Program Goal: The Dental Assistant career diploma program prepares students for an entry-level position as a Dental Assistant.

Program Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

Discuss the personality traits, characteristics, and qualifications required to be a successful dental assistant along with the elements and principles of ethical decision making and HIPAA rules that underpin all good clinical practice

Explain the anatomy and physiology of the head, neck, and oral cavity, including parts of the teeth and types of teeth and how they’re charted in a dental office

Discuss the goals of preventive dentistry and the relationship between nutrition and dental caries

Identify infectious diseases, the modes of disease transmission, and their relationship to patients and occupational risks in a dental office

Describe the best practices and procedures for preventing disease transmission in a dental office, including occupational safety and administrative protocols

Describe the best practices and procedures for obtaining and evaluating radiographic images, including documentation, patient care, equipment, materials, and occupational safety, infection control, and administrative protocols

Describe the procedures used when assisting a dentist and/or dental hygienist in a dental office, including the materials, medications, and equipment used, documentation, and assisting with emergency situations, patients with special needs, and medically compromised patients

Describe the skills, strategies, and equipment used for successful communication in a dental office

Clean and sterilize dental instruments

Explain the front office responsibilities of a dental assistant, including bookkeeping, record keeping, scheduling, billing, processing insurance claims, and other duties using both physical and digital methods

Discuss the importance of professional appearance, professional development, and strategies for seeking employment and resume preparation