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This nationally recognized Clinical Dental Assisting online course prepares the student to become a productive member of a dental team as a Certified Dental Assistant. This program features in-depth information on every aspect of professional Dental Assisting, including invaluable “real-world” perspectives from experienced Certified Dental Assistants. Students learn essential information about anatomy and physiology, preventive dentistry, patient care and communication, radiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, assisting in specialty practices, employment strategies, and much more. Upon completion of the program, the student will be prepared to successfully complete the radiology and infection control portions of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). All materials are included. This online program is only offered in partnership with major accredited colleges and universities.

The Clinical Dental Assisting online program prepares the student to enter the dental profession as a dental assistant. The program includes information in areas that the student will need to pass the Dental Assisting National Board. This program is an overview of the dental profession, dental health and disease, anatomy and physiology, infection control, basic dental assisting, radiology, dental materials, dental assisting in the specialty practice, and dental office management. Upon completion of the program, the student can pursue certification as a dental assistant by passing the radiology and infection control portions of the Dental Assisting National Board examination. These exams are also necessary in states where registration is required for dental assistants. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts massive growth in the Dental Assisting profession over the next decade. Employment is expected to grow by 29% over this time - a much higher rate than most careers - and job prospects should be excellent.

Students in the Clinical Dental Assisting program will learn about oral health and nutrition, patient care and communication, treatment of dental disease, basics of chairside assisting, infection control, producing and processing radiographs, dental materials , assisting in specialty practices, and much more. Student knowledge is tested through nine graded module exams and a final examination. Textbooks are included. Upon registering, you are given an initial six months to complete the program. Should you need more time, you may request a six-month extension at no additional charge.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Describe the roles, skills and education of the dentist, hygienist, dental assistant, administrative assistant and dental laboratory technician.
• Describe the progression of dental disease and preventive techniques.
• Identify the deciduous and permanent teeth and their functions, as well as, anatomical landmarks of the head and neck.
• Identify the chain of infection, routes of transmission and techniques used in sterilization and disinfection.
• Complete patient charting, take vital signs, and describe steps for emergency management.
• Set up trays for dental procedures and understand instrument transfer techniques.
• Expose and process quality radiographs.
• Identify dental materials and describe their uses.
• Describe the role of a dental assistant in each of the 9 dental specialties.
• Identify the roles of the administrative staff and their effect on the practice.
  

I. Module 1: Overview of the Dental Profession
a. Introduction to the Practice of Dentistry
b. The Dental Patient
c. Dental Practice
d. Employment Strategies

II. Module 2: Dental Health and Disease
a. Oral Health and Preventative Techniques
b. Nutrition
c. Etiology of Dental Disease

III. Module 3: Anatomy and Physiology
a. Basic Human Physiology
b. Head and Neck Anatomy
c. Embryology and Histology
d. Tooth Morphology

IV. Module 4: Infection Control
a. Microbiology
b. Infection Control
c. Management of Hazardous Materials

V. Module 5: Basics of Dental Assisting
a. Patient Care
b. Dental Charting
c. Pharmacology
d. Emergency Management
e. Chair-side Assisting
f. Dental Instruments and Tray Setups
g. Instrument Transfer and Maintaining the Operating Field
h. Anesthesia and Sedation

VI. Module 6: Radiology
a. Producing Quality Radiographs
b. Processing Quality Radiographs
c. Extraoral and Digital Radiography

VII. Module 7: Dental Materials
a. Dental Cements, Bases, Liners, and Bonding Agents
b. Restorative Materials, Dental Dams, Matrix, and Wedges
c. Laboratory Materials and Techniques

VIII. Module 8: Dental Assisting in the Specialty Practice
a. Endodontics
b. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
c. Oral Pathology
d. Orthodontics
e. Pediatric Dentistry
f. Periodontics
g. Prosthodontics
h. Oral Radiology
i. Public Health
j. Cosmetic Dentistry

IX. Module 9: Dental Office Management