Certified Dental Assisting Program (DENT) Program Outline PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Pre 1998 OUTLINE EFFECTIVE DATE: September 2018 PROGRAM OUTLINE REVIEW DATE: April 2023 GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Certified Dental Assisting Program is a full-time, ten month program that prepares graduates to work as Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs). The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. Program graduates are eligible to write the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) exam which, upon successful completion, allows graduates to obtain registration and licensure with the Dental Assisting Regulatory Authorities. Registration and licensure in each province is required to work as a CDA in Canada. The program curriculum is developed and guided in accordance to the Health Professions Act Dentist s Regulation A Guide to CDA Services from the College of Dental Surgeons of BC. More information about specific curriculum content can be found in the online course outlines. Certificate A Certified Dental Assisting Certificate is awarded to students who successfully complete the CDA program curriculum. General Skills Developed The core of the program focuses on a patient-centered approach to care supporting an individual s improvement of their oral health for their personal health and well-being. Theory and skills include clinical operations, chairside procedures, intra-oral procedures, patient education and interpersonal skills. Students must be prepared to attend two unpaid, three week practicums in communities other than Cranbrook to successfully complete the program. Program Completion and Employment Opportunities CDAs are vital members of the dental health team working in private dental clinics, specialists offices and in community health. 1
Program Information: The ten-month full-time program combines lecture and clinical practice to prepare students for a career as a Certified Dental Assistant. Delivery: This program is delivered face to face. COTR Credits: N/A Hours for this program: 1200 hours Year I Typical Structure of Instructional Hours: Instructional Activity Duration Lecture Hours 439 * Clinical Hours 566.5 Practicum Orientation & Post Meeting 2.5 1 st Practicum (on the job work experience) 2 nd Practicum (on the job work experience) Other Hours Orientation/Review of Student Handbook 90 90 12 Total 1200 Practicum Hours (if applicable): Type of Practicum Duration On-the-job Experience 180 Formal Work Experience N/A Other N/A Total 180 Individual course outlines provide this information Program Outline Author or Contact: Marla Jones, BA, CDA Signature APPROVAL SIGNATURES: Department Head Norma Sherret E-mail: nsherret@cotr.bc.ca Dean of Health and Human Services Heather Hepworth E-mail: hepworth@cotr.bc.ca Department Head Signature Dean Signature EDCO Valid from: September 2018 April 2023 Education Council Approval Date Oct. 11, 2017 tf Z:\OUTLINE\ProgramOutline\2018 Fall\DENT.docx 2
PROGRAM PREREQUISITES AND TRANSFER CREDIT: Admission Requirements: Academic Requirements: Grade 12 or equivalent. Minimum 65% in English 12 or equivalent, minimum 65% in one of the following sciences: Biology 11, BIOL 080, Biology 12, BIOL 090, Chemistry 11, CHEM 080, Chemistry 12 or CHEM 090. Non-Academic Requirements: The following must be completed prior to being admitted to the program: Two-day job-shadowing of a CDA in a dental office (form in the admissions package). Solicitor s General Criminal Record Check; * Students must acquire a valid CPR Level C certificate prior to entering the program. This certificate must remain valid throughout the program. Computer literacy is recommended. * A criminal record may reduce an applicant s access to the program or to employment opportunities and licensing following graduation. Applicants disclosing a criminal record are guided to explore other options. Depending on the nature of the offence, options may include applying for a pardon. Any associated cost is the responsibility of the student. Language Requirements: For language requirements, please visit: https://www.cotr.bc.ca/internl/cotr_web.asp?idnumber=185 The following must be completed after admission: A dental screening form to be completed and signed by a dentist and returned to Dental Faculty on the first day of class (form in the admissions package). This is required to enable students to act as patients for each other during clinical sessions. Graduation Requirements: Students must complete each course of the Certified Dental Assisting program with a minimum passing grade of 70%. Flexible Assessment (FA): Credit can be awarded for this course through FA Yes No Transfer Credit: For transfer information within British Columbia, Alberta and other institutions, please visit http://www.cotr.bc.ca/transfer. Students should also contact an academic advisor at the institution where they want transfer credit. Oct. 11, 2017 tf Z:\OUTLINE\ProgramOutline\2018 Fall\DENT.docx 3
Program Design: DENT 100 Introduction to Dental Assisting DENT 130 Microbiology and Infection Control DENT 131 Basic Dental Assisting DENT 132 Patient Assessment DENT 133 Dental Office Emergencies DENT 134 Preventative Dentistry DENT 135 Dental Radiography DENT 136 Restorative Assisting DENT 137 Laboratory Procedures DENT 140 Dental Specialties DENT 154 Clinical Dental Assisting Procedures DENT Prac I Three Week Practicum Placement DENT 141 Community Dental Health DENT 142 Dental Reception DENT 143 Patient Care Procedures DENT Prac II Three Week Practicum Placement COURSE GRADE: Course grades are assigned as follows: A+ A A- B+ B B- F DENT 95 94-90 89-85 84-80 79-75 74-70 < 70 EXAM POLICY: Students must achieve a minimum of 70% on all final exams. The programs re-write policy is described in detail in the CDA Program Handbook. Students must achieve an overall grade of 70% to pass this course. FOR: Dent 154 -Clinical Dental Assisting Procedures; Work Experience 1 Dent Prac 1; and Work Experience 2 Dent Prac 2. COM NCG Completed to defined standard No Credit Granted Oct. 11, 2017 tf Z:\OUTLINE\ProgramOutline\2018 Fall\DENT.docx 4
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: DENT 100 Introduction to Dental Assisting This course introduces students to the members of the dental team to aid in understanding their education, qualifications and the skills they contribute to patient care. As health care team members in BC, students will have certain rights and legal responsibilities to which they must adhere. Students study terminology and begin the study of anatomy. Students also develop communication skills to effectively communicate with patients to obtain health histories and maintain patient records. Experiences are also provided to help students learn to work with others, while building and enhancing team member and conflict resolution skills. Emphasis is also placed on the need for respectfully acknowledging the diversity of patients seen in dental practice. DENT 130 Microbiology and Infection Control This course covers the detailed procedures that students and dental assistants must carry out for the aseptic treatment of instruments and equipment. This course also covers basic terminology as well as descriptions of microorganisms and their modes of transmission. Students learn how to destroy microorganisms and help prevent potential disease. Students learn detailed sterilization techniques for instruments and dental equipment before, during and after treatment. DENT 131 Basic Dental Assisting This course covers the maintenance and management of the dental operatory equipment, safe handling and transferring of dental instruments, and methods used for safely assisting during the dental procedures. DENT 132 Patient Assessment Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs) use the skills learned in this course in their daily practice of dentistry. Students are introduced to the skills required to take and monitor a patient s vital signs. Students cover in detail the basic anatomy of the head and neck, and the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, looking specifically at occlusion and the relationship to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Students study in detail the armamentarium, procedures and methods for dental anesthesia. Annotation of these conditions in a legible, efficient manner is vital to communication between dentist, dental personnel and patient. Students learn to record data as a vital part of patient assessment. This course also covers oral cancers and the process for taking and managing biopsy specimens. DENT 133 Dental Office Emergencies This course should prepare participants for emergency situations that may occur in a dental practice and provide methods to prevent such emergencies. Students learn about a variety of medications and drugs used in dentistry. Emergency kits are essential for all dental offices and will be discussed. This course also covers drug management and correct storage conditions, prescriptions, signs and symptoms of substance abuse, the legal and ethical aspects of drug health hazards, and safety in dentistry. DENT 134 Preventative Dentistry This course introduces students to the basic concepts of oral self-care, and the philosophy and evolution of preventive dentistry. This course covers concepts of health and disease, with detailed information on the causes of dental disease, and how this affects the general state of health. Students learn about the major causative agents of dental disease, enabling them to play an active preventive role in teaching patients about hard and soft deposits and the patient s role in the disease fighting process. This course provides students with information on removing deposits and preventing disease through the use of devices and therapeutic agents. Students discover methods to enhance patients learning in general and how to apply this to teaching oral self-care. Oct. 11, 2017 tf Z:\OUTLINE\ProgramOutline\2018 Fall\DENT.docx 5
DENT 135 Dental Radiography This course introduces students to the basic science of radiation including its discovery, history, and modern use within the dental profession. Participants study the necessary equipment for both analog and digital radiography and supplies for the various types of films and images that are utilized in the dental profession. This course teaches students to critique films and explain the cause and effect of various equipment and armamentaria adjustments. Students review tips for gaining patient cooperation and a variety of techniques for exposing films intra- and extra- orally. Students cover how to process films. Once radiographic processing is complete students are responsible to correctly mount radiographs using anatomical landmarks to help accomplish this activity. Quality assurance and the As Low As Responsibly Acceptable (ALARA) principle are also addressed. DENT 136 Restorative Assisting Moisture control is often the responsibility of the Certified Dental Assistant. Skilled dental dam application provides for excellent isolation. This course also covers additional methods of moisture control, such as cotton roll management and dental materials. The curriculum of this course also reflects many restorative procedures performed in general practice: composite restorations, amalgam restorations and fixed and removable prosthodontic procedures. DENT 137 Laboratory Procedures This course is designed to introduce the student to the dental lab and some of the commonly used pieces of equipment to fabricate and produce various dental products. Studies include different kinds of dental lab materials. Students also learn to work with these materials while they create patient models and custom trays. Students study common fixed direct dental restorations and removable prosthesis, as well as how these are fabricated in the dental lab. Lastly, students cover specific appliances used for such purposes as improved aesthetics and mouth protection. DENT 140 Dental Specialties This course introduces students to the materials, procedures and instrumentation used for several dental specialties. Topics include endodontics, which concerns saving the diseased tooth; orthodontics, the prevention and correction of malocclusion; periodontal practice, the study and treatment of the periodontium, oral and maxillofacial surgery; the study of surgical intervention and indications of oral surgery; and pedodontics, studying preventive and restorative procedures used for treating children. DENT 141 Community Dental Health This course focuses on health promotion messages in the context of community health care. Students have the opportunity to prepare and present educational sessions to the public, while under the supervision of a licensed instructor. Certified Dental Assistants often provide nutritional and oral health counseling within a dental office or in a public health setting. Students also learn about caring for geriatric patients and people with disabilities. DENT 142 Dental Reception This course provides basic information for work at the front desk of the dental office. This course provides an overview of the common skills necessary to keep an office running smoothly when the regular receptionist is absent. Course topics include patient communication with regards to the front desk, including face-to-face and telephone communications, appointment control and recall systems utilizing computer software; patient accounts, dental insurance and other financial duties of the receptionist or office manager, and, office organization and written communication. Students also create a cover letter and résumé to use in seeking employment, and review interview skills. Oct. 11, 2017 tf Z:\OUTLINE\ProgramOutline\2018 Fall\DENT.docx 6
DENT 143 Patient Care Procedures This course covers a variety of procedures that a Certified Dental Assistant needs to perform to provide intraoral and preventive care for patients. These skills include pulp vitality testing, the placement of treatment liners and varnish in teeth without pulpal involvement, and the application of primer and bond. Students will also learn patient care procedures such as alginate impressions, tooth whitening concepts and the fabrication of tooth whitening trays and mouthguards. Coronal polishing is focused on as an essential part of practice for complete patient care. Students develop skills on preventative procedures including pit and fissure sealants, and the use of desensitizing agents, suture removal, retraction cord and periodontal pack removal. DENT 154 Clinical Dental Assisting Procedures Section 1 of Clinical Dental Assisting Procedures concentrates on the practical objectives you have learned about in DENT 100 through DENT 142 as well as the course learning outcomes. Your time is spent in demonstration, practice and evaluation of these skills under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor. Prerequisite requirements for Section 2: completion of Section 1 of this course is required for Work Experience 1 (DENT PRAC 1). Section 2 concentrates on the practical elements of Certified Dental Assisting (CDA) that you have learned about in DENT 141 and DENT 143. This is your opportunity to apply the theory and knowledge you gained at chairside into actual practice as the operator under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor. You need to master these skills in order to be eligible to become a CDA. Completion of Section 2 of this course is required for Work Experience 2 (DENT PRAC 2). DENT PRAC 1 Work Experience 1 Work Experience I provides an opportunity for dental assisting practice in a general dentistry office. It focuses on professional conduct and communication skills, clinical support procedures, chairside assisting, and lab procedures. The practicum enables students to build on skills and knowledge learned before placement and to integrate them into the private practice setting. DENT PRAC 2 Work Experience 2 Work Experience 2 provides an opportunity for dental assisting practice in general dentistry offices. It focuses on professional conduct and communication skills, clinical support procedures, chairside assisting, patient care procedures, and lab procedures. The practicum enables students to build on skills and knowledge learned before placement and to integrate them into the private practice setting. ACADEMIC POLICIES: See www.cotr.bc.ca/policies for general college policies related to course activities, including grade appeals, cheating and plagiarism. Oct. 11, 2017 tf Z:\OUTLINE\ProgramOutline\2018 Fall\DENT.docx 7
PROGRAM CHANGES: Information contained in program outlines is correct at the time of publication. Content of the courses is revisited on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and marketing needs. The instructor endeavours to provide notice of changes to students as soon from courses. Oct. 11, 2017 tf Z:\OUTLINE\ProgramOutline\2018 Fall\DENT.docx 8