The student will be able to:

Dental Assisting Theory and Practice

1. Demonstrate effective oral and written teaching techniques to engage patients from across the lifespan in diverse dental practice settings.
2. Explain the process of dental decay and periodontal disease and prevention using language and techniques that are patient-centered.
3. Demonstrate multiple methods of toothbrushing and interdental cleaning techniques that are customized to meet the unique oral health needs of the patient. Identify appropriate oral hygiene aids for patients with restorative and prosthetic devices, addressing unique care requirements.
4. Describe the various types of anti-cariogenic agents used in dentistry, focusing on their effectiveness across different patient demographics.
5. Explain the pros, cons, and systemic effects of the various types of fluoride used for dental disease prevention to aid patient decision-making.
6. Explain the importance of nutritional analysis in preventing tooth decay, utilizing accessible dietary guidance for all patients.
7. Describe the components of caries risk assessment and management systems, to support patient care and decision making process.

Dental Assisting Program Competencies

1. Demonstrate competency in applying dental assisting theory and patient-centered care to individuals across the lifespan.

Infection Control and Hazardous Waste Management

1. Demonstrate safe practices to prevent cross-contamination while delivering oral hygiene instructions to patients.
2. Apply knowledge and skills to prevent disease transmission, ensuring patient and provider safety.

Ethical and Legal Principles

1. Demonstrate inclusive chairside instruction methods that effectively reach patients from varied educational and socioeconomic backgrounds.
2. Document oral health education services provided accurately in treatment records, ensuring ethical standards are met.
3. Demonstrate understanding of ethical and legal principles to support safe and equitable oral health care in the dental setting.

Dental Assisting Theory and Practice

1. Oral and written teaching-learning processes used in motivating the dental patient
   1. Motivation
      1. Intrinsic
      2. Extrinsic
      3. Barriers to dental health
      4. Health Belief Model
      5. Social Cognitive Model
      6. Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change
      7. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
   2. Health literacy​
      1. Reading literacy
      2. Understanding health information
      3. Confirming understanding
         1. Teach back method
   3. Learning ladder
      1. Direct observation
      2. Demonstration
      3. Immediate feedback
      4. Positive reinforcement
      5. Evaluation and follow-up
   4. ​Learning styles
      1. Sequential
      2. Precise
      3. Technical
      4. Confluent
      5. Visual
      6. Tactile
      7. Auditory
   5. Adapting teaching methods based on age
      1. Children and their parents
      2. Adults
      3. Elderly
2. Written teaching-learning processes used in motivating the dental patient
   1. Pamphlet on an oral hygiene aid
      1. Indications
      2. Contraindications
      3. Instructions for use
      4. Literacy level
   2. Nutrition analysis
      1. Interpreting 24 hour dietary analysis
3. Cultural Influence
   1. Cultural beliefs
   2. Health perceptions
   3. Dietary habits
   4. Access to dental care
   5. Health disparities
4. Process of dental decay and the methods of prevention
   1. Caries process
   2. Plaque control theory
   3. Use of disclosing agents
5. Periodontal disease and the methods of prevention
   1. Gingivitis
   2. Periodontitis
   3. Plaque control theory
   4. Use of disclosing agents
   5. Prescription and over-the-counter antimicrobial agents
6. Formation of soft and hard deposits on the tooth surfaces
   1. Dental pellicle
   2. Dental plaque
   3. Calculus
7. Accepted methods of tooth brushing
   1. Manual toothbrushes
   2. Powered toothbrushes
   3. Brushing techniques
8. Accepted methods of interdental aids or other oral hygiene techniques
   1. Dental floss
   2. Tongue cleaners
   3. Interdental brushes
   4. Rubber tip stimulator/Stimudents/Perio-Aid
   5. Oral irrigation
   6. End tuft toothbrush
   7. Orthodontic brush
9. Clinical adaptations of interdental cleaning and brushing techniques
   1. Children
   2. Older adults
   3. Patients with developmental disabilities
      1. Intellectual
      2. Physical
   4. Physically challenged
10. Oral hygiene aids for restorative and prosthetic restorations
    1. Superfloss
    2. Gauze/yarn
    3. Floss threaders
    4. Floss devices
    5. Denture brush
    6. Partial and denture care
11. Anti-cariogenic agents used in dentistry
    1. Fluoride
       1. Professionally applied products
       2. Prescription products
       3. Over the counter products
          1. Toothpastes
          2. Mouthrinses
       4. Water fluoridation
          1. Community water supply
          2. Well water
    2. Advantages and disadvantages of various delivery systems
       1. Systemic effects
       2. Recommended dosages
12. Nutritional analysis in relationship to tooth decay
    1. Dietary sources that promote tooth decay
    2. Relationship of bacteria to tooth decay
13. Describe caries risk assessment management system
    1. Saliva and bacterial testing
    2. Caries risk assessment form
    3. Determining caries risk
    4. Preventive procedures
14. Xerostomia
    1. Induced by medication
       1. Over the counter medications
       2. Prescription medications
    2. Health conditions
       1. Diabetes
       2. Stroke
       3. Alzheimer's disease
       4. Sjogren's syndrome
    3. Personal habits
       1. Mouth breathing
       2. Snoring
    4. Radiation treatment

Infection Control and Hazardous Waste Management

1. Infection control and oral hygiene instruction
   1. Personal protective equipment
   2. Patient instruction

Ethical and Legal Principles

1. Appropriate documentation of oral health education services
   1. Treatment record notes
   2. Documentation
   3. Risk management

Not applicable.

Midterm (1)
Final exam (1)
Brushing/interdental cleaning self-assessment and reflection
Dietary analysis
Online continuing education courses (10)
Supplemental aid presentation and report

Lecture
Discussion
Cooperative learning exercises
Oral presentations
Demonstration

Bird, D.L., and D.S. Robinson. Modern Dental Assisting, 14th ed.. 2023.

1. Supplemental aid report
2. Online continuing education courses
3. Attend a dental health fair and submit a paper following the fair
4. Maintain a reflection journal
5. Brushing and interdental cleaning self assessment