Module 4 in the Dental Assistant program at Ross Medical Education Center incorporates three courses for the Dental Assistant student. The first of the three courses taught is entitled Dental Law and Ethics. In this course, students are introduced to the legal, ethical, privacy, security, and confidentiality issues in dental health care. Students are taught about their state’s Dental Practice Act and how to apply it to their position. Additionally, students will be given information about the consequences of illegal actions. Morals and ethics and their place in the dental office is discussed. Some of the topics that may be talked through in class could be what ethics are and how Dental Assistants may have to use moral judgement in making a decision in the dental office.
The second of the three courses taught is Dental Materials. In this course, students will receive hands-on training in taking dental impressions for study models and mixing materials for bite registrations. Students are also introduced to mixing dental cements, making a custom tray, pouring dental impressions in plaster and stone, as well as trimming the cast models on the model trimmer. It is a very interactive time for the students with plenty of lab work activity. Proficiencies for this course include mixing permanent cement, alginate impressions, pouring study models, trimming and finishing study models, making a custom stent, and mixing elastomeric impression material.
The third of the three courses taught is Dental Emergencies and CPR. In this course, students will be shown how to identify specific dental emergencies and instructors will explain the role of the Dental Assistant during an emergency. In addition to dental emergency training, students are provided with CPR for the Healthcare Provider training. Students not only receive lecture on the topic, but hands on practice, practicing the skills of one and two rescuer CPR for adults and children. Students also receive instruction and are given hands on practice on how to use an AED. Upon successful completion of the CPR training, students receive a card in Basic Life Support CPR for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association. It is often referred to as BLS CPR. This is a wonderful skill to possess not only on the job as a Dental Assistant, but personally as well.