Communication and Behavior in the Dental Office Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

DNTA-1102-001 Communication and Behavior in the Dental Office

Prerequisites

Course Description

The study of human interaction and communication in the dental office.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(1 sem hr; 1 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required textbook:  E* BOOK Modern Dental Assisting, 11th ED     Authors: Bird/Robinson   Publisher    evolve/elseiver

Required student workbook to accompany the above text

 Patient Assessment Tutorials  3rd ED  Authors:  Neild-Gehrig?Willmann   Publisher: Wolters/Kluwer

Additional modules given in class

Supplies

Proper Clinical attire, all PPE

Student Performance

Students are expected to arrive on time and be prepared to fully participate in class activities including role play and leadership assignments.

Given the course textbook, personal notes, additional handouts and information obtained from various guest speakers, the student should:

1.    Learn technical terminology, facts, theories and principals associated with the importance of proper communication within a dental office.

2.    Apply this knowledge to a dental office setting

3.    Evaluate the learning experience from the perspective of the specific course outcomes

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1.    Explain ethics, including sources for ethics, basic principles of ethics AND why continuing education is an important obligation for dental assistants

2.    Discuss the American Dental Assistants Code of Ethics

3.    Describe the steps in making ethical decisions

4.    Explain why it is important to understand human behavior

5.    Understand the differences between verbal and nonverbal communication

6.    Discuss communicating with patients, including meeting patient needs

8.    Explain the importance  of a patient record, it's LEGAL significance and how the dentist uses the record to manage patient treatment

9.   Discuss patient forms, including:   Electronic records, medical and dental histories, new patient information

10.  Explain the standards and criteria for entering data into a clinical record

PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES

1.   With the class, develop a "class" code of ethics that will be abided by for this school year

2.   Solve case studies that involve an ethic dilemma

7.    Create and maintain a fictitious  "New Patient" chart with all the required forms completed

8.    Demonstrate how to correct entries on your fictitious patient record

 

 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Professional Standards

For maximum learning to occur, the student is expected to demonstrate professional conduct and judgment at all times. A violation of professional or ethical standard may result in a zero for the day as well as the student being sent home with an absence. The following are examples which are considered professional standards. These are representative examples and may not be all inclusive.

1. Student is prompt to class.

2. Student is prepared for class sessions.

3. Student assumes responsibility for his/her own learning.

4. Student is concerned with excellence in learning rather than just meeting the minimal criteria.

5. Student applies lecture material in the clinical setting.

6. Student will seek faculty assistance if needed, and will monitor their own progress in meeting course requirements.

7. Student maintains his/her composure, dealing with conflict in a constructive way.

8. Student exhibits an attitude  of respect for classmates, faculty, and staff.

9. Student will not be disruptive or talk to each other during lectures, slide presentations, guest lectures, etc. Should this occur, the student will be asked to leave the classroom immediately.

Failure to adhere to the above standards, will result in remediation and be reflected in the grade for the course in which the inappropriate conduct is displayed. 

Infection Control

“The Dental Assisting Program is committed to utilizing the most current research and technology to maintain an infection control program that is practical while meeting regulatory requirements. The policy for infection control procedures must be followed in strict compliance for the protection of patients, students, faculty, and staff from the transmission of disease or the spread of blood borne pathogens. All dental assisting students, faculty, and staff have the responsibility and ethical duty to comply with the infection control procedures".

 A high standard of conduct is expected of all Amarillo College Students. The student Code of Conduct is defined in the Amarillo College Students Rights and Responsibilities publication. This conduct may be located online at Amarillo Colleges main web page    www.actx.edu   click, catalog, then click "notices to students"

"Amarillo College expects a high standard of conduct from it's students. Students are expected to comply with the law, respect proper constitutional authority, obey College policies, rules and regulations. Unacceptable conduct is defined as an action or behavior that is contrary to the best interest of a fellow student of students, the faculty or staff, the College, or the teaching/learning process. Students failing to  perform according to established standards may be subject to disciplinary action. Policies, standards, rules, and regulations apply to students attending College activities whether the activity takes place on or off campus.

Each student shall be responsible for becoming knowledgeable of the contents and provisions of College policies, rules and regulations concerning student conduct .  In some cases, individual programs may have approved policies for student conduct which also apply to student conduct in those programs."

ACADEMIC GRIEVANCES

A student who has a grievance concerning an academic course in which he or she is enrolled is directed to appeal in the following order:  (1) Instructor  (2)  Program Director  (3)  Dean of Health Sciences Division  (4)  Vice President of Academic Affairs and  (5) College President

 

 

 

Grading Criteria

This grade table will be used for all Dental Assisting courses:

A = 93 TO 100
B = 83-92
C = 75-82
F = Below 75

Major Exams =    30%
Discussion leader = 20%
Ethic Modules completed in class & Guest speakers = 30%
Final paper = 20%

This course will have 3 major written exams. The exams may consist of multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching and critical thinking questions.   The student will also be responsible for leading two separate discussions in class that pertain to opening dialog between a patient and the assistant . Assigned "modules" covering teamwork, attendance, appearance, attitude, productivity, respect and organizational skills. Also we may guest speakers in which you will write a short paper covering their discussion.

The final will be a paper, created on the computer and printed using  Ariel, Times New Roman, or a similar easy to read font in size 11 or 12.  It will be a reflective paper covering all the topics discussed and any information given to you by any guest speakers we may have.

ANY STUDENT THAT HAS AN AVERAGE BELOW 75% WILL BE ASSIGNED TO AN ADVISOR FOR SKILL BUILDING IN COMMUNICATION AND BEHAVIOR TECHNIQUES FOR THE DENTAL OFFICE.

Attendance

\ Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class". Due to the amount of information contained in this course, the student who plans to succeed should attend all course sessions regulary and promptly. The student will need to come to class on time, fully prepared for that session, with the necessary materials."  There may be times when it is impossible to attend class due to illness or an emergency, but this course covers so much information in class that an absence can get the student behind and thus, miss some vital questions on an exam. In order to be fair, there is no distinction between an excused or unexcused absence. You may have up to 3 (three) absences in this class without affecting your grade. The 4th (fourth) absence will reduce the overall grade by 10 points. Missing 5 class periods is equal to missing 1/3rd of the semester and thus, 1/3rd of the vital skills for your chosen profession.

Calendar

Additional Information

\ It is a priveledge to have cell phones and this course will adhere to the guidelines stated in the dental assisting pre-clinical manual.

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\ We practice patient records in this course and will strictly follow established HIPAA regulations regarding the use and sharing of private information on patients, fellow classmates and others that we may have information for.