Dental Assistant

Career Diploma

Program Outline

Instruction Sets
Your accredited learning program includes ten Instruction Sets designed to take you step-by-step through the knowledge and skills you'll employ in your new career as a Dental Assistant. You receive the first course as soon as your enrollment has been accepted, and other courses will follow as you complete your exams.

Computer Specifications
As you know this is an online academic program. This means you will need access to high-speed internet to begin your program. In addition, you will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows 10® or later or an Apple® Mac® computer running macOS® or later, and an email account to complete this program with Penn Foster.

Here is an overview of what you'll learn and the order in which you'll access your lessons:

Program Goal and Outcomes

Program Goal: The Dental Assistant career diploma program prepares students for an entry-level position as a Dental Assistant.

Program Outcomes:
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Discuss the personality traits, characteristics, and qualifications required to be a successful dental assistant along with the elements and principles of ethical decision making and HIPAA rules that underpin all good clinical practice
  • Explain the anatomy and physiology of the head, neck, and oral cavity, including parts of the teeth and types of teeth and how they’re charted in a dental office
  • Discuss the goals of preventive dentistry and the relationship between nutrition and dental caries
  • Identify infectious diseases, the modes of disease transmission, and their relationship to patients and occupational risks in a dental office
  • Describe the best practices and procedures for preventing disease transmission in a dental office, including occupational safety and administrative protocols
  • Describe the best practices and procedures for obtaining and evaluating radiographic images, including documentation, patient care, equipment, materials, and occupational safety, infection control, and administrative protocols
  • Describe the procedures used when assisting a dentist and/or dental hygienist in a dental office, including the materials, medications, and equipment used, documentation, and assisting with emergency situations, patients with special needs, and medically compromised patients
  • Describe the skills, strategies, and equipment used for successful communication in a dental office
  • Clean and sterilize dental instruments
  • Explain the front office responsibilities of a dental assistant, including bookkeeping, record keeping, scheduling, billing, processing insurance claims, and other duties using both physical and digital methods
  • Discuss the importance of professional appearance, professional development, and strategies for seeking employment and resume preparation

Instruction Set 1

Starting Your Program
In this course, you’ll develop the necessary skills to ensure your success in the program. You’ll explore how you can improve your study skills so you’re able to use a number of tools that will help you to be successful.

Objective:

  • Identify skills needed to be a confident and independent online learner

Instruction Set 2

Introduction to Dental Assistant
This course introduces you to dentistry, dental assisting, and being a part of a dental team. You’ll review some of the history of dentistry, beginning with the Egyptians and continuing through the ages. You’ll read about the origins of inventions and the predecessors of modern equipment.

You’ll also study how to identify the members of the dental team and their duties. The different types of dental offices and their separate areas will be described. The professional qualifications and responsibilities of a dental assistant will be addressed, along with a look at how licensure is managed.

Objectives:

  • Identify the pioneers of modern dentistry and career opportunities
  • Recognize the members of the dental health team and their offices

Instruction Set 3

Dental Terminology, Anatomy, and Charting
In this course, you’ll analyze varying dental terminology, including the oral cavity, dental anatomy, and tooth morphology.

Objectives:

  • Identify terminology and anatomy in dentistry
  • Analyze cavities and how to chart

Instruction Set 4

Preventative Dentistry and Ethics
In this course, you’ll review preventative dentistry and how nutrition impacts it. You’ll also identify how dental law and ethics applies in the office.

Objectives:

  • Identify the importance of preventative dentistry and how nutrition affects it
  • Analyze dental law and ethics in the dental office

Instruction Set 5

Infection Control and Dental Emergencies
In this course, you’ll study the different facets of the dental operatory, including patients, instrumentation, and moisture control. You’ll also review disease transmission, pathology, and dental emergencies. Finally, you’ll go over how to control infection in dentistry.

Objectives:

  • Identify the facets of the dental operatory
  • Analyze disease transmission, pathology, and dental emergencies
  • Describe how to control infection in dentistry

Instruction Set 6

OSHA and Radiology
In this course, you’ll first cover OSHA regulations and how they’re applied in the dental office. Next, you’ll study radiology. You’ll read dental film, diagnose radiographs, and process radiographs.

Objectives:

  • Define OSHA regulations and how they’re applied in the dental office
  • Describe radiology and read dental film
  • Analyze how to diagnose radiographs and how to process an exposed radiograph

Instruction Set 7

Dental Medications and Materials
In this course, you’ll study the basics of pharmacology and its relationship to the dental profession. You’ll review various components and methods of how to prepare and administer anesthesia safely. You’ll also review dental restorative materials and how they’re used in restorations, as well as dental impression materials.

Objectives:

  • Explain how pharmacology and anesthesiology relate to the dental assistant role
  • Describe various basic dental materials used in dental procedures
  • Describe various impression materials

Instruction Set 8

Dental Specialties
In this course, you’ll study endodontics and periodontics, the field of dentistry that deals with the tissues that surround the teeth. You’ll be introduced to the specialties of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics and the specialties of prosthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Objectives:

  • Explain conditions, diagnoses, instruments, and various procedures involved with endodontic and periodontal dentistry
  • Discuss various procedures, conditions, and treatments in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics
  • Discuss procedures performed in a prosthodontic office and procedures for oral and maxillofacial surgeries

Instruction Set 9

Dental Front Office
In this course, you’ll go over professional communication skills such as interpersonal communication, the eight levels of relating to others, conflict resolution, and how to greet patients. This course will also cover how to maintain the reception area and professional skills needed for business administration for the dental assistant.

Objectives:

  • Analyze professional communication skills
  • Discuss professional skills needed by a dental assistant for business administration of a dental office

Instruction Set 10

Professional Opportunities and Management Software
In this course, you’ll study how to use appointment modules, account modules, chart and image modules, and how to manage employee information. You’ll learn the importance of maintaining a professional appearance and continuing professional development. This course also provides information on how to search for employment opportunities and what the next steps are once you locate employment opportunities.

Objectives:

  • Analyze appointment modules, account modules, chart and image modules, and managing employee information
  • Discuss professional appearance, professional development, and locating employment opportunities

Materials Received Upon Program Completion:

  • Mosby's Dental Assisting Exam Review

 

Online Library and Librarian
Students in Penn Foster College have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and to assist students in research activities during their studies with Penn Foster College International.

A High School Diploma, Secondary School Diploma, or equivalent is required to enroll in this program.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Apple, Mac, and macOS are trademarks of Apple, Inc. registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.