Dec 06, 2024  
2024-2025 Course Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Course Catalog
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DEA 615 - Clinical Dental Assisting

Credits: 5
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 4
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Voc/Tech
A continuance of Principles of DA I (DEA 507 )  with emphasis on operative dentistry, dental specialties and advanced dental assisting functions
Prerequisite: DEA 507  , DEA 314  , DEA 256  , DEA 413  , DEA 249   
Corequisite: DEA 323  , DEA 260  , DEA 265  , DEA 707  
Competencies
 

  1. Perform dental assisting procedures in general and specialty practices
    1. Summarize dental specialties
    2. Outline the duties that can be legally delegated to auxiliaries
    3. Identify duties exclusive to the dentist
    4. State and demonstrate your responsibility in patient protection
    5. List items necessary to an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan
  2. Examine the use of local anesthetics
    1. Identify properties, side effects, indications and contraindications of anesthetics
    2. Discuss the anatomy/physiology of sensory nerves and nerve fibers and how they are effected by local anesthesia
    3. Compare topical and local anesthetics
    4. Assemble and disassemble the anesthetic syringe
    5. Demonstrate the technique for syringe transfer
    6. Explain the accepted safety guidelines regarding the use of sharps
    7. Describe the procedures for monitoring the patient during anesthetic injections
  3. Assess properties, side effects, indications and contraindications analgesics
    1. Outline the history of analgesics including nitrous oxide.
    2. Compare and contrast analgesia vs. general anesthesia
    3. Recall the various levels of analgesia
    4. State the recovery time necessary
    5. Outline the dentist/auxiliary’s responsibility concerning patient safety
  4. Evaluate the assistant’s role in restorative procedures
    1. Identify the importance of restoring tooth function
    2. Recall GVB cavity classifications
    3. Prepare the required armamentarium for each restorative procedure
    4. Demonstrate the care/preparation for use of all restorative equipment
    5. Display proper application of matrix bands
    6. Utilize proper evacuation technique and variables in use
    7. Demonstrate proper use of the dental lamp
    8. Use dental materials for restorative procedures
    9. Identify auxiliaries’ role in patient management
    10. Attach high-speed rotary hand pieces, attachments and burs
    11. Identify types and uses of abrasives that may be used
    12. Provide pre- and post-operative treatment instructions to patients for the restorative procedures as prescribed by a dentist
  5. Evaluate the assistant’s role in pedodontic procedures and patient management
    1. State factors that influence child behavior
    2. List factors that help establish respect and cooperation
    3. Describe management techniques for each child age group, and other special needs patients
    4. Recall the operative techniques for the child patient that differ from those of the adult patient
    5. Differentiate between the endodontic techniques for the child patient verses the adult patient
    6. Describe the preventive techniques for the child patient that differs from the adult
    7. State factors of concern for the child oral surgery patient from the adult patient
    8. Compare and contrast the radiographic technique for a child patient verses the adult
    9. Identify pedodontic appliances used and their purpose
    10. Discuss patient pre- and post-operative treatment instructions for the pedodontic patient as prescribed by a dentist
  6. Examine objectives, procedures, indications, contraindications and the assistants’ role in removable prosthodontics
    1. Define all terminology used in the specialty of removable prosthodontics
    2. List essentials for a complete diagnosis
    3. Outline degenerative changes that occur from improper replacements
    4. List factors that are important for replacement tooth selection
    5. Describe border molding
    6. Identify materials used and their applications
    7. Outline the use of base plates/wax rims
    8. List problems the denture/partial denture patient may have after delivery
    9. Define advantages/disadvantages of immediate dentures
    10. List the information to be discussed with the patient concerning the appliance
    11. Identify the techniques for denture/partial denture repair
    12. Instruct the patient how to care for removable prosthetic appliances as prescribed by a dentist
  7. Examine objectives, procedures, indications, contraindications and the assistants’ role in fixed prosthodontics
    1. Define all terminology used in this specialty
    2. List the indications/contraindications for a fixed prosthesis
    3. Discuss the components of the diagnosis and the case presentation
    4. Identify the requirements/purpose of a fixed bridge
    5. Identify the types of materials used and their application
    6. Define occlusal registration
    7. List types of temporary coverage
    8. Recall cements that may be used for temporary and permanent crowns
    9. Identify all equipment/materials/accessories used during procedures and their maintenance
    10. Demonstrate patient pre- and post-operative treatment instructions for the prosthodontic patient based on prosthodontic procedure
    11. Instruct the patient how to care for fixed prosthetic appliances as prescribed by a dentist
  8. Examine considerations, objectives, procedures, indications, contraindications and the assistants’ role in orthodontics
    1. Define all terminology used in orthodontics
    2. Identify all instruments/equipment/accessories used in orthodontic procedures chairside/laboratory and their maintenance
    3. List variables to be considered prior to orthodontic treatment
    4. State categories of malocclusion
    5. Discuss special oral hygiene needs of the orthodontic patient as well as the education needed for appliances
    6. Define cephalometry and its purpose
    7. Outline the components of a records appointment
    8. Discuss records management in orthodontics
    9. Outline the procedure for fabrication of an orthodontic retainer
    10. Identify and state the purpose of a space maintainer
    11. Demonstrate patient pre- and post-operative treatment instructions for the orthodontic patient as prescribed by a dentist
  9. Assess considerations, objectives, procedures, indications, contraindications and the assistant’s role in periodontics
    1. Define all terminology used in periodontics
    2. Identify all instruments/equipment used and their appropriate application
    3. Identify variables that must be considered before beginning periodontic therapy
    4. Identify the types of tissues of the periodontium
    5. Define the principal cause of periodontal disease
    6. Compare and contrast periodontosis and periodontitis
    7. Identify tissue conditions and their treatment
    8. Recall charting any pocket involvement
    9. State the purpose of scaling, root planing and curettage
    10. Identify and state the proper application of periodontal materials
    11. Outline and identify the special oral hygiene needs of the periodontal patient
    12. Demonstrate patient pre- and post-operative treatment instructions for the periodontic patient as prescribed by a dentist
  10. Examine considerations, objectives, procedures, indications, contraindications and the assistants’ role in oral surgery
    1. Define all terminology used in this specialty
    2. Identify all instruments/equipment/accessories used, their application and their care and maintenance
    3. Identify the variables/conditions that need to be considered before performing a surgical procedure
    4. Describe patient preparation prior to an oral surgery procedure
    5. State the purpose of sedation and its indication
    6. Identify the importance of patient monitoring and the techniques used
    7. List categories of pre-operative and post-operative medication
    8. State how the surgical scrub is different from a procedural hand wash
    9. State the purpose of exfoliative cytological exam, cytological smear, and a biopsy
    10. Recall classifications of normal/abnormal tissues
    11. Recall suture removal techniques
    12. Demonstrate patient pre- and post-operative treatment instructions for the oral surgery patient as prescribed by a dentist
  11. Examine considerations, objectives, procedures, indications, contraindications and the assistants’ role in endodontics
    1. Define all terminology used in endodontics
    2. Identify all instruments/equipment/accessories used, their application and their maintenance
    3. Identify the variables/conditions that need to be considered before performing a surgical procedure
    4. Define objective and subjective symptoms
    5. Identify clinical symptoms possible for endodontic involvement
    6. Identify normal pulp tissue and periodontium
    7. Describe the specialized diagnostic tests/procedures used in an endodontic evaluation
    8. List methods and medicaments used to disinfect the root canal
    9. Identify the role of antibiotics
    10. State conditions that indicate root canal failure
    11. Identify and discuss radiographic technique for endodontic procedures
    12. Demonstrate patient pre-and post-operative treatment instructions for the endodontic patient as prescribed by a dentist

Competencies Revised Date: AY2025



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