DAA 116 - Assisting in General Dentistry

1. Collect and record clinical data using a preliminary physical examination with dental charting, diagnostic aids, and treatment documentation.
2. Describe and recognize proper posture, motions, and actions that reduce the risk of work-related injuries.
3. Recognize and respond to possible medical and dental emergencies which can occur in a dental office, with all types of dental patients.
4. Describe how to provide oral and written pre- and post- treatment instructions.
5. Describe and prepare a treatment room for a dental patient.
6. Describe and prepare a dental patient for chairside dental procedures using the four-handed dentistry techniques.
7. Select and prepare armamentarium for general dental and dental emergency procedures.
8. Describe how to perform and/or assist with intraoral dental procedures.
9. Describe and demonstrate patient management during dental procedures.
10. Use the concepts of four-handed dentistry to assist with general dentistry and dental emergency procedures.
11. Describe, prepare, manipulate, and apply dental materials used in a general dental office.
12. Demonstrate and perform patient, patient education, and oral health management.
13. Describe how to perform maintenance of the dental equipment and instruments, as well as care and storage of supplies in a dental practice.
14. Translate or explain what written information means and/or how it can be used. 
15. Complete work accurately, with attention to detail. 
16. Develop a plan to implement a solution to a problem or issue. 

A. Preliminary Physical exam

1. Describe how to record the purpose of patient’s visit and/or chief complaint
2. Describe how to assess patient’s general physical condition        
3. Demonstrate an understanding of how to take, record, observe and measure vital signs
4. Demonstrate how to recognize and describe any abnormal findings in the head and neck region

B. Charting

1. Identify the permanent and primary teeth using the Universal numbering system
2. Identify the surfaces of the teeth
3. Describe how to chart conditions in the patient’s oral cavity and how to accurately put in patient’s chart

C. Diagnostic Aids

1. Describe how to prepare for and assist with the collection of diagnostic data
2. Describe how and take impressions for diagnostic study casts

D. Treatment Documentation

1. Describe how to record treatment and prescriptions on a patient’s chart
2. Describe how to record recommended treatment and patient’s acceptance or refusal of recommended treatment
3. Describe how to record patient’s compliance

II. Four-Handed Dentistry Techniques

A. Chairside dental procedures

1. Describe how to prepare the treatment room for a patient

2. Describe how to prepare appropriate treatment trays with armamentarium in sequence of use and delivery position

3. Describe how to seat and prepare a patient, including how to position and adjust equipment

4. Describe how to implement four-handed dentistry concepts in all treatment procedures, including:

1. Access and visibility for treatment procedures
2. Correct positioning for prescribed dental treatment
3. Instrument transfers     

B. Select and Prepare Armamentarium

1. Select and describe how to prepare tray set-ups and all necessary armamentaria for chairside dentistry including:

1. Amalgam restorations
2. Anesthetics
3. Bleaching procedures
4. Composite restorations
5. Dental dam application
6. Fluoride application
7. Initial impressions
8. Oral examinations
9. Oral prophylaxis
10. Rotary instruments
11. Sealant application

C. Perform and/or assist with intraoral procedures

1. Describe how to perform and/or assist with intraoral procedures including:

1. Maintain field of operation during dental procedures
2. Place and remove cotton rolls and cellulose wafers
3. Assist with and/or polish teeth
4. Assist with and/or apply topical fluoride
5. Assist with and or apply and remove dental dam
6. Prepare, assist with and/or apply and remove matrix bands
7. Assist with and/or apply topical anesthetic to site of injection
8. Identify and change rotary instruments in dental handpieces
9. Administration of anesthetics
10. Cavity preparations and restorations
11. Fluoride application
12. Occlusal adjustments
13. Oral exam and data collection
14. Oral prophylaxis
15. Placement of sealants
16. Post-operative treatment and complications
17. Taking impressions

2. Use concepts of four-handed dentistry to describe how to assist with general dentistry and dental emergency procedures including:

1. Administration of anesthetics
2. Cavity preparation and restoration
3. Fluoride application
4. Occlusal equilibration/adjustment
5. Selective polish
6. Placement of sealants
7. Post-operative treatment and complications
8. Taking initial impressions

D. Patient Management

1. Demonstrate understanding of how to calm and reassure apprehensive patients

2. Describe how to manage patients, including patients with special needs, during routine clinical procedures

3. Describe how to monitor and record patient’s response to drugs/medications

III. Chairside Dental Materials – Preparation, Manipulation, and Application

A. Impressions

1. Describe how to prepare, mix, deliver and store materials for alginate impressions

B. Restorative

1. Describe how to prepare, mix, deliver and store restorative materials for:

1. Amalgam
2. Composites
3. Varnishes, bases and liners

C. Other Dental Materials

1. Describe how to prepare, mix, deliver and store restorative materials for:

1. Bleaching agents
2. Bonding agents
3. Etchants
4. Pit and fissure sealants

IV. Patient Education and Oral Health Management

A. Oral Health Information

1. Describe how to implement patient dental health education presentations including:

1. Special dental health needs
2. Explain and clarify the procedures and services being delivered
3. Explain the effects of all types of fluoride, the advantages of various methods of administration, and the dangers and results of overdosage

B. Pre-/Post Treatment Instruction

1. Describe how to provide oral and written pre-and post-treatment instructions

C. Understanding of Plaque Control Techniques

1. Demonstrate and understanding of plaque control techniques including:

1. Appropriate toothbrush selection and brushing techniques
2. Evaluating oral healthcare status and habits
3. Evaluate response to home-care therapy
4. Select and use oral hygiene devices (brushes, floss, etc.)
5. Select and use plaque disclosing aids

V. Prevention and Management of Emergencies

A. Medical Conditions/Emergencies

1. Recognize and respond to medical emergencies that can occur in the dental office including:

1. Alcohol/substance abuse
2. Allergies
3. Asthma
4. Blood dyscarasias
5. Cancer
6. Cardiovascular disease
7. Diabetes mellitus or hypoglycemia
8. Emphysema
9. Epilepsy
10. Hypertension or hypotension
11. Kidney or liver problems
12. Pregnancy
13. Prosthetic replacements
14. Respiratory infection
15. Rheumatic fever
16. Ulcers

2. Recognize medications related to the patient’s present and/or past medical/dental history

3. Demonstrate understanding of preventive measures to be used following drug administration to avoid drug-induced emergencies

4. Describe how to respond to and assist in the management of the signs and symptoms related to specific medical conditions/emergencies likely to occur in the dental office including:

1. Airway obstruction
2. Allergic reactions     
3. Blood loss
4. Cardiovascular or cerebrovascular irregularities
5. Contagious diseases
6. Diabetes-or epilepsy-related incidents
7. Fainting
8. Metabolic or neurologic disease
9. Reactions to drugs, anesthetics
10. Respiratory irregularities
11. Shock

5. Describe how to assemble, maintain, and recognize the use of drugs, appropriate emergency supplies, and equipment in the prevention and/or effective management of an emergency

6. Describe how to prepare and post a listing of support personnel

B. Dental Conditions/Emergencies

1. Recognize and respond to dental emergencies that can occur in the dental office including:

1. Oral contagious diseases
2. Soft tissue inflammations of the oral cavity
3. Dental trauma

C. Office Operations

1. Describe how to perform maintenance on the equipment and instruments in the treatment room, per manufacturer’s instructions

2. Describe how to provide appropriate care and storage of supplies

D. patient reception, Communication, and Accounting

1. Demonstrate understanding of patient reception, communication, and accounting including:

1. Initiate referral procedures for the patient as directed
2. Receive and dismiss patients and visitors

E. Legal Aspects of Dentistry

1. Demonstrate understanding of legal records including:

1. Legal significance of medical and dental histories
2. Various types of patient data in the dental office
3. Patient refusal of recommended routine and emergency treatment

Lab: 40-60%

Discussion: 0-30%

 
Mandatory Course Components:
1. Tests

2. Dental Assisting Program Evaluation Forms - as noted in DAA 116 Course Syllabus

3. Final Examination - lab and lecture combined - both must be passed to pass this course.
Equivalent Courses:
None