DEN 101 Preclinical Procedures

Lecture: 4 Lab: 6 Clinic: 0 Credits: 7

This course provides instruction in procedures for the clinical dental assistant as specified by the North Carolina Dental Practice Act. Emphasis is placed on orientation to the profession, infection control techniques, instruments, related expanded functions, and diagnostic, operative, and specialty procedures. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate proficiency in clinical dental assisting procedures.

This is a diploma-level course.

Pre-requisite(s): Enrollment in the Dental Assisting Program
Co-requisite(s): BIO 163 or BIO 168/BIO 169.
Course is typically offered in Fall.
Course has transfer restrictions - No DEN courses will be transferred in unless student has earned a Dental Assisting Diploma.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
At the completion of the course, the students should be able to do the following:

Identify dental health team members, their educational requirements, roles in the dental practice and professional organizations assessed with written assignments and tests.
Accurately apply principles of patient management and document oral conditions found in the oral cavity assessed through written evaluations.
Apply legal and ethical standards using case based exercises by demonstrating the principles of dental patient assessment and emergency management.
Apply the principles of four-handed dentistry and principles of instrument transfer through mock patient procedures and demonstrations.
Identify armamentarium necessary for examination, operative and specialty procedures assessed through written assignments and tests.
Utilizing role play and demonstration, achieve 80% proficiency of the following task evaluations: - Treatment room preparation - Evaluation of medical history - Performance of vital signs on a peer patient - Maintaining a clear field of operation - Placement of dental dam - Instrument identification.