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Dental Assisting

The Dental Assisting Program is a comprehensive Level II program, accredited by the Commission of Accreditation for the Canadian Dental Association. The dental assistant is an important member of the dental team, utilizing his/her skills to provide knowledgeable and efficient dental care to patients, in a variety of dental procedures (i.e. restorative, oral surgery, orthodontic, endodontic, preventative and laboratory).

Upon successful completion of this fourteen-month program, students are required to obtain a license to practice prior to performing any intra-oral skills. Graduates are eligible to write the National Dental Assisting Board exam but this is not a requirement for the attainment of their Holland College Level II Diploma. It may be criteria for licensure in some provinces and individuals are responsible to contact the provincial licensing body of the province in which they will be employed, to determine specific provincial licensure requirements.

Level II Dental Assisting program - encompasses chair-side dental assisting skills with licensable intra-oral clinical procedures (i.e. application of dental dams, liners and varnishes, matrix retainers, fluoride, exposing radiographs, taking impressions, placing sealants, polishing amalgam restorations and suture removal).

Other Dental related courses are offered on an ongoing basis via Distance Delivery.

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Courses

List of Courses

Dental Assisting Courses

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Take the following course(s), minimum grade: Pass

Practicum: Dental Assisting

Students will be given the opportunity to experience two practicum experiences during this course. The first placement will provide the student with the opportunity to observe procedures within a dental clinic as well as demonstrate receptionist and chairside skills. During the second practicum students will be expected to perform effectively as an Intra Oral dental assistant and exhibit professional conduct in the work place. This practicum is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to integrate their knowledge and demonstrate competency in all skills and knowledge gained throughout the program.

Hours: 180
Course Code: DENAST-1170
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1170 Practicum Dental Assisting
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Take the following course(s), minimum grade: 75%

Basic Dental Assisting

This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform basic dental assisting procedures efficiently and ergonomically. Theory and clinic practice will be combined to achieve competency with the instruments, equipment, materials, and techniques involved in restorative dentistry.

Hours: 60
Course Code: DENAST-1005
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1005 Basic Dental Assisting
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Oral Health Education

This course prepares students to assess the oral health educational needs of the patient based on the special needs of that patient. Students will learn to identify oral disease processes and appropriate educational methodologies, products for patient use, and problems that occur in the oral cavity in relation to oral health and how to maintain and improve oral health. Students will also develop and present oral health presentations to community groups.

Hours: 45
Course Code: DENAST-1055
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1055 Oral Health Education
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Dental Assisting Profession

In this course students gain an overview of the dental assisting profession, the laws that govern it, and the professional skills needed to be successful in the field. Students will explore and demonstrate competencies in professional areas such as teamwork, effective communication, conflict resolution, personal management skills, and problem solving. Students will also learn about health and safety guidelines within WHMIS, ethics and legal rights in the dental setting and unique clinical needs that may be required for some dental patients.

Hours: 30
Course Code: DENAST-1100
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1100 Dental Assisting Profession
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Infection Control

Throughout the dental assisting program and into their careers students will be expected to continue to prove competency in all aspects of infection control. The infection control course will provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure patient and team safety are maintained. Through clinical practice students will learn to; operate and maintain equipment while applying principles of infection control, prepare for dental procedures and assist for dental procedures while maintaining an aseptic environment, process instruments according to their surface classification. Students will gain a basic understanding of microbiology as it relates to infection control. Emphasis will be placed on ethical practice, organizations that provide guidelines for safe practice as well as legislation designed to protect all parties.

Hours: 45
Course Code: DENAST-1110
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1110 Infection Control
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Dental Sciences

This course provides students with an overview of oral anatomy and physiology of the head and neck areas. Students will develop knowledge in appropriate terminology necessary to competently perform skills both as a dental operator and a dental assistant.

Hours: 45
Course Code: DENAST-1115
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1115 Dental Sciences
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Dental Charting

Students will be competent in the skill of dental charting and will be able to manage information found within a patient chart upon completion of this course. Students will be able to interpret information found within dental patient charts, transfer information delivered through verbal dictation into a patient chart and create graphic representations of existing and required treatment into a patient chart.

Hours: 45
Course Code: DENAST-1120
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1120 Dental Charting
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Dental Radiography

This course focuses on radiographic techniques, processing, and mounting. Through a combination of theory and clinical experiences, students will gain the knowledge and skills required to demonstrate the basic principles of radiography, perform digital imaging, and expose intra-oral radiographs. Students will also demonstrate safe operation of radiography equipment and appropriate use of radiographs in the dental field.

Hours: 90
Course Code: DENAST-1125
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1125 Dental Radiography
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Dental Office Management

In this course students gain knowledge and practical experiences related to basic dental reception. Students develop competencies in patient and office communications, appointment control, recall systems, patient accounts, dental claims, financial records, office corespondence, filing, and supply systems for the dental assisting setting.

Hours: 45
Course Code: DENAST-1130
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1130 Dental Office Management
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Clincial Skills and Procedures

Through this course, students will become competent in the following intra oral skills: application and removal of dental dam and alternate isolation methods, application and removal of matrices and wedges, placement of topical anesthetic, placement of cavity liners and polishing of amalgam restorations. Students will gain knowledge for each skill within the classroom and will then be required to apply that knowledge in a clinical setting by practicing and demonstrating each skill on a dental manikin. Upon proving competency on the manikin each student will be given the opportunity to practice and prove competency in the application of some of these intra oral skills on fellow students.

Hours: 120
Course Code: DENAST-1135
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1135 Clinical Skills and Procedures
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Periodontics

This course provides an overview of periodontal disease,and its effects on general health including the health of the gingiva, and the periodontium. Through a combination of theory and clincial experiences, students will learn about the prevention of periodontal disease processes and factors contibuting to the disease, through understanding its origins in the mouth. Students will also learn about periodontal surgeries, periodontal therapies and the instrumentation involved in these procedures.

Hours: 30
Course Code: DENAST-1140
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1140 Periodontics
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Orthodontics

The orthodontics specialty of dentistry deals with the detection and treatment of irregularities of the teeth, jaws and face. In this course, students will develop skills and knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of orthodontic therapy. Through a combination of theory and clincial experiences, students will learn to prepare and sterilize instruments, prepare the patient for treatment, assist the operator during treatment, and provide post-operative instruction to the patient. Students will also learn to place and remove elastic separators, perform clinical photography, and create cephalometric tracings.

Hours: 30
Course Code: DENAST-1145
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1145 Orthodontics
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Endodontics

This course provides students with the knowledge and skills required to assist with procedures related to the dental specialty of endodontics. Through a combination of theory and clinical experiences, students will learn about various endodontic procedures and the instruments and materials required for them. Students will also learn the techniques necessary for taking acceptable diagnostic endodontic radiographs.

Hours: 30
Course Code: DENAST-1150
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1150 Endodontics
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Prosthodontics

Upon completion of this course students will have a working knowledge and clinical skills related to assisting with fixed and removable prosthodontic procedures and the materials associated with these procedures. During this course students will also become competent in the construction of custom impression trays, mouthguards, whitening trays, baseplates and occlusal rims using a variety of materials and lab equipment. Safe use and maintenance of dental lab equipment will also be of primary focus during this course.

Hours: 90
Course Code: DENAST-1155
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1155 Prosthodontics
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Preventative Patient Care Procedures

Through a combination of theory and clinical experiences students will gain the knowledge and skills to provide patient care in specific areas such as vital whitening techniques, enamel sealants, desensitizing agents, anticariogenic agents, and coronal polish.

Hours: 90
Course Code: DENAST-1160
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1160 Preventative Patient Care Procedures
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Pharmacology, Emergency Treatment and Special Needs

In this course students will gain a basic understanding of specific patient assessment and procedures related to health history, vital signs, and prescription drugs and how to incorporate this information into patient treatment. Students will also gain competencies in preparing and handling emergencies and managing special needs patients in the dental setting.

Hours: 30
Course Code: DENAST-1165
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1165 Pharmacology,Emergency Treatment and Special Needs
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Nutrition

Students will gain knowledge in the effectiveness of a preventive program that relies not only on client self-care but also on the dental assistant?s ability to educate and support patients to achieve and maintain dental health. Students will learn about the importance of the interrelationships of nutrition to oral health and disease in order to assist dental patients in achieving optimum oral and general health.

Hours: 30
Course Code: DENAST-1175
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1175 Nutrition
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Oral Surgery

Upon successful completion of this course the student will have the knowledge and skills to assist in oral surgical procedures, including implantology. Students will be able to recognize and understand abnormal pathological conditions within the mouth. Throughout this course the students will gain experience in identifying, preparing and handling specialized instruments used in oral surgery. Students will also become competent in the national core intra oral skill of suture removal.

Hours: 30
Course Code: DENAST-1180
Detailed Course Outline: DENAST-1180 Oral Surgery
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Profile Facts
Start Date:	February 2013
Length:	14 months
Location:	Charlottetown
Credential Issued:	Diploma, Dental Assistant Level II

Graduate Opportunities

Private dental offices
Provincial dental offices
Hospitals
Dental assisting schools
Dental schools
US Federal Student Aid - Gainful Employment Disclosure

Employment opportunities for graduates exist not only in Atlantic Canada but also throughout other parts of Canada.

Admission Requirements

Grade 12 or equivalent with credits at or above the general level
Academic Grade 12 English (minimum 65%) and academic Grade 11 or 12 Biology (minimum 65%)
Typing skills, working knowledge of a keyboard
Computer skills considered an asset
Resumé including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program.
Current CPR - Basic rescuer Level C and a Standard First Aid certificate from a recognized First Aid/CPR Trainer.
Immunization Form

It is highly recommended that applicants to the Dental Assisting program observe in a general practice dental office for at least one day prior to attending this course.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition
Year 1	$5,500
View a full breakdown of costs and booklist for this program.

Contact

If you have any questions concerning the Dental Assisting program, contact:

Ruth Thorne - (902) 566-9670
Health & Community Studies Office (902) 566-9564

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