Dental Assisting — Lincoln

This course introduces the student to general and dental anatomy and physiology. All the body systems are described in terms of their functions and the head and neck anatomy as it relates to dentistry. The student will learn the landmarks of the head, face and oral cavity. Embryology is covered with specific information covering the human face development and changes during the zygote and embryo phases. Material on the components of the periodontium and each fiber group associated with the periodontal ligament and the gingival tissue will be covered. The student will learn the study of the structure and form of teeth. The course will cover the location, eruption schedule and function of each tooth in the primary and permanent dentition. Students will learn how to record conditions in the patient’s oral cavity on a dental chart using symbols, numbers, and colors is a shorthand technique. Accurate charting is stressed as part of the patient’s legal record that is maintained in the office. This course covers both manual and computer charting.

This course describes the components of a dental office and explains the equipment found in each section as well as its function. The students learn about different types of dental practices and how the dentist’s personality and professional goals affect the office setting. Concepts of chairside assisting are explained, including how to prepare the office for patients and how to seat and discharge dental patients. Ergonomic positioning for the assistant and the operator are discussed. This course includes information for the dental assistant to work with patients that have special needs. The students will learn how to transfer instruments to the dentist while chairside assisting and how to maintain the operating field. This includes the use of the dental light, the air/water syringe, the high volume evacuation, saliva ejector and mouth props.

Hands-on learning includes identifying instruments, rotary instruments and hand-pieces used in diagnostic and operative dental procedures. This also includes handling, sterilization and storage techniques. Hands-on training on manikins and student partners will allow the student the opportunity to master chairside functions.

This course covers how to prepare and care for the patient during dental procedures. The Dental Assisting student will learn the proper way to review medical, dental and health history with the patients. The students will learn the proper way to take and record vital signs, which include: body temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure. The student will also be introduced to the methods used to manage pain and anxiety related to dental procedures. General, local, topical anesthesia and general sedation/premedication are discussed. Detailed information is discussed on topical and local anesthetic and assistance with the administration of nitrous oxide. The section on oral pathology will review pathological conditions that may interfere with planned dental treatment and the overall health of the patient. The student will gain information on how the body responds to disease and injury through inflammation.

Chairside procedures are practices which include the dental dam, matrix and wedge, placing cavity liners, cavity varnish and cement bases. Hands-on training on manikins and student partners will allow the student the opportunity to master chairside functions.

This course discusses dental materials used in dental restorative procedures. The students will learn the standards and organizations that regulate dental materials. Properties of dental materials are discussed and applied to restorative materials. This course covers materials used to restore teeth such as dental amalgam and composite. It also identifies dental cements, bases and liners, cavity varnish and bonding agents. To enhance the students learning the steps in cavity preparation are explained. Student knowledge and skills are developed with hands-on learning, by mixing the materials and understanding what is necessary to prepare, place and cleanup dental restorative materials.

This course also reviews the many materials utilized in the dental laboratory and during the procedures of removable and fixed prosthodontics. Students will learn how to handle reversible and irreversible hydrocolloid materials, take impressions, bite registrations and pour dental models. The students will learn the skill of trimming the dental study models. The dental assistant student will gain knowledge and skills in all phases of removable and fixed prosthodontics treatment, including dentures, and partials, as well as cosmetic/esthetic dentistry, dental implant retainers, and core build-ups. Hands-on learning of instruments and tray setups assists the student’s learning of this specialty. Students will learn how to handle final impression materials, fabricate temporary crowns, take bite registrations, pack retraction cord, make bleaching trays, and review gingival retraction procedures. The scope of Prosthodontics is discussed to include patient considerations and case presentations.

This course discusses the importance of caring for the oral cavity properly. The student will learn the skills necessary to brush and floss teeth, maintain healthy teeth and gums, and motivate patients in the proper methods of maintaining optimal oral health. The course covers the many oral hygiene aids and their uses, the types of toothbrushes and their techniques, types of floss, along with the oral hygiene skills for patients with special needs. The history of fluoride and its use in dentistry are covered. Adequate nutrition and the importance of choosing the right foods for optimum dental health are also a component of this course.

This course also discusses the scope of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Dentistry as well as the role of each team member. Through the study of common behavior characteristics of children, students will gain the knowledge and skill to understand and manage children of various ages, handle common surgery and emergencies, and work with the parents or guardian of the patient. Hands-on training on manikins and student partners of common procedures and equipment in pediatric dentistry are covered including how to perform a coronal polish and how to place sealants. The student will learn the scope of Orthodontics and the procedures and instruments used in Orthodontic Dentistry. Basic Endodontic procedures, such as root canal treatment, pulpotomy and pulpectomy, and surgical Endodontics are clearly defined and demonstrated. Students will master the procedure tray set-ups and the sequence of the procedure, and gain an understanding of pulpal and periapical diseases. This course will also cover the knowledge and skills relating to procedures commonly performed by the Periodontist.

This course discusses the various ways a dental radiograph can be taken. The dental assisting student will learn how to expose quality radiographs on a patient simulator manikin. Both the bisecting and the paralleling techniques for exposing intraoral films will be discussed. This course demonstrates extra oral x-ray techniques, equipment, film, and production. The student will learn normal and abnormal radiographic landmarks and common x-ray production errors. The knowledge and skills to produce special radiographs, such as, occlusal, pediatric, edentulous surveys, Endodontic radiographs and radiographs on special need patients will be covered. Hands-on training on a patient simulator manikin (Typodont) will allow the student the opportunity to master the safety measures, infection control techniques, the exposure, the processing, mounting, and storage of patient x-rays. Knowledge and skills necessary to ensure quality radiographs are integrated into this course.

The goal of the clinical externship is to foster the student’s personal and professional development as a Dental Assistant. The externship offers the student the unique opportunity to work on a variety of patients with varying conditions under the immediate supervision of a licensed dentist. Throughout the clinical experience the student will build confidence and master their skills as an entry-level dental assistant.

The goal of the clinical externship is to foster the student’s personal and professional development as a Dental Assistant. The externship offers the student the unique opportunity to work on a variety of patients with varying conditions under the immediate supervision of a licensed dentist. Throughout the clinical experience the student will build confidence and master their skills as an entry-level dental assistant in specialty offices, such as, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral Surgery and Pediatric Dentistry.