Dental Assisting

Introduction to the healthcare profession for students starting an allied health diploma program. Covers medical terminology, anatomy and physiology basics, infection control, HIPAA, OSHA, HIV/AIDS, professional codes of ethics, medical insurance and billing, keyboarding, computer applications, and professionalism. CPR certification included.

Covers the basics of dental anatomy with emphasis on head and neck anatomy, supporting oral structures, and the universal tooth numbering system for permanent and primary dentition. Topics include embryology, histology, tooth morphology, charting, and microbiology. Students learn infection control and clinical asepsis protocols including operatory disinfection, instrument decontamination, and sterilization using approved methods. Provides an introduction to the dental profession and the roles of the dental team.

Introduces pre-clinical essential dental assisting skills and procedures. Covers instrumentation, infection and hazard control, equipment safety, and equipment maintenance. Students practice dental tray setups for a variety of procedures and specialty areas, assist with oral examinations, and learn dental charting and patient treatment records. Also covers patient management and interpersonal communication.

Introduces the theory of structure, properties, and procedures related to dental materials. Students practice safety and universal precautions for the lab. Materials covered include gypsum, restorative materials, dental cements, impression materials, acrylics and thermoplastics, waxes, fabrication of casts, temporary crown and/or bridge materials, abrasive agents for polishing, and study casts/occlusal registrations.

Covers chairside assisting, instruments, and the management of pain and anxiety. Students learn to assist the dentist at the chair through various dental procedures including transferring instruments, evacuation, and how to prepare, safely transfer, and care for the anesthetic syringe and accessories.

Focuses on dental radiography. Covers radiographic techniques and procedures including digital and 3-D radiography. Students learn the operation of industry imaging systems, safety precaution measures, equipment minimizing risk to the patient and dental personnel, aseptic techniques, radiation hygiene, and quality assurance.

Presents specialized areas including endodontics, oral maxillofacial surgery, oral pathology, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, fixed prosthodontics, and removable prosthodontics. Includes plaque, calculus, and stain formation, tooth morphology as related to stain removal, and principles of selecting abrasives, polishing agents, and disclosing solution. Covers restorative materials and techniques, laboratory and impression materials, and dental dam placement. Students perform coronal polish.

Covers administration and organization of the dental practice including patient flow, staff assignments, financial responsibilities, inventory and supply ordering, business communication, and recordkeeping. Includes dental insurance billing and coding. Career development topics include professionalism, work ethics, human behavior, communication, and legal issues facing the dental practice.

Students participate in 300 hours of externship across a minimum of two San Antonio-area dental offices. Externs work with patients and apply classroom principles in real San Antonio-area dental practices. More than 50% of externship hours are completed in general dentistry offices (which may include pediatric dental offices); remaining hours may be completed in specialty dental practices. Externship site personnel conduct student evaluations.