William S. Hart Union High School District
Regional Occupational Program
Course Outline
1. Course Title:
Dental Assisting
2. CBEDS Title:
Dental Services
3. CBEDS Number:
4234
4. Job Title/DOT Codes:
Health Services
5. Course Description:
ROP covers the basic unlicensed duties of a back office and
chairside dental assistant. It does not teach areas that would require an RDA license
to work in a dental office. Course subjects include dental health care occupations,
dental history, and general workings of a dental office. Professional and legal aspects
of Dental Assisting and the California Dental Practice Act as well as dental sciences
in anatomy. Disease transmission, infection control and hazardous materials,
disinfecting, sterilization and instrument processing are covered. Clinical dentistry,
moisture control, basic restorative procedures and patient care are covered including
pharmacology and local anesthesia , emergency procedures (American Red Cross
CPR for the Health Care Provider and standard first aid). Dental Radiography from
principals of radiation to quality full mouth x-rays on patients are covered.
6. Hours:
7. Prerequisites:
Students receive up to 360 hours of classroom instruction and 60
hours of on the job training.
Required:
1. A positive attitude
2. Have patience and relate well to others
3. 16 years of age
8. Course Outline
Essential Employability Skills/Career Preparation Standards
I. Career Preparation Standards
A. Understand how personal skill development, including positive
attitude, honesty, self-confidence, time management, and other
positive traits affect employability.
1. Define professional role/responsibilities of the dental assistant.
2. Identify ethical and legal roles and responsibilities
3. Demonstrate ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
4. Demonstrate personal characteristics for securing/maintaining
employment.
11
Hours of Instruction
Classroom CC/CVE
5. Appropriate dress and grooming for employment.
6. Demonstrate initiative.
B. Understand principles of effective interpersonal skills, including
group dynamics, conflict resolution, and negotiation.
1. Identify personal responsibilities for the dental assistant.
2. Participate in interactions with teachers and students.
3. Understand laws dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace.
C. Understand the importance of good basic academic skills, critical
thinking, and problem solving skills in the workplace.
1. Demonstrate critical reading, writing, and math skills.
2. Read, write, give and follow directions.
3. Define, spell, pronounce and understand educational terms.
4. Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills.
5. Recognize problem situations and appropriate responses.
D. Understand principals of effective communication.
1. Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
2. Identify non-verbal forms of communication.
3. Effectively communicate with coworkers.
4. Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
5. Use effective telephone skills.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of record keeping procedures.
E. Understand and adapt to changing technology.
1. Understand the use of computer technology used in dentistry.
2. Correctly use and care for supplies and equipment.
3. Read, understand, and follow directions in a reference manual.
4. Understand the role of computers in classroom instruction and
record keeping.
5. Use communication technology (phones, intercom, fax, e-mail).
F. Understand career paths and strategies for obtaining employment.
1. Identify career paths in the dental field.
2. Identify related career opportunities.
3. Locate employment opportunities information.
4. Prepare a resume.
5. Complete employment applications.
6. Identify effective interview techniques.
7. Understand requirements and importance of professional growth.
Additional hours for Career Preparation Standards are integrated into instruction
in content area standards.
2
Hours of Instruction
Classroom CC/CVE
Content Area Skills:
II.
Course Orientation
A. Identify course objectives and class requirements
B. Describe class attendance and behavioral objectives.
C. Satisfy course safety requirements
III. Orientation to Dentistry
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A. Understand the dental health field, including history, dental careers, and law.
1. Name significant historical contributions in dentistry.
2. List different dental careers and specialty fields.
3. Name professional and regulating organizations in dentistry.
4. Describe the dental practice act as it relates to law and dentistry.
IV. California Dental Practice Act
V. Anatomy of Head and Neck
5
10
4
10
5
A. Understand basic principals of human anatomy of the head and neck.
1. Illustrate skeletal formation of bones and landmarks
2. Describe the muscle groups of the face.
3. Show the relationship of the blood supply and innervation.
4. Label the facial landmarks.
5. Point out the structures of the oral cavity.
VI. Tooth Morphology
A. Demonstrate and understanding of tooth morphology.
1. Define tooth anatomy.
2. Describe the primary and permanent dentition.
3. Illustrate the dental arches, quadrants and tooth numbers.
VII. Oral Hygiene
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A. Understand the importance of good oral hygiene.
1. Describe preventative dentistry.
2. Demonstrate plaque control through proper brushing and flossing.
3. Give basic rules of good nutrition.
VIII. Disease Transmission
A. Understand transmission of diseases most common in the dental office.
1. Describe types of oral pathology found in the mouth.
2. Explain microbiology’s significance in dentistry.
3. State routes of disease transmission and most at risk diseases in dentistry.
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IX. Infection Control
A. Understand the principals of infection control in the dental office.
1. Give the definition of Universal precautions.
2. Demonstrate proper sterilization in the dental office.
3. Show how to properly disinfect treatment and laboratory areas.
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X. Hazard Management
A. Understand OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard and OSHA Hazard
Mangement Standard.
10
2
3
Hours of Instruction
Classroom CC/CVE
1. Define OSHA and EPA regulations in dentistry.
2. Describe how risk management is viewed in the dental office.
3. List the components of hazard communications.
XI. Dental Emergencies
A. Understand how to prevent and treat medical emergencies.
1. Have knowledge of emergency preparedness.
2. List types of emergencies most common in the dental setting.
3. Learn CPR and First Aid.
XII. Dental Equipment
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8
2
A. Operate and maintain dental equipment.
1. Operate the patient chair and dental unit.
2. Show how to use lab equipment.
3. Describe daily routines found in the dental office.
XIII. Instrumentation
A. Identify and state the use of several basic dental instruments.
1. Identify of hand instruments and their uses.
2. Identify rotary instruments, their maintenance and use.
3. Identify various burs used in restorative procedures.
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XIV. Chairside Procedures
A. Understand basic chairside skills.
1. Demonstrate high volume evacuation and moisture control techniques.
2. Sequence dental procedures including proper instrument transfer.
3. Demonstrate dental charting.
45
XV. Dental Radiology
(Using state approved curriculum/course in conjunction from local certified school)
80
XVI. Basic Dental Procedures
A. Understand basic dental procedures.
1. Describe the instrumentation and components of the dental exam.
2. Show the instrumentation used in a dental prophylaxis.
3. Demonstrate how to assist with anesthesia procedures.
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XVII. Dental Materials and Supplies
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A. Demonstrate the proper use and how to follow manufacturer’s directions when
Using dental materials.
1. Show how to properly mix cements.
2. Demonstrate the preparation of impression materials.
3. Show proper use of gypsum products.
4. Show how to maintain inventory control.
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XVIII. Restorative Procedures
A. Understand the sequencing and assistant responsibilities in restorative
Procedures.
1. Demonstrate the amalgam procedure and proper handling of the materials.
2. Show how composites and cosmetic dentistry are applicable.
3. Show crown and bridge procedure techniques.
10
40
30
4
Hours of Instruction
Classroom CC/CVE
XVIV. Specialties
A. Give specific procedures done in dental specialties.
1. Explain the sepsis techniques for oral surgery.
2. List the stages of periodontal disease.
3. show proper sequencing of endodontic procedures.
4. Give the terms and conditions common in posthodontics.
5. Explain commonly used appliance in orthodontic therapy.
6. Describe child management in pediatric dentisty.
7. State the laws concerning abuse as they pertain to dentistry.
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10. Additional Items:
a. Instructional Methods: (examples below)
 Whole group instruction
 Written and oral assignments
 Audiovisual presentations
 Group discussions
 Cooperative learning
 Guest speakers
 Role play
 Field trips
 Demonstration
b. The Essentials of Dental Assisting by Torres and Bird – Textbook & Student
Workbook
Modern Dental Assisting, Bird and Robinson – Textbook
c. Certificates:
Students receive a Certificate of Achievement in ROP Dental Assisting upon
successful completion of all units and associated tests.
Radiology Certificate upon successful completion of the state approved Radiology
Course as per Clarita Career College curriculum.
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