Welcome to your Dental Assistant course. You are on your way to your new career!

Lecture #1 – Introduction to the Profession – Students are introduced to the profession of Dentistry and the responsibilities of the dental health team which includes the dentist, hygienist, the front office personnel and the back-office personnel. (Prerequisite: None)

Lecture #2 – Ethical and Legal Issues – Students will learn the ethics governing dentistry and the various governmental agencies entrusted with the regulation of the dental profession to ensure and protect the public from incompetent and unethical practices. Topics include licensure procedures and credentialing. (Prerequisite: None)

Lecture #3 – Infection Control for the Dental Assistant – Students will learn the principles of properly preparing themselves and others to prevent infection control and the spread of diseases in the dental office. Topics include; government regulating agencies, infection control guidelines, proper PPE and how to safely dispose of and transport various waste. (Prerequisite: None)

Topics Covered:

Lecture #1 – Introduction to the Profession of Dentistry
Lecture #2 – Ethical and Legal Issues in Dentistry
Lecture #3 – Infection control for the Dental Assistant

Lecture #4 – Dental Radiography – Students will learn the basic principles of X-Ray. The operating principle of the X-Ray Machine is also discussed. Topics also include types of film exposures and film processing errors. (Prerequisite: None)

Lecture #4 Continued – Radiography In Depth Overview – The students will have an in depth review of subjects likely to be encountered on the state specific radiographic written examination. A good grasp of this subject will greatly enhance the student’s likelihood of passing the written examination. (Prerequisite: Dental Radiography)

Lecture #5 – Human Dentition – Students will learn the form and structures of the human natural teeth in the dental arch. Topics also include the method of identifying teeth by using the Universal Numbering System for permanent and primary teeth. (Prerequisite: None)

Topics Covered:

Lecture #4 – Dental Radiography
Lecture #5 – Human Dentition

Topics Covered: Dental Chair and Personal Protection Equipment

Topics Covered: Infection Control and Dental Instruments

Topics Covered: Dental Instrument Transfer

Lecture #6 – Composition of Teeth and Tissues Surrounding the Teeth – Students will learn the different parts of the teeth and the tissues supporting them. Topics include cervix, apex, dental pulp, tissues of the teeth such as enamel, dentin, cementum as well as alveolar process, the periodontal ligament and the gingiva. Also includes discussion of anatomical landmarks of the tooth and dental terminology. (Prerequisite: Lecture #5)

Lecture #7 – Oral Pathology – Student will learn the nature of diseases that affect oral structures and regions nearby. Topics include discussion on how to distinguish normal from abnormal conditions in the oral cavity. (Prerequisite: None)

Lecture #8 – Oral Cavity and Salivary Glands – Students will learn the cavity of the mouth and the salivary glands which are located outside the oral cavity. Topics include discussion of oral lesions that can be found in the oral cavity. (Prerequisite: None)

Topics Covered:

Lecture #6 – The Composition of the Tissues Surrounding the Teeth
Lecture #7 – Oral Pathology
Lecture #8 – The Oral cavity and Salivary Glands

Topics Covered: Radiography Basics and X-ray Procedures

Lecture #9 – Dental Materials – Students will learn various materials used in dentistry. Topics include cavity varnishes and liners, dental cements, surgical cements/periodontal dressing, glass ionomer cements, composites, sealants and dental amalgams. (Prerequisite: None)

Lecture #10 – Pediatric Dentistry – Specialty limited to the dental care of children. The students will learn the special requirements prior to treatment of children. Topics include informed consent from guardians, behavioral management of children during treatment and the common pediatric dental procedures. (Prerequisite: None)

Topics Covered:

Lecture #9 – Dental Materials
Lecture #10 – Pediatric Dentistry

Topics Covered: Alginate Impressions

Lecture #19- Maintenance Basics – Covers most maintenance and upkeep basics on various dental equipment. The students will learn what should be done daily vs weekly or monthly and annually. (Prerequisite: None)

Topics Covered: Dental Charting

Lecture #11 – Fixed Prosthodontics – Complete restoration, or the replacement, of one or more teeth in a dental arch. The students will learn the different types of fixed prosthodontics restorations. (Prerequisite: None)

Topics Covered: Lectures #11 – Fixed Prosthodontics

Topics Covered: Restorative Materials and Techniques

Topics Covered: Pedodontic Procedures

Lecture #13 – Topical and Local Anesthesia – Application of anesthetics to oral tissues. The students will learn the properties of anesthesia and when and where they are used. (Prerequisite: None)

Topics Covered:
Lecture #12 – Endodontics
Lecture #13 – Topical and Local Anesthesia

Topics Covered: Removable Prosthodontics

Topics Covered: Fixed Prosthodontics

Lecture #14 – Orthodontics – Prevention and correction of dental and oral deviations. The students will learn the various types and causes of malformations and malocclusions and how they are corrected. (Prerequisite: Lecture #5)

Lecture #15 – Periodontics – Deals with the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases which is the most common cause of tooth loss. The students will learn the causes of periodontal disease, symptoms, examination procedures and treatment. (Prerequisite: None)

Topics Covered:

Lecture #14 – Orthodontics
Lecture #15 – Periodontics

Topics Covered: Endodontic Treatment Procedures

Topics Covered: Techniques in Administering Anesthesia

Lecture #16 – Oral Surgery – Involves with removing of teeth, treating jaw fractures, bone and tissue grafts and removal of tumors and cysts and reconstruction of oral and dental deformities. The students will learn the various procedures and instruments use in oral surgery. (Prerequisite: None)

Topics Covered:
Lecture #16 – Oral Surgery
Lecture #17 – Medical Emergencies

Topics Covered: Placing Sealants and Home Bleaching

Topics Covered: Periodontal Treatment Procedures

Lecture #18 – Front Office Personnel – Student learns front office duties, reception, record keeping, patient scheduling and general office management/maintenance. (Prerequisite: None)

Lecture #20- Resume Preparation – Students learn the dos and don’ts of creating a resume. Students will gain understanding of what a well thought out resume should look like to land them the job of their choosing.

Congratulations on completing the lecture portion of the Dental Assisting course!

Topics Covered: Oral Surgical Procedures

Congratulations!! This week you will be taking your practical and final exam! You will use the attached pdf to complete questions 10 – 35 on the practical exam. Please print or have the pictures handy when taking the test.