Dental Assistant
Course Introduction
Core Standards of the Course
Strand 1
Students will examine the field of dentistry.
Standard 1
Describe the following dental health team members (including educational requirements, professional organizations, responsibilities, and licensure)
Standard 2
Describe the following areas of specialization in dentistry:
Strand 2
Students will identify areas of the dental office and basic dental equipment.
Standard 1
Identify and describe the following areas of the dental office:
Standard 2
Identify and describe proper use and maintenance of the following equipment:
Standard 3
Outline basic morning and evening routines.
Strand 3
Students will demonstrate an understanding of appropriate ethical and legal behavior in a dental setting.
Standard 1
Define the difference between ethics and laws including the importance of professional and personal ethics in the workplace.
Standard 2
Discuss ethical and legal responsibilities for the dental healthcare worker.
Standard 3
Identify standards of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act/HIPAA and discuss the need to protect the patient’s privacy.
Standard 4
Explain the purpose of the State Dental Practice Act and how it applies to the role of the dental assistant. List and understand the levels of supervision.
Strand 4
Students will demonstrate personal safety procedures based on OHSA and CDC guidelines.
Standard 1
Explain the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard including:
Standard 2
Outline the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard including:
Standard 3
Compare and contrast the roles of government agencies.
Strand 5
Students will demonstrate infection control protocol.
Standard 1
Identify the components of the chain of infection.
Standard 2
Identify modes of infection transmission in the dental office.
Standard 3
Outline standards for prevention of disease transmission.
Standard 4
Compare the different types of dental waste and appropriate waste disposal.
Strand 6
Oral Anatomy. Students will identify intra-oral anatomy and surrounding structures.
Standard 1
Identify teeth by name, location, and permanent, primary or mixed dentition.
Standard 2
Identify anatomical parts, tissues, and surfaces of a tooth.
Standard 3
Identify supporting structures
Standard 4
Identify primary and permanent teeth using the Universal Tooth Numbering System.
Standard 5
Identify major landmarks of the oral cavity and surrounding structures
Standard 6
Describe genetic and developmental factors that can affect dental development
Strand 7
Students will identify the infectious process of dental caries, and other diseases of the oral cavity.
Standard 1
Outline the dental caries process:
Standard 2
Describe the clinical characteristics of periodontal disease:
Standard 3
Recognize the diseases/conditions of the oral cavity and tongue including:
Strand 8
Students will identify components of a comprehensive preventive dentistry program including patient education.
Standard 1
Explain the parts of a preventive dentistry program and their effects on oral conditions.
Standard 2
Identify different products used for oral hygiene and their uses.
Strand 9
Students will be able to perform the skills and responsibilities of a dental assistant in the front office.
Standard 1
Identify the differences between verbal and nonverbal communications.
Standard 2
Demonstrate good phone courtesy.
Standard 3
Outline the process of scheduling appointments
Standard 4
Discuss the functions of computerized practice management systems.
Standard 5
Identify the data gathering process and prepare a patient record.
Standard 6
Define terminology related to insurance.
Learn the common dental procedure codes.
Diagnostic D0100-D0999
Preventive D1000-D1999
Restorative D2000-D2999
Endodontics D3000-D3999
Periodontics D4000-D4999
Removable Prosthodontics D5000-D5899
Maxillofacial Prosthetics D5900-D5999
Implant Services D6000-D6199
Fixed Prosthodontics D6200-D6999
Oral Surgery D7000-D7999
Orthodontics D8000-D8999
Adjunctive General Services D9000-D9999
Strand 10
Students will be able to perform basic life support skills.
Standard 1
Describe the signs and symptoms of common medical emergencies and describe how to respond to them.
Standard 2
Understand how to take, record, and monitor vital signs using automated systems:
Strand 1
Students will be able to perform the skills and responsibilities expected of a dental assistant in a dental examination.
Standard 1
Describe the role of the dental assistant in the clinical examination.
Standard 2
Explain the importance of a treatment plan.
Standard 3
Maintain records in accordance with legal guidelines.
Strand 2
Students will be able to perform the skills and responsibilities expected of a dental assistant in a coronal polish and application of fluoride.
Standard 1
Explain the difference between an oral prophylaxis and coronal polishing.
Standard 2
Explain safety precautions to be followed during coronal polish.
Standard 3
Outline the methods of fluoride therapy.
Standard 4
Explain the set up and use of instruments for dental sealants.
Strand 3
Students will demonstrate radiological protection and infection control as they expose, evaluate, and mount dental images.
Standard 1
Explain to a patient the benefits of dental x-rays.
Standard 2
Identify types of intraoral and extraoral radiographs and the purpose of each.
Standard 3
Identify the components of the dental x-ray machine and their use including handheld devices.
Standard 4
Demonstrate methods of radiation protection for the patient during x-ray exposure.
Standard 5
Demonstrate methods of radiation protection for the operator during x-ray exposure.
Standard 6
Discuss infection control during x-ray procedures.
Standard 7
Evaluate x-rays for diagnostic quality.
Standard 8
Identify common exposure and technique error
Standard 9
Identify radiographic landmarks for mounting intraoral films.
Strand 4
Students will examine pain control in the dental office setting.
Standard 1
Explain the set-up and protocol of a local anesthetic injection.
Standard 2
Compare local anesthetic agents with or without vasoconstrictors.
Standard 3
Identify the complications and precautions for dental anesthesia.
Standard 4
Explain the use and procedure of nitrous oxide in dental treatment.
Standard 5
Describe the equipment used in nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia.
Strand 5
Students will identify components of operative procedures and assist in patient treatment.
Standard 1
Identify reasons for dental treatment.
Standard 2
Outline responsibilities of the dental assistant in operative dental procedures.
Standard 3
Identify handpieces and burs, their common uses in operative dentistry, and maintenance.
Standard 4
Outline treatment options for vital bleaching.
Standard 5
Explain the set up and use of instruments for a composite procedure.
Standard 6
Explain the steps for composite procedures.
Strand 1
Students will perform skills and assist with indirect prosthodontic procedures.
Standard 1
Identify and explain the types of prosthetic appliances.
Standard 2
Explain the set up and use of instruments for crown and bridge procedures.
Standard 3
Complete laboratory authorization forms.
Standard 4
Explain how to mix cements.
Standard 5
Explain the set up and use of instruments for the delivery of removable prosthodontics (partials and dentures).
Strand 2
Students will demonstrate basic knowledge of and assist with common surgical procedures.
Standard 1
Explain the set up and use of instruments in a simple extraction set up.
Standard 2
Explain the set up and use of instruments in a surgical extraction set up.
Standard 3
Discuss post-operative instructions following extractions to a patient.
Standard 4
Explain the set up and use of instruments used in suture removal.
Strand 3
Students will demonstrate basic knowledge of and assist with procedures related to endodontics.
Standard 1
Explain the set up and use of instruments and accessories used in endodontic treatment.
Standard 2
Discuss steps in the endodontic exam including the methods of pulp testing.
Standard 3
Explain the steps of a root canal procedure.
Standard 4
Explain the set up and use of instruments for a dental dam.
Strand 4
Student will demonstrate basic knowledge related to orthodontics.
Standard 1
Identify primary and permanent teeth using the Palmer numbering system.
Standard 2
List the benefits of orthodontic treatment.
Standard 3
Explain proper care, oral hygiene and dietary instructions as it relates to orthodontic appliances.
Strand 5
Students will utilize materials and demonstrate skills related to in-office laboratory procedures.
Standard 1
Explain the set up and use of equipment found in the laboratory.
Standard 2
List the three types of impressions taken in a dental office.
Standard 3
Explain the set up and use of preliminary impressions.
Strand 1
Students will demonstrate their job seeking skills.
Standard 1
Determine personal career goals and employment opportunities.
Standard 2
Outline techniques for successful jobs.
Strand 2
Students must complete a minimum of 90 hours of clinical experience in a dental office.
Standard 1
Complete the Dental Assisting Clinical Application:
Standard 2
Complete a clinical work schedule calendar.
Standard 3
Provide weekly documentation of hours in attendance at clinical site and skills performed.
Standard 4
Upon completion of clinical hours, have clinical site complete evaluation, and return to the instructor.
Benchmark 1 - DENTAL SCIENCE I
Benchmark 2 - DENTAL SCIENCE II
Benchmark 3 - DENTAL SCIENCE III
Benchmark 4 - DENTAL SCIENCE IV
Workplace Skills
Describe the characteristics of a professional dental assistant.
http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE). Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - MAREN HANSEN and see the CTE/Health Science website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - THALEA LONGHURST. These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.