10 Classes held on Monday or Wednesdays weekly from 6pm-9pm with a small 15-30 min break to include Lecture/Lab 

30 hours Classroom/Lab training

Externship–2 days/week in assigned dental practice for 4 weeks = 64 Extern hours

Total Hours completed for Graduation: 94 hours

A Course Time Hour is at least 50 minutes of instruction during a 60-minute period.

Monday #1

Class #1A Subject Hours: 3 Hours Total (1 hrs Lecture/2 hrs Lab)

Introduction to 10 Week Program

Overview of Classes, Labs, & Externship

Review of Exams given and passing grades

Role of the Dental Assistant in the Dental Office

Discuss Required Certificates (RDA & CPR) or optional certificates N20 Monitoring, Sealants, Coronal Polishing) 

Orientation to the physical set up & equipment in the Dental Office

Class #1B

General Dental Terminology, Patient Charts & the Role of the Dental Assistant

General Dental Terminology 

Dental Anatomy & Tooth Surfaces 

Introduction to Records Management – Forms and Documentation

Assistant’s Role in the Collection & Recording of Clinical Data & Patient Communication

Prepare Student to assist in the preliminary exam of a patient

Chart dental conditions, Take & prepare diagnostic aids

Take & record patient Vital Signs & Document treatment

Comprehend & Explain to Patient oral health information

Instruct Patient Pre-& Post-Treatment

Wednesday #2

Class #2 Subject Hours: 3 Hours Total (1 hrs Lecture/2 hrs Lab)

R.D.A. (Radiology Certificate) Prep Class with State Board Exam

Fundamentals of Dental Radiography & Principles of Radiation Biology

X-ray image Production Principles & Intra/Extraoral Radiographic Procedures

Principles of film placement and beam alignment 

Radiographic chemistry and processing techniques for film, Identify & Correct errors

Protection requirements for patients and operators

Digital Imaging

HIPAA regulations and requirements & Infection Control Rules of the TSBDE

Sterilization vs. Disinfection

Personal protection and surface barriers/Instrument Processing & Aseptic Techniques

TSBDE Jurisprudence Rules & Regulations for Dental Assistants 

Professional Conduct & Minimum Standard of Care

Monday #3 

Morning Class #3A Subject Hours: 3 Hours Total (1 hrs Lecture/2 hrs Lab)

Radiology – Hands On

Appropriate Radiographic Techniques & Equipment/Instrumentation to be used

Appropriate Infection Control Techniques & Barriers to minimize cross-contamination

Patient management techniques before, during, & after radiographic exposures

Expose dental films/imaging devices using various techniques

Evaluate radiographs for Diagnostic Value & how to then Mount Properly

Identify Anatomic Structures, Dental Materials & Patient Information on radiographs

Apply Principles of Radiation Protection & Practice Safety Measures for Patient & Operator

Discuss Proper Storage & Disposal of Chemical Agents used for film processing

Implement Quality Assurance Procedures 

Class #3B

Infection Control – Hands On

Give the Student the Opportunity to Demonstrate the following:

Collect & Record Data while Preventing Cross-Contamination & Disease Transmission

Proper Use of Personal Protective Equipment & Surface Barriers Chairside, Lab & Sterilization

Select & Perform Disinfection & Sterilization Methods – Instrument Processing

Maintain Aseptic Conditions

Incorporate All Safety Measures & OSHA Standards & Guidelines

Wednesday #4

Class #4A: Subject Hours: 3 Hours Total (1 hrs Lecture/2 hrs Lab)

Course Topics and Objectives:

History of N20 Sedation

Texas Jurisprudence-Legal Provisions

Equipment & Safety Issues

Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology

Stages of Anesthesia and Sedation

Patient Monitoring and Case Studies

Complications and Prevention Management

Staff Safety

Class 4B

Sealants & Coronal Polishing 

Placing sealants

Basics of coronal polishing

Monday #5

#5A Subject Hours: 3 Hours Total (1 hrs Lecture/2 hrs Lab)

Chairside Dental Materials

Teach Students to Prepare, Mix, Deliver & Store

Impression Materials

Restorative Materials

Sedative/Palliative Materials

Any Other Materials used in a dental procedure

Afternoon Class #5B

Chairside Dental Procedures

4 Handed Dentistry Techniques & Moisture Control 

Selection & Preparation of the Armamentarium for Procedure

Perform or Assist with Intraoral Procedures

Management of Patient before, during & after Dental Procedure

Wednesday #6

Class #6A Subject Hours: 3 Hours Total (1 hrs Lecture/2 hrs Lab)

Lab Material & Procedures

Prepare Student to:

Select & Manipulate Lab Materials

Perform Lab Procedures

Class #6B

Prevention & Management of Emergencies

Prepare Student to:

Implement Techniques for Prevention of Medical Emergencies

Review Medical/Dental History

Demonstrate Preventive Measures to Avoid Drug-Induced Emergencies

Recognize Signs & Symptoms related to specific Medical Conditions & Emergencies

Respond & Assist with Management of Chairside Emergencies

Monday #7

Class #7A Subject Hours: 3 Hours Total (1 hrs Lecture/2 hrs Lab)

Office Operations

Instruct Student on the following:

Maintain & Control Supplies in the areas of Equipment, Instruments & Materials

Patient Reception

Communication with Patients, the Dentist, and other Team Members

Accounts Receivable and the Importance of Properly entering Treatment Performed

Class #7B

People & Dentistry, Employment Skills & Job Interview Techniques

Students learn how to deal with people in the Dental Office. Includes understanding patient attitudes, reassuring the patient, personal appearance, dress codes, personal attitudes, and Dental Office “do's and don't's”. Job interview techniques are presented including describing the type of job the Dental Assistant is seeking and what they offer the employer, locating employment opportunities, constructing a resume, interviewing skills, answering interview questions, and salary negotiation. Students practice a mock job interview from the telephone response to a one-on-one interview. 

Wednesday #8

Class #8A Subject Hours: 3 Hours Total (1 hrs Lecture/2 hrs Lab)

Lab Role Play

Students role-play by rotating through each position in the Dental Office, performing the procedures taught while acting as the Dentist, Dental Assistant, and Patient. 

Class #8B

Functions of a Dental Assistant/Lab

Taking Impressions, pouring up models, x-ray techniques, treatment planning. Hands-on practice. 

Monday #9

Class #9A Subject Hours: 3 Hours Total (1 hrs Lecture/2 hrs Lab)

Specialties, Insurance & Prescriptions

Review of General Daily Duties in the Dental Office such as a Daily Huddle, Team Goals, etc.

Class #9B

Review of Final Exam

Question & Answer Period

Final Preparation for Exam

Wednesday #10

Subject Hours: 3 Hours Total (1 hrs Lecture/2 hrs Lab)

Class 10

Final Exam, Group Lunch, Graduation Ceremony

Upon Passing Final Exam, a Dental Assisting School Certificate of Completion will be awarded. 

Externship – 64 hours

EXT64

8 days-8 hours per day- “Hands-On” Experience in Assigned Dental Office

In-office participation in the role of Dental Assistant with Hands-on training in x-ray procedures, infection control and patient care10 Classes held on Monday or Wednesdays weekly from 6pm-9pm with a small 15-30 min break to include Lecture/Lab 

Assigned to a specific Dental Office for 2 days per week for 4 weeks

Evaluation of externs with verbal critique by the Dental Office supervisor will occur each day

Written evaluation will be accomplished at the midpoint and end of the Externship. Ratings on the written evaluations will be averaged for the final report. Evaluation forms are included.

The Externship coordinator will visit the Externship sites at least once prior to start of program and be available to discuss any issues with Dental Office supervisor by phone as needed

Externs are required to attend a meeting on the last day of their Externship at which time they will discuss their observations/experiences and will turn in their final Externship report

Although not required, students are encouraged to keep a daily journal of their Externship experiences and observations

Students are required to write a final report that will be turned in on the day of their Externship meeting

Copies of Externship agreements between the school and Externship sites are included in the course syllabus

Grading Policy

A student’s final numeric grade will be compiled from the grades earned by the student for work assigned. All hands-on lab work is a Pass/Fail per class which will be factored into the final score along with written evaluation of Externship experience. 

Satisfactory Progress

Class work is graded as follow: