Chairside Assisting Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Disability Statement

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

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Course

DNTA-1315-001 Chairside Assisting

Prerequisites

Course Description

A study of pre-clinical chairside assisting procedures, instrumentation, OSHA and other regulatory agencies' standards.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 2 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required textbook: E* BOOK  Modern dental Assisting, 11th ED

Required students workbook to accompany the above textbook

Supplemental instrument identification book (given in class, shared by groups)

Students may receive high lite notes from the instructor . These high lites are NOT to be used as the sole source of study materials for this course. The successful student will use the book, handouts, guest lecture notes, supplemental reading, lab materials/lab skills, and any other pertinent materials to pass this course.

Supplies

Textbook, workbook, lab kit and proper clinical attaire

Student Performance

Given the course textbook, personal notes, and handouts, the student should:
    1.   Learn technical terminology, facts, theories and principals associated with the various dental specialties.

    2.   Apply knowledge learned in class to concrete or particular situations in a dental office setting.

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

   

             Learning Outcomes

1.   List and describe various surfaces in a dental office and describe AND demonstrate the proper methods used to clean, disinfect and   protect those surfaces

2.   Name types of items that are "single-use" and properly dispose of those items

3.   Identify items that may either be single use or reusable

4.   Explain the difference between disinfection and sterilization

5.   Explain the difference between a disinfectant and an antiseptic

6.   Name the government agency that regulates dental office disinfectants

7.   Describe the role of the CDC in disinfecting methods

8.   Discuss and demonstrate the seven steps involved in processing dental instruments

9.   Describe the three most common methods of heat sterilization AND list the advantages/disadvantages to each method

10.   Explain the differences between process indicators and integrators

11.   Explain how sterilizer failures can happen

12.   Describe the three forms of sterilization monitoring

13.   Explain the limitations of liquid chemical sterilants

14.   Describe the classifications of various dental instruments to determine the type of processing necessary

15.   Explain the purpose of a holding solution

16.   Describe the roles(s) of the FDA, EPA, CDC, OSHA ADA, NIOSH in infection control measures used in dentistry

17.   Describe potential long-term and short-term effects of exposure to chemicals

18.   Explain the purpose of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard

19.   Describe the three common methods of chemical exposure

20.   Describe the difference between acute and chronic exposure

21.   Explain the purpose of SDS AND be able to identify critical information on the sheets

22.   Describe proper storage of chemicals

23.   Identify types of regulated waste generated by the dental office

24.   Explain why dental unit waterlines contain more bacteria than faucets

25.   List the factors involved in bacterial contamination of dental unit waterlines

26.   List and describe the examination and diagnostic techniques used for patient assessment

27.   List the six categories of Blacks classification of cavities

28.   Explain anatomic and geometric charting methods and the use of color coding

29.  Discuss the use of and demonstrate the use of a defibrillator

30.   Describe common signs and symptoms of emergency and how to recognize the

31.   Describe the roles played by the office team during an emergency

32.   List the basic items in an emergency kit

33.    Discuss rinsing the oral cavity including the use of the air/water syringe

34.    List/describe various isolation techniques

35.    Discuss the importance of keeping the field of vision clean and dry for the operator and the assistant

36.    List the equipment and supplies necessary for use of the dental dam

37.     Describe the rationale for immunizations

38. Describe First Aide following exposure incident
39. Explain advantages/disadvantages for alcohol rubs
40. Explain the various types of latex allergies

 

PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES

1.    Demonstrate the process of pre-cleaning and disinfecting a contaminated treatment room

2.    Demonstrate the proper use of barriers in setting up a treatment room for various procedures

3.    Demonstrate the proper steps in pre-cleaning contaminated dental instruments

4.    Demonstrate safety guidelines and precautions in using the ultrasonic cleaner, holding solutions, heat sterilizers and contaminated instruments

5.    Demonstrate CDC guidelines for preparing and packaging dental instruments for sterilization

6.    Demonstrate methods used to reduce bacteria in the Dental Unit Waterlines

7.    Demonstrate the role of the dental assistant in the clinical examination

8.   Take intra and extra- oral photographs of a manikin and patient

9.    Chart the oral cavity including existing conditions, restorations and assist in treatment planning

10.    Chart patient periodontal condition performed by hygienist or dentist

11.    Perform various grasps and positioning of the High Volume Evacuator during a procedure on manikins/classmates/patient

12.    Perform a limited- area and full - mouth rinse

13.    Place cotton rolls and dry angels for isolation

14.    Prepare, place and remove the dental dam on manikin

15.    Prepare the set-up for various classes of restorations.. ie.,, Class I, II, II, ect.

16.    Assemble Matrix retainer, bands and wedges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Quizzes           15%
Chapter exams            30%
Demonstrative Competencies         30%
Final        25%

All dental assisting course will follow this grading scale:

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

This course will have 6 exams, 4 quizzes, and 5 demonstrative competencies and 1 comprehensive final.  ALL infection control competency demos MUST be at 100%, all other competency areas (soft tissue exams, charting, etc) must be at least at 85% rating.

In order to be fair to students who are present and perform the required tasks and because of time restraints, most missed work, especially lab and clinical work can not be made up. Lab and clinical assignments involve the use of a partner. Without you they can not perform their assignments.

Tutoring and skill building are required for students failing exams and scoring below an 85 average on ANY required hands on skill. 

Missed written exams maybe made up on the designated "make-up" days. These dates will be given at the start of the class. In order to be fair to the students who take the exam at the scheduled time, make-up exams will lose 5% of their original value. Please note that make-up exams are most often one to five essay type questions.

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 fourth (4th) 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.
 

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