Dental Assistant

This course prepares dental auxiliary students to respond proactively to dental emergencies, control infection, prevent disease, adhere to OSHA standards, and safely manage hazardous materials. Students also take patient vital signs and collect patient medical/dental histories. Students will be required to show proof of CPR certification before beginning this course.

In this course, students explore the Gateway Technical College community. They examine college resources and services, investigate skills that lead to academic success, and identify strategies for achieving educational and personal goals.

This course prepares dental assistant students to apply fundamentals of general and dental anatomy to informed decision making and to professional communication with colleagues and patients. This course is equivalent to 508-304 at other WTCS schools.

Students apply skills learned in Dental and General Anatomy, Dental Health Safety, Dental Chairside, Dental Materials, Dental Radiography, and Professionalism in a clinical setting with patients. This course emphasizes integration of core abilities and basic occupational skills.

This course prepares Dental Assistant students for professional success in a dental practice or other dental health care environment. Students develop professional appearance and image. More importantly, they learn to work within ethical guidelines and legal frameworks. In preparation for entering the workforce, students customize or develop their portfolios and lay out an ongoing professional development plan. This course is equivalent to 508-307 at other WTCS schools.

This course prepares dental assistant students to chart oral cavity structures, dental pathology, and restorations to and to assist a dentist with basic dental procedures including examinations, pain control, amalgam restoration, and cosmetic restoration. Students will also develop the ability to educate patients about preventative dentistry, brushing and flossing techniques, and dental procedures, using lay terminology. Throughout the course, students will apply decoding strategies to the correct use and interpretation of dental terminology. This course is equivalent to 508-302 at other WTCS schools.

This course prepares Dental Assistant students to handle and prepare dental materials such as liners, bases, cements, amalgam, resin restorative materials, gypsum products, and impression materials. They also learn to take alginate impressions on manikins and clean removable appliances.

This course prepares Dental Assistant students to operate x-ray units and expose bitewing, periapical, extra oral, and occusal radiographs. Emphasis is placed on protection against x-ray hazards. Students also process, mount, and evaluate radiographs for diagnostic value. In this course, students demonstrate competency on a manikin. In addition, students expose bitewing radiographs on a peer, role-play patient.

Dental Assistant students apply skills developed in Dental Chairside - Advanced, Dental Lab Procedures, Dental Radiography - Advanced, and Dental Office Procedures in a clinical setting with patients that emphasizes integration of core abilities and basic and advanced occupational skills. This course is equivalent to 508-311 at other WTCS schools.

This course prepares Dental Assistant students to adapt chairside skills to assisting with dental specialties as they are performed in general practice. It focuses on pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics. Students will also develop the ability to assist with sealants, perform coronal polishing, and apply topical fluoride and topical anesthetics. This course is the equivalent to 508-308 at other WTCS schools.

This course prepares Dental Assistant students to produce alginate impressions and fabricate diagnostic models, oral appliances, temporary restorations, and custom trays. Students also polish oral appliances. This course is equivalent to 508-309 in other WTCS schools.

This course prepares Dental Assistant students to manage telephones, appointments, recall systems, and inventory. Students also develop the skills needed to process accounts receivable and payable, collections, and third party reimbursements.

This course builds on principles and skills developed in Dental Radiography. Dental Assistant students expose full mouth series, extra-oral, and specialized radiographs on adult and child patients. Emphasis is placed on protection against x-ray hazards. Students will also process, mount, and evaluate radiographs for diagnostic value. In addition, they will use radiographs to explain dental health and treatment plans to patients. This course is the equivalent of 508-310 at other WTCS schools.