oral cancer exam for a patient
    1. Identify the tray set up
    2. Outline tissue/skin characteristics which should be assessed and recorded
    3. Outline types of questions asked if deviations from normal are present
    4. Outline the procedural steps for the extra oral exam and the recording of information
    5. Outline the procedural steps for the intra-oral exam and the recording of information
    6. Identify patient management techniques
23. Demonstrate infection control techniques designed to prevent the spread of transmitted diseases to the care of all patients following OSHA/CDC guidelines
    1. Outline current CDC/OSHA guidelines concerning patient/team protection
    2. Identify information/equipment sources to achieve compliance
    3. Outline dentist/staff responsibilities as specified by OSHA
24. Identify those who contribute to the dental profession
    1. Identify oral disease indications from the beginning of time
    2. List the names of individuals who had a great impact on the profession of dentistry
    3. Identify the people who promoted education and organized dentistry
    4. Explain what DDS, DMD, CDA and RDH stand for
    5. Identify the eight specialties of dentistry
    6. Describe generally what career skills dental hygienist, dental assistants, and dental laboratory technicians perform
    7. List the education required for and the professional organizations that represent each profession
25. Identify the areas dental staff members must be trained for a safe workplace
    1. Identify the rationale, regulations, recommendations and training that govern infection control in the dental office
    2. Describe how pathogens travel from person to person in the dental office
    3. Lit the three primary routes of microbial transmission and the associated dental procedures that affect the dental assistant
    4. Demonstrate the principles of infection control, including medical history, hand washing, personal protective equipment, barriers, chemical disinfectants, ultrasonic cleaners, sterilizers, and instrument storage
    5. List various disinfectants and their applications as used in dentistry
    6. Demonstrate the usage of several types of sterilization monitors, such as biological process indicators
    7. Identify and show the proper usage of pre-procedure mouth rinses, high volume evacuation, dental dams and disposable items
    8. Identify and demonstrate the correct protocol for disinfecting, cleaning, and sterilizing prior to seating the patient, as well as at the end of the dental treatment in the dental radiography area, and in the dental laboratory
26. Identify the Occupational Safety and health Administration regulations, including the hazard communication standard, and their requirements of the employer to provide a safe work environment
    1. Identify the scope of the OSHA Bloodborne/Hazardous Materials Standard
    2. Identify physical equipment and mechanical devices provided to safeguard employees
    3. Demonstrate safe disposal of sharps
    4. Describe MSDS manuals
    5. Demonstrate the use of the colors and numbers used for hazardous chemical identification
    6. Describe employee training required to meet the OSHA standard for hazardous chemicals