The Foothill College Dental Assisting Program is competency-based. Students taking this course will demonstrate their proficiency in the two program competency-based statements through practical application and presentation of outcomes.

1. Dental Assisting Theory and Practice Competency: Dental assisting students must be competent in applying the theory and practice of dental assisting for persons across the lifespan from a wide range of socioeconomic groups.
2. Ethical and Legal Principles Competency: Dental assisting students must be competent in applying ethical and legal principles to dental practice.

The student will be able to:

1. ​​​Dental Assisting Theory and Practice Competency
   1. ​Describe the evolution of the dental profession and its sociologic concerns.
   2. Describe the dental auxiliaries involved in the practice of dentistry and the educational requirements for each auxiliary.
   3. Demonstrate effective and appropriate person-centered, compassionate communication methods when interacting with other dental professionals, patients, and families.
   4. Demonstrate the ability to self-reflect and identify one's learning style to create effective study skills.
2. ​Ethical and Legal Principles Competency
   1. ​Demonstrate understanding and compliance with the Dental Assisting Program policies and the Academic Honor Code of Foothill College.
   2. Demonstrate an understanding of the HIPAA requirements and patient privacy.
   3. Describe the regulatory authority of the California Dental Practice over dentists and dental auxiliaries.
   4. Describe in general the duties performed by the dentist and the dental auxiliaries.
   5. Identify the professional and legal requirements for:
      1. ​Licensing and certification
      2. License renewal and certification
      3. The practice of expanded duties and extended function
   6. ​Demonstrate appropriate record-keeping and risk management activities to avoid malpractice and liability.

1. History of dentistry
   1. Timeline
   2. Dental professional contributors
2. Overview of the dental profession
   1. Professional and educational responsibilities
      1. State or regional licensing/credentialing
   2. The role of the auxiliary in dentistry
      1. Assistant, hygienist, laboratory technician
      2. Career alternatives, including extended functions licensing
      3. Educational requirements for auxiliaries
   3. Licensing/certification
      1. Maintaining license and re-certification
   4. Professional organizations for dentists and auxiliaries
3. Strategies for communication with dental staff, patients, and patient family members
4. Student learning styles and study skills
   1. Study skills for success in the dental assisting program
5. Academic Honor Code of Foothill College
   1. Cheating, plagiarism, and other examples of academic dishonesty
   2. Consequences of academic dishonesty
6. HIPAA and patient privacy
   1. Regulations related to patient privacy at dental school and clinical rotations
   2. Security of patient records in the dental office
   3. Implications for the dental assisting student
   4. Social media issues related to patient privacy regulations at the dental school and clinical rotations
7. State Practice Act
   1. Purpose
   2. Regulatory bodies
      1. Dental Board of California
      2. Dental Hygiene Board of California
8. Duties
   1. DA and RDA duties defined in the California Dental Practice Act
      1. General supervision
      2. Direct supervision
      3. Supervision to be determined by the dentist
9. Professional and legal requirements
   1. Licensing and certification
      1. Dental Board of California: Registered Dental Assistant
      2. Dental Assisting National Board: Certified Dental Assistant
   2. Renewal of license/certificate
      1. Continuing education requirements
      2. BLS certificate/renewal
      3. Mandatory infection control course
      4. Mandatory dental practice act course
10. Record keeping and risk management
    1. Accurate documentation
    2. Effective communication
    3. Patient advocate

Not applicable.

Quizzes
Examinations
Assignments

Online lecture, online continuing education short courses
Chapter readings from textbook
Online discussion forum

Bird, D.L., and D.S. Robinson. Modern Dental Assisting, 13th ed. (ISBN: 978-0-323-624855). 2021.

Foothill College Dental Assisting Student Policy Manual. 2024.

1. Chapter readings from textbook
2. Self introduction posted online
3. Stress management discussion
4. Learning styles discussion
5. Dentalcare.com online supplemental reading