Dental Assistant - Moncton Diploma (Level II)

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts in a clinical setting. Skills are developed through clinical simulations, peer and client experiences. Students will demonstrate a variety of dental assisting skills used in four-handed dentistry, optimal infection prevention and control, as well as level II DA duties such as rubber dam placement and taking preliminary impressions. Emphasis is placed on clinician and client safety in the clinical setting.

This module will provide the students with knowledge of ethics and law in dentistry and the dental assisting profession. The class will consist of instruction and practical role-playing experiences that will allow the student to implement their communication skills in the dental office and with the public.

Students will gain an understanding of the role of a receptionist and how to communicate effectively.
Understanding the psychology of a patient, the proper maintenance of a patient file, accounts payable/receivable, payroll and insurance form procedures and processing will be taught. Basic banking procedures commonly used will also be covered.

Oral microbiology will focus on the study of microorganisms existing in the oral cavity. Knowledge of microbiology and the role of infectious diseases in the dental office will be covered.

The students will complete the theory required to be able to confidently practice in a clinical setting. Sterilization, disinfection and orientation to the office and clinical set up will be taught and reinforced through clinical experience.

This module will include an orientation to the structures of the human body and the functions within them. Topics covered: parts of the cell to the major body systems and how they work together.

Chair side intra-oral procedures and processes will be detailed in a classroom setting and then demonstrated and evaluated in the clinic. The student will learn to recognize and understand the procedures, instruments and materials used to complete common restorative appointments.

This course will educate the students in dental sciences including embryology, landmarks of the oral cavity and components of the dentition. Applying the information to a clinic setting by demonstrating the ability to complete a patient record will be achieved.

This course will educate students in dental health, allowing them to recognize, explain, and demonstrate proper oral hygiene techniques to their patients. The skills required to perform preventative dental assisting tasks will be demonstrated in a clinic setting as students practice on a typodont, each other and graduate to patient care. This course also covers basic nutrition theory that will allow the student to be able to discuss the relationship between diet and good dental health with their patients. Community dental health projects will be prepared and delivered throughout the year.

A dental assisting student will gain the understanding of objectives related to the classification of drugs, how they affect dental procedures and how to use drug reference material, including understanding prescriptions. The knowledge and understanding of medical emergencies and how to assist during one of these emergencies is key to a dental practice.

Basic principles of physics and radiography will be covered, ensuring that the student understands the importance of radiology and the safety precautions required to operate a dental X-ray unit. Techniques will be taught in class, and practical experience will be gained later in the program.

This course will provide the student with a detailed description of the head and neck region including theory as it relates to the bones, muscles, nerves, and blood supply. This course will also present the student with material on diseases of the oral cavity and diagnostic information that a dentist would use to determine pathologies. The course consists of classroom material enhanced with a series of instructor handouts and visual materials.

This module is comprised of a series of seminars derived from dental specialties. Information will be delivered as it relates to the practice of a dental assistant in any specialty office. The course is supported by a series of guest speakers and office rotations.

Tooth morphology and proper charting will be covered during this module. A clinical chart will be discussed in depth including details on obtaining information and being able to complete a chart in detail. Students will learn how to complete a chart and to understand the importance of being able to communicate the information to the patient.

Taking place in a lab setting, combined with classroom instruction, students will learn the methods of lab procedures such as taking impressions, pouring, and trimming models and preparing custom trays.

This module will provide the student with the opportunity to learn hands on and be evaluated on all aspects of clinical dental assisting. The complete process of client care will be brought together in a “real” clinic setting as the student schedules patients to be treated in a supervised patient clinic.

The student will practice radiology techniques on a typodont, including safety, exposing, processing, and mounting radiographs. Students will be required to expose a full mouth series using the paralleling technique and will also simulate panoramic radiography.

Five weeks of supervised practical clinical experience will be achieved. First week is separate in the year during studies, and the program concludes with a four-week supervised practicum in a general dentistry practice and students gain hands-on practice.