Dental Assistant Course Outline

To receive a diploma in Dental Assistant you must complete all core subjects and elective subjects with an average grade of "C" or better. For your convenience each module outline is listed below. This outline lists which module is needed to complete the course for graduation. In addition the outline describes each module, duration, credit units & skill sets needed for career success!

Dental Assistant Core Subjects

1.

Module #:

MAA - 101

Module Name:

Medical Assisting Professional, Behavior, Interpersonal Skill, Ethics, Medicine and Law

Duration:

40 hrs. (5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

Students are exposed to Introduction to Medical, Health Industry, Medical Assisting Profession, Professional Behavior in the Workplace, Interpersonal Skills and Human Behavior, Medicine and Ethics, Medicine and Law

2.

Module #:

MAA - 102

Module Name:

Computer, Peripheral Devices and Network in Medical Office: Server, Client, Internet: Browser, Security

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

Student learns Introduction to Computer Usage in Medical Office, Computer Basic, Working With OS, Computer in Network, Server and Client OS, Internet and Browser, Computer as a Co-worker, Security and Electronic Signatures

3.

Module #:

MAA - 103

Module Name:

Telephone Technique, Scheduling, Patient Reception, Written Communication, Medical Record Management

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

This class covers Telephone Techniques, Office Telephone Equipment, Intro to Appointment, Patient Reception and Processing, Written Communications, Mail Processing, Medical Records, Patient and Records

4.

Module #:

MAA - 104

Module Name:

Billing and Collection, Insurance Claim Form, Reimbursement, and Banking

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

This class teaches Introduction Billing and Collecting, The Health Insurance, Claims Forms, Third Party Reimbursement, Utilization Management, Banking Services, Bill Paying

5.

Module #:

MAA - 105

Module Name:

Basics of Diagnostics and Procedural Coding

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

This class emphasizes Getting to Know ICD-9-CM, Format of ICD and Conventions, Steps in ICD Coding, Modifiers, Understanding Evaluation and Management, ICD Coding Definitions, Introduction to Basics of Procedural Coding, Format of CPT, Steps in CPT Coding, Modifiers, Understanding Evaluation and Management, CPT Coding Definitions

6.

Module #:

MAA - 106

Module Name:

Medical Practices and Health Information Management, Marketing Promotion and Finance

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

This class stresses on Introduction and Teams, Orientation and Training, Marketing and Customer Service, Introduction to Health Management, Introduction to Management of Practice Finances, Account Fundamental, Practices

7.

Module #:

MAD - 101

Module Name:

Orientation, Professional and Legal Aspects of Dental Assisting

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

This class introduces students to history of dentistry, the evolution of the dental health professional recognized as the dental assistant. Student will learn the roles and responsibilities of each member of the dental health team and how to interact with patients.

8.

Module #:

MAD - 102

Module Name:

Dental Anatomy and Physiology

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

This class teaches the study of anatomy and physiology, which are essential for all healthcare professionals. This will also help student to keep own body healthy, communicate with medical personnel, and understand treatments or medication. It also introduces basic terms and definition for effective communication. It also discusses the basic concepts and step-by-step procedures to prevent the transmission of disease, and to safely manage hazardous materials in the dental office.

9.

Module #:

MAD - 103

Module Name:

Infection Control and Management of Hazardous Materials

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

This class teaches student during patient treatment, the equipment and treatment room surfaces may become contaminated with saliva, or by aerosol containing blood and/or saliva.

10.

Module #:

MAD - 104

Module Name:

Dental Treatment - Clinical Dentistry and Moisture Control

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

This class emphasizes smooth and efficient team interaction between the dentist and clinical dental assistant determines how well a dental practice will succeed. Main goals of this class is Increase patient comfort, Provide quality dental care, Reduce the time needed for dental treatment, Minimize the stress and fatigue of the clinical team.

11.

Module #:

MAD - 105

Module Name:

Patient Care - Examination, Emergencies, Pain and Anxiety Control

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

This class emphasizes verbal & non-verbal communication with patients. Student learns how to interact and communicate effectively by exploring the fundamentals of interpersonal relations. Proper telephone communication is taught. Sending and receiving office communication is taught. This class stresses on proper positioning and draping patients for various examination. Preparing patients for various procedures done in clinical settings. Assisting doctor with special examinations.

12.

Module #:

MAD - 106

Module Name:

Dental Radiography - Safety and Production of X-Ray, and Film Processing

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

This class stresses on dental radiographs, commonly known as x-rays, are part of the patient's permanent dental record and valuable diagnostic tools for the dentist. The benefits of using x-rays in dentistry also discusses radiation hazards, production of x-rays, and the methods used to protect the patient and operator from the harmful effects of exposure to radiation.

13.

Module #:

MAD - 107

Module Name:

Preventive Dentistry - Care, Coronal Polishing and Sealant

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

This class stresses the importance of preventive dentistry is to achieve and maintain optimum oral health for a lifetime. Student will discuss the components of a comprehensive preventive dentistry program.

14.

Module #:

MAD - 108

Module Name:

Restorative Dentistry - Instrument, Headpieces, Burs, Impression Material and Laboratory Procedures

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

This class introduces the common restorative procedure in which student will assist in a general dental office. The areas to be covered are amalgam restorations, composite resin restorations, resin veneers, and vital bleaching of teeth.

15.

Module #:

MAD - 109

Module Name:

Specialized Dentistry - Periodontics, Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

This class gives training of Periodontics, Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. It explains periodontal disease, types of periodontal diseases, periodontal examination, purpose of scaling and root planning, endodontic treatment. Diagnostic test and instruments use in endodontic treatment.

16.

Module #:

MAD - 110

Module Name:

Pediatric, Orthodontics and Preparation for Employment

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

This class familiarizes students with treatment of children from infancy through adolescence and services provided for pediatric patient. It also provided knowledge of responsibilities of orthodontic practice including diagnosis, presentation, interception, and treatment of all forms of malocclusion of the teeth and surrounding structures. Also providing training for employment.

17.

Module #:

MGE - 101

Module Name:

Medical Terminology

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

This course will introduce the student to the most common medical terms used in this industry. The educational objective is to train the student to understand and being capable to converse with various dental professions and the team of dental professionals. The student will be able to read and understand basic dental literature by analyzing the Latin and Greek roots of the most common dental terms utilized in this industry. Including the day-to-day dental vocabulary in a dental office.

18.

Module #:

EXT - 101 & EXT - 102

Module Name:

Externship - Par I & II

Duration:

40 hrs.(5 Weeks)

Credit Unit:

3 Units

Skill Sets:

Practical knowledge and procedures of a dental office, with real life problems and patients under the supervision of dental professionals the student will obtain hands on experienced on the areas of front office duties, appointment setting, dental records, dental insurance and computer application for a dental office.