Dental Assisting ProgramInformation Session

Duties of the Dental Assistantassisting the dentist during a variety of

treatment procedures taking and developing dental radiographs

(x-rays) asking about the patient's medical history

and taking blood pressure and pulse serving as an infection control officer,

developing infection control protocol and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment

Duties of the Dental Assistanthelping patients feel comfortable before,

during and after dental treatment providing patients with instructions for

oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures, such as the placement of a restoration (filling)

teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health;

(e.g., toothbrushing, flossing and nutritional counseling)

Duties of the Dental Assistanttaking impressions of patients' teeth for

study casts (models of teeth) performing office management tasks that

often require the use of a personal computer communicating with patients and suppliers

(e.g., scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, billing and ordering supplies)

helping to provide direct patient care in all dental specialties, including orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and oral surgery

Certificate of Dental Assisting Program GoalsTo attract and graduate competent and ethical

professionals with the skills and knowledge to practice as chairside dental assistants.

To prepare students to pass the Dental Assisting National Board Exam.

To prepare students to obtain employment as dental assistants.

To prepare students to recognize the need for a commitment toward professional growth through life-long learning and participation in professional activities.

Dental Assisting Program• Purpose: The curriculum is designed to prepare

selected students to serve in a dynamic and growing health profession as valuable members of the Dental Health team. At the successful completion of the program, the student will be eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board Examination.

• Transfer Information: Although transfer is not the primary purpose of a certificate program, GCC credits may transfer of to other associate degree programs and/or senior institutions. Students interested in transfer should contact a counselor or their faculty advisor early in their program.

American Dental Association Commission on Dental AccreditationSpecial Accreditation Status: The

curriculum has received initial accreditation status by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation and by the U.S. Department of Education. A fall site visit and final approval in July 2013 is anticipated.

American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation• Third Party Comments

– submitted by interested parties such as faculty, students, program administrators, Commission consultants, specialty and dental-related organizations, patients, and/or consumers.

– 60 days prior to each program's site visit to allow time for the program to respond.

– 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, or by calling 1/800-621-8099, extension 4653.

– All comments submitted must pertain only to the standards relative to the particular program being reviewed or policies and procedures used in the accreditation process.

Occupational Objectives• Dental assistants can work as clinical

auxiliaries, laboratory technicians, educators, researchers, administrators, managers, program developers, consumer advocates, sales and marketing managers, editors, and consultants. Clinical dental assistants may work in a variety of health care settings such as private dental offices, schools, public health clinics, hospitals, managed care organizations, federal and state institutions, or nursing homes.

Essential Dental Assisting Functions• Possess front desk and chair-side clinical skills including the abilities to see and hear

adequately to note slight changes in the client’s conditions and to hear adequately to perceive and interpret various equipment signals.

• Possess a good attitude and dedication toward other members of the health care team and patients.

• Be a team player, take initiative and be responsible. • Maintain patient confidentiality and communicate satisfactorily with clients,

physicians, peers, family members, and the health care team • Demonstrate sensitivity to patient needs. • Show empathy • Demonstrate adequate eye/hand coordination for dexterity in manipulation of hand

instruments and other equipment used in clinical practice. • Manage the care of a client in a sudden emergency, including one-man CPR when

necessary. • Possess the visual acuity to correctly read handwritten orders, medication records,

chart contents, and provide safety for clients.

• Despite the foregoing, a qualified person with a disability who can perform these essential functions with reasonable accommodation will be considered for admission along with other qualified applicants.

Dental Assisting Code of EthicsAdopted by the American Dental Assistants’ Association• Abide by the bylaws and regulations• Maintain loyalty to the Association• Follow Association objectives• Respect members & employees, serve, and act cooperatively

with them• Refrain from spreading malicious information regarding the

ADAA• Utilize sound business principles related to the organization• Serve the Association and instill public confidence in it• Uphold high personal standards of conduct• Hold separate personal opinions from those endorsed by the

ADAA• Refrain from acceptance of compensation from other members• Try to influence relevant legislation in a legal and ethical way

Curriculum RequirementsStudent Development . . . . . . . ….SDV 101 or any approved

SDV course . . . . . . . . . . . ……………………... . . .1 English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ENG 111 . . ………………... …

3Social Sciences . . . . . . . . . . . . ..PSY 200 ... ……………….. . .3Natural Sciences . . . . . . . . . . . .NAS 150. . ……………….. . ..3Major Requirements . . . . . . . …………………..…………..

DNA 103, 108, 110, 113, 130, 134, 114, 190, 119, 120, 140………………………………………................................... . . 28

Total Minimum Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …………. . . 38

SchedulingPrior to entry

ENG 111, NAS 150, PSY 200, and SDV 101Spring 2012

DNA 103, DNA 108, DNA 110, DNA 113, & DNA 134

Summer 2012DNA 114, DNA 190

Fall 2012DNA 119, DNA 120, DNA 130, & DNA 140

Course DescriptionsSpring SemesterDNA 103 - Introduction to Oral Health - Teaches anatomy of

the head and neck, the oral cavity hard and soft tissues, as well as tooth morphology. Includes dental terminology, deciduous and permanent dentition as well as pathology. Lecture 1 hour per week. 1 credits

DNA 108 - Dental Science - Studies head and neck anatomy, tooth morphology, pathological conditions of the oral cavity, disease processes, and microbiology. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week. 3 credits

DNA 110 - Dental Materials - Studies the materials utilized in the laboratory aspect of dentistry as support in treatment. Emphasis is placed on the characteristics, manipulation, economical control, storage, and delivery of materials. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week. 3 credits

Course DescriptionsSpring Semester ContinuedDNA 113 - Chairside Assisting I - Provides instruction on

the principles of clinical chair side dental assisting, dental equipment use and maintenance, safety, instrument identification, tray set-ups by procedures, and patient data collection. Emphasis on patient management during restorative procedures. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week. 3 credits

DNA 134 - Dental Radiology & Practicum- Studies techniques and devices used for protection from ionizing radiation. Teaches biological effects, cell sensitivity and genetic effects of ionizing radiation. Includes practice of bisection and parallel techniques on manikins. Prepares employed dental staff to meet the Virginia Board of Dentistry's regulations for certification in dental radiation safety hygiene. Lecture 1 hour. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 4 hours per week. 2 credits

Course DescriptionsSummer SemesterDNA 114 - Chairside Assisting II - Introduces the

student to the various dental specialties including oral surgery, orthodontics, periodontic, prosthodontics, endodontics, and pediatric dentistry. Integrates and applies previous course content to operative dental procedures. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 6 hours. Total 8 hours per week. 4 credits

DNA 190 - Coordinated Internship - Supervises on-the-job training in selected business, industrial or service firms coordinated by the college. Credit/practice ratio not to exceed 1:5 hours. May be repeated for credit. Variable hours. 1-5 credits

Course DescriptionsFall SemesterDNA 130 - Dental Office Management - Exposes

students to and provides practical experience in the legal aspects of dental office management with regard to ethics, jurisprudence, appointment control, recall systems, reception techniques, telephone techniques, accounts receivable and payable, payroll, insurance claims, inventory control, and professional conduct in a dental office. Lecture 1-2 hours. Laboratory 0-3 hours. Total 2-5 hours per week. 2-3 credits

DNA 119 - Dental Therapeutics - Exposes students to concepts and terminology related to pharmacology, pain control, and dental medicinal agents. Emphasis is placed on the use of materials in patient treatment. Lecture 1 hour per week. 1 credits

Course DescriptionsFall Semester ContinuedDNA 120 - Community Health - Studies topics

related to community health issues including identification of specific diseases, symptoms, causes, and effects. An emphasis is placed on the promotion of oral health in the community through patient education in oral home care techniques, dietary counseling, plaque control procedures and application of medicinal agents. Lecture 1 hour per week. 1 credit

DNA 140 - Externship - Exposes students to the fast pace of a dental practice while they perform support services with an established team. Lecture 1 hour. Laboratory 12 hours. Total 13 hours per week. 5 credits

Yes! This is what I want to do…Responsibilities of Dental Assisting

StudentsTo prepare students for the high ethical standards of the health professions, the College expects absolute academic integrity both in the classroom and in clinical practice.

Students in dental assisting program incur a variety of expenses in addition to college tuition and fees.

Student ResponsibilitiesComply with the dress code.Maintain liability/malpractice insurance. Complete learning experiences at local

clinics, private offices, and/or other community-based agencies.

Provide their own transportation to clinical assignments.

Student ResponsibilitiesResponsible for any expenses incurred

related to occupational injuries or accidents and for subsequent treatment.

Comply with all clinical contract protocols including immunization requirements, drug screening and background checks.

Must keep their CPR certifications current.

Student ResponsibilitiesMay not replace or take the responsibility of

“qualified” staff in affiliated facilities. Demonstrate professional behavior consistent

with standards associated with health care practitioners.

Yes, I still want to do it! What do I have to do?Be admitted to Germanna Community

CollegeMust have a high school diploma or GED.MTE 1 and 2 or appropriate placement

scores within five years.A 2.0 average in academic work is necessary

for consideration.Applicants must attend a dental assisting

program informational meeting with a dental faculty advisor.

Submitting The ApplicationCompleted applications, including HOBET

exam results, answered essay questions, official transcripts of all secondary and postsecondary courses, and 2 letters of recommendation must be received by the Department of Dental Program by October 1st .

Competitive & Selective AdmissionsThe applicants with:

the highest HOBET exam scoresThe highest GPA The most credits completed toward the

Certificate in Dental Assisting.Answers to short essay questions 2 letters of recommendation

HOBET ExamTHREE chances to pass each of the required

categories of the preadmission test. Students must wait a week (7 calendar days)

between each retake, and may opt to only re‐take the unsuccessful sections of the test.

Pre‐admission computer based test takes approximately 3.5 hours to complete, all sections of the test.

HOBET ExamA preparatory study guide they can be

obtained from ATI for $40.00, refer to http://www.atitesting.com. For further information.

In order to register to take the HOBET test, student applicants MUST create an account prior to taking the test, this can be satisfied by logging in to http://www.atitesting.com and select “Create new account” to create your username and password.

HOBET TestBring your username and password with you to the

Testing Center. At the time of username and password establishment you will not be allowed to pay at that time, however once you opt to test then payment will be required to obtain the necessary testing code. The cost of the exam is $25.00. Please go to either the LGC or FAC testing centers to pay for the test online. The established username and password, as well as an active debit or credit card will be needed. Upon confirmed payment, the student applicant will be able to proceed to take the timed test. (Payment will require knowledge of how to make an online payment using a credit card)

HOBET TestStudent applicants will get their HOBET

results immediately upon the completion of the test and they are asked to print or scan a copy of their results for inclusion in their dental assisting application.

Other Facts To KnowA current working knowledge of the basic

computer use and the principles of biology, math, and chemistry is expected.

In all dental assisting courses, math, science, and computer literacy courses should have been successfully completed within the previous five years.

Deficiencies may be corrected through appropriate courses at Germanna prior to admission to the program.

Other Facts To KnowThe Virginia Board of Dentistry may deny any

applicant for licensure if the applicant has willfully committed a felony/misdemeanor under laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia or of the United States.

It is strongly recommended that students maintain health insurance. The college is not responsible for any health care expenses that may occur as a result of an occupational injury or hazard.

Policy on Blood-borne PathogensGermanna Community College complies with

all recommendations and requirements issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Any prospective students interested in receiving a copy of the program’s policies on blood-borne pathogens should contact Misty L. Mesimer at 540-423-9823 or mmesimer@germanna.edu.

Career OpportunitiesDental Assistant II - Virginia“means a person under the direction of a

dentist who is registered to perform reversible, intraoral procedures as specified”

Must have a CDARegistered with/by the Board of Dentistry

Additional Training for the DA IIAt least 50 hours of didactic course work in

dental anatomy and operative dentistryLaboratory/Clinical Training

placing, packing, carving and polishing of amalgam restorations = 120 hours

placing and shaping composite resin restorations = 180

taking final impressions and use of a non-epinephrine retraction cord = 60

final cementation of crowns and bridges after adjustment and fitting by the dentist = 90 hours

Additional Training for the DA IIA written examination at the conclusion of

the 50 hours of didactic coursework;A practical examination at the conclusion of

each module of laboratory training; andA comprehensive written examination at the

conclusion of all required coursework, training and experience for each of the corresponding modules.   

More Career OpportunitiesOffice/Practice Management

Registered Dental Hygienist

DDS or DMD

Consulting

Department ContactsMisty Mesimer, RDH, MSCH, CDA

Marlana Gravely, MSDH, RDH, CDA2130 Germanna HighwayLocust Grove, VA 22508

540-423-9823http://www.germanna.edu/dnh/

dentalassisting/?menuchoice=Dental Assisting

LGC = 504E