31-508-306Dental Assistant Clinical
Course Information
Description
Students apply skills developed in Dental and General Anatomy, Dental Health Safety, Dental Chairside, Dental Materials, Dental Radiography, and Professionalism in a clinical setting with patients. Emphasizes integration of core abilities and basic occupational skills.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Collect diagnostic and treatment data
    Assessment Strategies
    by working with patients onsite in a dental office/clinic
    by performing data collection tasks in accordance with criteria for related competencies published in preceding Dental Assistant courses.
    by meeting performance expectations of supervising dentist and dental professionals
    by making an entry in your Clinical Experience Log each time you perform these tasks
    in a written, graphic, or oral reflection on what you have learned in the clinical experience
    Criteria
    collect patients' medical/dental histories
    have obtained patient informed consent from multiple patients
    have taken patients' vital signs of multiple patients
    chart oral cavity structures and missing teeth for multiple patients
    chart dental pathology for multiple patients
    chart restorations for multiple patients
    record treatment documentation for multiple patients
    log entries note data collection tasks performed, date, time, (and your comments if desired)
    reflection presents a realistic picture of your skill prior to the learning experience
    reflection accurately describes your new skill level
    reflection compares your clinical experience with your classroom experience
    reflection includes strategies for continued improvement
    reflection presents insight about your learning experience
    reflection exhibits correct use of dental/medical terminology, grammar, spelling, and punctuation

  2. Manage infection and hazard control
    Assessment Strategies
    by working with patients onsite in a dental office/clinic
    by performing infection management and hazard control tasks in accordance with criteria for related competencies published in preceding Dental Assistant courses.
    by meeting performance expectations of supervising dentist and dental professionals
    by making an entry in your Clinical Experience Log each time you perform these tasks
    in a written, graphic, or oral reflection on what you have learned in the clinical experience
    Criteria
    employ personal and patient protection to prevent disease transmission
    reprocess instruments
    reprocess treatment room
    manage wastes safely
    adhere to OSHA Hazardous Communication Standard
    maintain infection control records
    log entries note infection and hazard control tasks performed, date, time, (and your comments if desired)
    reflection presents a realistic picture of your skill prior to the learning experience
    reflection accurately describes your new skill level
    reflection compares your clinical experience with your classroom experience
    reflection includes strategies for continued improvement
    reflection presents insight about your learning experience

  3. Perform clinical supportive treatments
    Assessment Strategies
    by working with patients onsite in a dental office/clinic
    by performing clinical supportive treatment tasks in accordance with criteria for related competencies published in preceding Dental Assistant courses.
    by meeting performance expectations of supervising dentist and dental professionals
    by making an entry in your Clinical Experience Log each time you perform these tasks
    in a written, graphic, or oral reflection on what you have learned in the clinical experience
    Criteria
    transition patient through a dental procedure
    assist with dental examinations
    perform four-handed dentistry to assist at chairside
    operate dental equipment
    transfer dental instructions for various dental procedures
    maintain a clear operating field
    maintain dental instruments
    assemble dental instruments
    assist with chairside pain control
    apply topical anesthetic
    assist with a direct cosmetic restoration
    assist with an amalgam restoration
    log entries note supportive treatments performed, date, time, (and your comments if desired)
    reflection presents a realistic picture of your skill prior to the learning experience
    reflection accurately describes your new skill level
    reflection compares your clinical experience with your classroom experience
    reflection includes strategies for continued improvement
    reflection presents insight about your learning experience

  4. Take diagnostic images (short term programs)
    Assessment Strategies
    by working with patients onsite in a dental office/clinic
    by taking diagnostic images in accordance with criteria for related competencies published in preceding Dental Assistant courses
    by meeting performance expectations of supervising dentist and dental professionals
    by making an entry in your Clinical Experience Log each time you perform these tasks
    in a written, graphic, or oral reflection on what you have learned in the clinical experience
    Criteria
    practice principles of radiation safety
    use proper infection control
    manage patients during image acquisition
    produce radiographic images
    mount radiographic images
    evaluate radiographic images for diagnostic value
    interpret radiographic findings
    expose bitewing radiographic images
    expose periapicals using paralleling technique
    expose periapical using bisecting angle technique
    produce extra-oral radiograph
    log entries note radiographs exposed, produced, evaluated, and interpreted, along with date and time, (and your comments if desired)
    reflection presents a realistic picture of your skill prior to the learning experience
    reflection accurately describes your new skill level
    reflection compares your clinical experience with your classroom experience
    reflection includes strategies for continued improvement
    reflection presents insight about your learning experience

  5. Perform dental laboratory procedures
    Assessment Strategies
    by working with patients onsite in a dental office/clinic
    by performing dental laboratory tasks in accordance with criteria for related competencies published in preceding Dental Assistant courses.
    by meeting performance expectations of supervising dentist and dental professionals
    by making an entry in your Clinical Experience Log each time you perform these tasks
    in a written, graphic, or oral reflection on what you have learned in the clinical experience
    Criteria
    prepare liners, bases, and cements
    prepare amalgam for a direct restoration
    prepare direct aesthetic restorative materials
    mix impression materials
    clean removable appliances
    log entries note laboratory procedures performed, date, time, (and your comments if desired)
    reflection presents a realistic picture of your skill prior to the learning experience
    reflection accurately describes your new skill level
    reflection compares your clinical experience with your classroom experience
    reflection includes strategies for continued improvement
    reflection presents insight about your learning experience

  6. Provide patient oral health instruction
    Assessment Strategies
    by working with patients onsite in a dental office/clinic
    by providing patient oral health instruction in accordance with criteria for related competencies published in preceding Dental Assistant courses.
    by meeting performance expectations of supervising dentist and dental professionals
    by making an entry in your Clinical Experience Log each time you perform these tasks
    in a written, graphic, or oral reflection on what you have learned in the clinical experience
    Criteria
    counsel patients about nutrition and its relationship to oral health
    explain to patients the relationship of dental health to total health
    demonstrate proper tooth brushing for a patient
    explain the importance of preventive dentistry to a patient
    log entries note patient oral health instruction performed, date, time, (and your comments if desired)
    reflection presents a realistic picture of your skill prior to the learning experience
    reflection accurately describes your new skill level
    reflection compares your clinical experience with your classroom experience
    reflection includes strategies for continued improvement
    reflection presents insight about your learning experience

  7. Assist in managing medical emergencies
    Assessment Strategies
    by working with patients onsite in a dental office/clinic
    by assisting in the management of medical emergencies as they may arise in accordance with criteria for related competencies published in preceding Dental Assistant courses, or by discussing with a mentor how medical emergencies are handled at your clinical site.
    by meeting performance expectations of supervising dentist and dental professionals
    by making an entry in your Clinical Experience Log each time you perform these tasks
    in a written, graphic, or oral reflection on what you have learned in the clinical experience
    Criteria
    alert dental office staff to signs of medical emergencies if they arise
    assist in handling dental office medical emergencies if they arise
    assist in handling dental office chemical emergencies if they arise
    assist in handling dental office infectious emergencies if they arise
    assist in maintaining emergency equipment and supplies
    make dental office staff members aware of potential contraindications for prescribed medication if they are present
    perform CPR or assist someone who is performing CPR if the need arises
    log entries note any medical emergency tasks performed, date, time, (and your comments if desired)
    reflection presents a realistic picture of your skill prior to the learning experience
    reflection accurately describes your new skill level
    reflection compares your clinical experience with your classroom experience
    reflection includes strategies for continued improvement
    reflection presents insight about your learning experience

  8. Model professional behaviors, ethics, and appearance
    Assessment Strategies
    by working with patients onsite in a dental office/clinic
    by exhibiting professional behaviors, ethics, and appearance in accordance with criteria for related competencies published in preceding Dental Assistant courses.
    by meeting performance expectations of supervising dentist and dental professionals
    in a written, graphic, or oral reflection on what you have learned in the clinical experience
    Criteria
    exhibit a professional appearance complying with the dress code of the program
    adhere to the attendance policy set by the dental office
    decline to perform any tasks that are not legally permitted to be delegated to a student dental assistant
    maintain professional confidentiality
    reflection presents a realistic picture of your skill prior to the learning experience
    reflection accurately describes your new skill level
    reflection compares your clinical experience with your classroom experience
    reflection includes strategies for continued improvement
    reflection presents insight about your learning experience

  9. Integrate the core abilities designated by your college into your performance in a professional setting
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing a self-evaluation and/or having your instructor, a peer, and/or your supervisor complete a core ability evaluation
    by completing a written reflection on the results of the core ability evaluations
    Criteria
    core ability evaluations show that you have made progress toward, met, or exceeded each core ability
    reflection provides a description your core ability strengths and gives one or more examples to back them up
    reflection set goals and identifies strategies for continually improving your core abilities