LINN-BENTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DENTAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM
Student Handbook
2013-2014
Dental Assistant Handbook
Table of Contents
Directory/Index 1- 5
Philosophy of Dental Assisting 5-6
Educational Objectives 6
Outcomes Assessment 7
Course Information and Guidelines 8
Dental Assistant Program of Study 9
Standard of Evaluation: 10
Grading Scale 11
Problem Solving Plan 11
Student Testing Policy 11
Make-up Testing Policy 12
Cheating 12
Late Assignments 12
Tardiness Policy 12
XXX
Class Attendance Policy 13
Clinic/Lab Attendance 13
Dental Link Clinical Attendance 13
Automatic Dismissal…………………………………………………………………..13
Cell Phone Policy…………………………………………………………………………...…14
DA Skills Lab Policies 14
Holiday Closures 14
Program Expense Estimation 15
National Exam Fee Estimations. ... 16
Student Organizations 17
ODAA Student Membership 17
Part-Time Employment at a Dental Care Facility 17
Special Support and Tutoring 17
Self-Help Study Groups 18
Graduation. 18
Work Plans: Contracts for Dental Assisting Students 19-20
Placing a Student on a Work Plan 19-20
Removing a Student from a Work Plan 20
Instructor Initiated Termination. 21
Instructor Temporary Exclusion 21-22
Voluntary Exit Procedure 22-23
Re-Entry to the Dental Assistant Program 23
Ethics and Professional Conduct 24
Office Standards of Professionalism 25
Unprofessional Conduct 26
Substance Abuse 26
Professional Standards Expectations Contract 27-29
School Closure Policy 30
CLINICAL:
Uniform Requirements 31
Uniform Code and Health and Safety Grooming Standards 32
Room Policies 33
Student Observation/Participation Hours 34
Work Experience Policy 34
Uniform Requirement for Community Dental Offices 35
Grooming Requirements for Community Dental Offices 35
LBCC’s Civil Rights Compliance Policy 36
Dental Assisting Policy on Nondiscrimination 37
A. Policies and Attachments:
Dental Assisting Student Liability Waiver:
Risks Hazards Associated with Dental Assisting at LBCC…………………….38
Dental Materials Laboratory Index .……….……………………………………….39
Dental Materials Laboratory Policy ..…………………………..………40-43
Radiation Health & Safety Index…………………………………………………….44
Radiation Health & Safety Policy…………………………………………45-51
Radiology Quality Assurance Plan…………….………………………….51-55
Policies & Procedures for Infectious Disease…………………………………….56-61
Managing Hazardous Materials Policy…..……………………………………….…62
Emergency Management Policy…………………………………………………..63-64
B. American Dental Association:
Solicitation of Complaints ……………………………………………….…………...65
Third Party Comment Policy ....…………………………………………………….. 66
C. Student Handbook Policy Contract……………………………………..…………67-68
D. Laws Regulating the Practice of Dental Assisting ………………………….…… 69-76
Oregon Dental Practice Act: Division 42- Auxiliary Personnel……………….. 70-79
PHILOSOPHY OF DENTAL ASSISTING
We, the Dental Assisting faculty assume the responsibility for providing a technical dental assisting curriculum consistent with the purposes and objectives of LBCC.
We believe that dental assisting provides an essential, direct service to society. We believe that dental assisting is an art and a science wherein, the dental assistant assists an individual, regardless of gender, creed, color or culture in the performance of those activities that contribute to sound dental health and its recovery.
The dental assistant provides knowledge to an individual who is capable of understanding basic dental needs. The dental assistant gives this assistance in a way to help the individual gain knowledge and motivation about dentistry and dental care.
Teaching/Learning Roles:
The dental assisting faculty of Linn-Benton Community College believes that education is an interactive process in which the learner and teacher participate and accept responsibilities within this model:
The faculty accepts the responsibility to:
Provide a safe, caring, positive learning environment based on relationships between students and instructors.
Clarify expectations by providing objectives.
Assist students to identify learning needs/offer opportunities to meet objectives in a variety of learning experiences.
Design learning experiences that encourage active participation.
Offer evaluation methods to assure that professional standards are met.
Maintain competency within the profession. Continue as lifelong learners and co-learners with students.
The learner accepts the responsibility for:
Maintaining an open mind, a willingness to be flexible in learning and tolerating a variety of points of view. To withhold personal judgments in order to apply principles of critical thinking and decision making.
Using all available school and community resources to achieve learning.
Continuing Education - this curriculum is the foundation of a technical education that is ever changing. Continuing education is a key element in success as a lifelong learner.
Maintaining competency in order to accept increasing dental assisting responsibility as a student.
Go beyond memorizing an accumulation of information to application, questioning and reflecting, in the learning process.
EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT: OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the LBCC Dental Assistant Program, the graduate will be able to become a:
A. Provider of care by:
Selecting and effectively using verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills.
Teaching and interpreting dental health information specific to the dental
patient's level of development, knowledge and learning needs.
Performing dental assisting skills in a manner that protects physical and psychological safety.
B. Manager of care by:
Collaborating with other members of the health care team functioning as an advocate of the dental client.
Identifying situations and participating with others to facilitate change in the dental care setting.
C. Member of the profession by:
Practicing with-in the ethical and legal standards of dental assisting.
Practicing caring behaviors.
Use self-evaluation and constructive criticism to facilitate personal and professional growth.
OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT
Ninety-nine percent of LBCC's dental assistant student graduates will pass the ICE, CDA, and the Dental Radiation Health and Safety written and clinical examinations.
Confirmation: An annual review of the ICE, CDA, and the Dental Radiation Health and Safety written and clinical examination scores of graduates confirm that LBCC students have scored in the top #1 in the nation since 1997.
Ninety-five percent of the graduates who past the national exams and actively seek jobs will find employment within one year of graduation.
Confirmation: A Follow-up Survey six months after graduation.
The library collection will be current, with texts no older than eight years. The holdings will include a variety of books, journals, videos, and slides in chairside dental assisting, pedodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, dental implants, fixed and removal prosthesis, expanded duties, dental materials, radiology, orthodontics, periodontics, history of dental assisting, and dental health care rules and regulations.
Confirmation: An annual review of library books/subscriptions.
The dental assistant department has computer loaded with dental terminology, materials, dental anatomy, dental office records and clinical information available for student practice and learning.
Confirmation: Dental faculty review and rate technical needs of the program each year.
Local employers demonstrate satisfaction with graduates from the LBCC dental assistant program.
Confirmation: Employers' satisfaction surveys and advisory board reports.
Dental Assisting faculty has college-wide influence.
Confirmation: An annual review of college appointments.
COURSE INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES
Dental Assisting Education Learning Process:
Education for the dental assistant is an institution of learning that enables the student to realize their potential as an individual, citizen, and technician in dental assisting. We believe that learning is a complex active process of growth and development which proceeds from the unknown to the known and the simple to the complex.
Learning can be identified by changes in the behavior of the learner which allows the individual more effective control over the condition of the experience.
The Dental Assistant Program is based on an integrated learning system. "Objectives" or "goals" describe what you must learn. In addition, technical skills will be objectively evaluated by instructors. Simultaneously, dental theory and clinical practice provide a meaningful learning experience.
Learning is an individualized, cognitive multi-sensory process and occurs according to the readiness of the learner. Learning requires an environment that provides stimulating diverse experiences.
Each student learns at their own rate and differs in their motivation for learning, scholastic aptitude, personal background, and in their ability to process and to learn.
We believe that the educational process should provide for the student's individual needs.
All students are ultimately responsible for their own learning and should be self-directive in their own approach to learning. Active involvement allows the student to learn through their own reactions to situations.
Student learning can be identified in the student's change in behavior.
DENTAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM OF STUDY
Program Prerequisites:
Dental Assistant applicants must: (1) have application and transcripts on file in the Admissions Office; (2) Previous college academic performance and/or standardized national scholastic tests/high school class rank/cumulative grade point averages in previous education with particular attention given to grades in science; (3) complete LBCC’s CPT Test; (4) receive a CPT score placing into RD 120 or higher OR successfully complete RD 115 Effective College Reading; and placing into WR 121 or higher OR successfully completing WR 115 (5) complete MTH 20 or placing into MTH 60 or higher (6) attend an orientation session; (7) if accepted, have a negative tuberculin test on file prior to the first class, as physical examination with evidence of good physical health and proof of immunization against Measles and Hepatitis B.
Fall Course and Title: Total Credits:
DA5.494 Introduction to Dentistry 3
DA5.461 Dental Radiology I 3
DA5.484 Dental Materials I 3
DA5.500 Oral Anatomy and Histology 2
DA5.501 Dental Infection Control & Sterilization 2
DA5.502 Basic Science for Dentistry 2
15
Winter Course and Title:
DA5.495 Clinical Practice II 4
DA5.462 Dental Radiology II 3
DA5.485 Dental Materials II 3
DA5.488 Expanded Duties I 3
13
Spring Course and Title:
DA5.463 Dental Radiology III Lab 1
DA5.498 Expanded Duties II 2
DA5.497 Dental Health Education and Nutrition 2
DA5.496 Dental Specialties 2
DA5.453 Dental Pathology 2
DA5.491 Dental Office Records and Emergencies 2
DA5.550 Human Relations in Dentistry 2 13
Summer Course and Title:
DA5.510 Office Practicum 8
DA5.515 Office Practicum Seminar 2
10
Total Dental Assistant Program Credits: 51
STANDARDS OF EVALUATION
Grades:
We believe that retention of dental assisting knowledge is significant. Most of the finals are comprehensive and weighted. The main style of theory evaluation will be multiple choice.
Faculty may select the style of evaluation that is appropriate to that course content.
Testing will move from simple recall during the first term to more complex synthesis during the course of the program.
Writing skills are important and students will have the opportunity to be evaluated on these skills. Special projects may be assigned to accomplish course goals.
The demands of the dental assistant program include academic performance. Attendance is expected in all classes and lab assignments. In order to remain in the program, dental assistant students must maintain a "C" -72% in the didactic segment of each course and the lab segment as required for the dental assistant program.
The student will achieve a minimum of 2.0grade point average in all supportive/required courses. Dental assistant program courses are taken in sequence as listed on the previous page. All course work must be completed with "C" or above before entering the next term. The final grade for the dental assistant course will be based upon a combination of written examinations, course assignments, clinical lab experience, and clinical/lab evaluation check-off modules. Students must complete a course with a "C" in both the didactic and laboratory or clinical settings. If the student fails to meet the program standards, the student must drop out of the sequence in the dental assistant program. A readmission agreement may be written to return the following year contingent upon space availability.
Student performance in the clinical/lab domain is as important as academic achievement. The clinical/lab experiences are 25 - 50 percent of the student's final grade for all courses that contain a lab segment. Students must pass the didactic and lab segments with a 72% or more for each section.
Evaluation of the student in the lab experience is based on self/ peer evaluations, and instructor performance objective sheets.
Priorities in clinical evaluations are: clinical skill level, safety techniques, asepsis, infection control, organization, communication, attendance, professional attitude, behavior, appearance, and ability to work as an effective team member.
**** If an extra credit question is on an exam, credit is only offered to students taking the test at the regularly scheduled class period.
Grading Scale:
Evaluations will be graded on the following scale:
92 - 100 = A
82 - 91 = B
72 - 81 = C
65 - 71 = D
Problem Solving Plan:
If a situation between a student and another student or staff member should occur the following protocol will be used:
The student should first present their information to the peer or instructor. If this initial conference does not relieve the situation, then the student may elect to use a problem-solving plan.
Once a problem-solving plan is formed, a student conference will be held as soon as possible, preferably within one week.
If the situation is still unresolved after this conference, the department chair will arrange for a conference with additional administrative staff, as needed.
Please know that when informal resolution is not successful, charges of student misconduct made by faculty, students or staff members may be resolved through the “Dispute Resolution Process” as outlined in the Students’ Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct Policy. The formal “Dispute Resolution Process” may be initiated by filing a complaint with the Dean of Student Services.
Student Testing Policy:
The curriculum is based on the premise that students meeting the objectives will be safe practicing dental assistants.
It is the policy of the LBCC Dental Assistant Department that students complete or surpass the competency level for each objective. Students must be retested on missed objectives so there is assurance that the student has met the required competency level of each objective. Testing may be oral, written, or practical demonstration.
If the student does not successfully meet the objectives by the end of the term the student may be placed on an educational agreement or suspended from the program. A readmission agreement may be written to return the following year contingent upon space availability.
Grades for written examinations will be made available no later than the fifth working day after an examination. Scantron sheets and homework will be placed in the locked file cabinet in the lab. Hours will be posted for specific times to retrieve materials. Post test scores, final exam scores, and grades will not be given out over the telephone.
“MAKE UP” TESTING POLICY
A series of quizzes, a midterm, and final examinations will be given in each class throughout the four terms.
Make-up test policies are as follows: