Common Course Outline

Catalog Description

Course Description

This course is designed to provide the student with a meaningful occupational experience in dental assisting. A training plan will be developed for each student including three separate rotations in three different dental practices. Two internship rotations will be in a general dental practice and one internship rotation will be in a dental specialty practice. Seminars are part of the required internship experience and attendance is required. Successful completion of this internship is required to graduate from this accredited Dental Assisting Program (Instructor permission required).

Date Last Revised (Month, year)

September, 2021

Outline of Major Content Areas

1. Patient/Team Communications
2. Professional Attributes and Ethics
3. Chairside Assisting Skills
4. Chairside Manipulation of Dental Materials
5. MN Expanded Functions
6. Dental Laboratory Skills
7. Dental Infection Control and Hazards Management
8. Dental Office Procedures

Learning Outcomes (General)

The student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a working knowledge of dental terminology and the dental sciences.
2. Collect systematically and accurately record diagnostic and clinical data.
3. Employ current principles of effective chairside assisting for general and dental specialty procedures and dental/medical emergencies.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in performing expanded functions for Minnesota licensed dental assistants.
5. Implement current principles and guidelines of dental infection control, aseptic techniques, and hazards management.
6. Prepare and manipulate chairside and dental laboratory materials and fabricate dental models, impression trays and appliances.
7. Provide oral health instruction to dental patients and community groups.
8. Perform patient reception and dental business office procedures effectively.
9. Communicate effectively with dental patient’s and members of the dental health care team.
10. Establish positive working relationships with patients and members of the dental health care team.
11. Function in a responsible, professional, and ethical manner.

Learning Outcomes (MnTC)

NA

Methods for Evaluation of Student Learning

Methods may include but are not limited to:

• Participation
• Weekly evaluation and conferences by a dentist (or their representative) and a dental assistant in the dental office.
• Dental Assistant Program staff visit the intern in the office to conference with the dental staff and the intern.
• Intern documents clinical experiences on written assignments.
• weekly journal assignments
• Intern maintains a record of their hours at each clinical rotation.
• Intern prepares for and participates in scheduled Dental assisting Internship seminars.

RCTC Core Outcome(s)

This course contributes to meeting the following RCTC Core Outcome(s):

Personal and Professional Accountability

Students will take responsibility as active learners for achieving their educational and personal goals.

Special Information (if any)

Malpractice Insurance Health Insurance Approved state background study Current certification in American Red Cross or American Heart Association BLS (Basic Life Support) Healthcare Provider CPR/AED. Students must provide their own transportation for their assigned internships. Internships are arranged and assigned by the Director of the Dental Assisting Program. Students must comply with all policies as stated in the DA 1280: Dental Assisting Internship syllabus. Students must wear the RCTC Dental Assistant Program uniform, safety glasses, and nametag during their internship. Students must maintain a professional uniform/appearance and behavior during internship. Students are required to successfully complete a minimum number of internship hours and attend all internship seminars to comply with the ADA Accreditation Standards for Dental Assisting Internships.