Dental Administrative Assistant

Course Notes

Students are supplied with textbooks and workbook for ongoing reference and homework. The courseware contains practice quizzes to prepare students for a final exam. Students must achieve a mark of 75% to successfully complete the course.

Course Breakdown

Level 1

Oral Embryology and Histology: Embryonic development of the face and oral cavity, developmental disturbances, facial development after birth, and the life cycle and anatomy of a tooth

Head and Neck Anatomy: The anatomy of the head, the bones of the face, temporomandibular joints, muscles of the head and neck, salivary glands, blood supply to the head and neck, nerves and lymph nodes of the head and neck, and paranasal sinuses

Landmarks of the Face and Oral Cavity: Landmarks of the face, the oral cavity, and the oral cavity proper

Overview of Dentitions: Overview of the dentitions, dental arches, types and functions of teeth, tooth surfaces, anatomic features of teeth, angles and divisions of teeth, occlusion and malocclusion, and tooth numbering

Tooth Morphology: Anterior and posterior permanent dentition, primary dentition, and wisdom teeth

Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease: Dental caries, the caries process and diagnosis, types, signs, and symptoms of periodontal disease

Preventive Dentistry: Preventative dentistry, early dental care, fluoride, nutrition and dental caries, and plaque control

Nutrition: Foods that cause tooth decay, minerals and water, diet modification, and eating disorders and management

Oral Pathology: Diseases of the oral soft tissues, conditions of the tongue, oral cancer, HIV and AIDS, and developmental disorders Disease Transmission and Infection Prevention: The chain of infection, infection control practices, cleaning the office and treatment room, pre-cleaning and packaging instruments, and the autoclave and other methods of sterilization

Oral Diagnosis and Treatment Planning: Examination and treatment planning
Special Patients and Dental Emergencies: The special needs patient, the medically compromised patient, principles of pharmacology as it relates to dental, and medical/dental emergencies

Level 2

Dental Instruments and Accessories: Dental hand instruments, handpieces and accessories, oral evacuation, and rinsing the oral cavity

Anesthesia and Pain Control: Topical anesthesia, local anesthesia, inhalation sedation, and general anesthesia

Radiographic Imaging: Uses of dental images, the dental x-ray machine, and radiation safety

Intraoral Imaging and Extraoral Imaging: Full mouth survey, bitewing technique, occlusial technique, and panoramic imaging

General Dentistry: Cavity preparation, permanent restorations, veneers, and tooth whitening

Fixed Prosthodontics: Fixed prosthodontics, crowns, and fixed bridge

Removable Prosthodontics and Dental Implants: Removable prosthodontics, removable partial denture, full (complete) denture, and dental implants

Endodontics: Endodontics (root canal), instruments and accessories, and an overview of root canal therapy

Periodontics: Periodontics, periodontical instruments, and nonsurgical and surgical periodontal treatment

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Indications for surgery, specialized instruments, surgical asepsis and preparation, and sutures

Pediatric Dentistry and Coronal Polishing: Pediatric dentistry, diagnosis and treatment planning, preventative dentistry, and polishing

Orthodontics: Orthodontics, malocclusion, orthodontic problems, records and treatment planning, specialized instruments and accessories, and orthodontic treatment

Level 3

Understanding Human Behavior and Cultural Diversity: Understanding human behaviour, and cultural diversity

Communication Pathways: Communication pathways, communicating with colleagues, and communicating with patients

Patient Needs and Telephone Skills: Patient needs, and telephone skills and communication

Written Communication: Written communications, composing a business letter, and marketing your dental practice
Dental Office Procedures, Computer Applications in Dentistry: Operating procedure manual, and utilizing computer software applications in the dental office

Record Keeping, Filing and Scheduling: Record keeping, guidelines to efficient filing, and appointment scheduling

Recall Programs and Inventory: Preventive recall programs, and inventory management

General Accounting: Accounting, and preventive account management

Accounts Receivable and Payable: Accounts receivable and collections, and accounts payable management

Payroll and Insurance: Payroll, and dental insurance

Employment and Your Professional Career: Locating employment opportunities, seeking employment, employment agreement, and job termination