This course introduces the student to the basic routine of the dental office.

This course provides an introduction to the legal, ethical, privacy, security, and confidentiality issues in dental health care.

In this course, students will be familiarized with basic information abou tthe dental health team.

Students will learn to maintain radiation safety while obtaining the best possible diagnostic quality on dental radiographs. Theory, laboratory skills, and clinical practice meet guidelines necessary for compliance with state regulations for certifying radiographic operators. Students practice techniques of film exposure and mounting in equipped dental operatories with industry‐approved structural and monitoring devices. Students perform exposure techniques, including bitewings, bisecting, and parallel techniques on a patient simulator manikin. Students process film using a fully equipped darkroom or automatic processor. Students are also required to mount processed radiographs and evaluate the diagnostic quality according to established criteria. Students retake nondiagnostic films. They also learn about the professional responsibilities regarding the state radiation safety certificate. Students, in addition learn soft skill strategies to use in the workplace.

This course introduces students to the basic anatomy of the head and teeth in order to familiarize them with the anatomical structures involved in dental radiographs. Students are introduced to related dental terminology.

In this course, students are introduced to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards for infection control and hazard communication. Topics include microbiology, contagious diseases concerning the dental team, universal precautions, barrier techniques and handling hazardous chemicals. Students practice step‐by‐step instrument decontamination using approved sterilization agents and methods. Students learn operatory disinfection using approved agents and methods.

Students will learn about skills performed by the dental assistant in the specialty areas of oral surgery and endodontics (root canals), including procedures for the administration of topical and local anesthetics. Students are instructed on an introduction to methods for taking and recording vital signs and blood pressure. Career development instruction focuses on interview techniques. Students will also study related dental terminology.

This course introduces students to the cranial nerves. They will study cranial anatomy as it relates to anesthesia administration and pain control.

This course introduces students to chair‐side assisting duties and techniques practiced in general dentistry with emphasis on sit‐down, four‐handed dentistry. Properties and manipulation of common dental materials, including amalgam, composites, glass ionomers and sealants, are presented. Basic concepts of psychology and communication are discussed with emphasis on helping dental patients overcome anxieties related to dental treatment. Special consideration for disabled and abused patients is presented. Children's dentistry (pediatric dentistry) as a specialty is presented.

Students learn how to handle and transfer dental instruments and place materials on models. Career development training concentrates on the self‐directed job search. Students also study related dental terminology.

In this course, students will receive hands‐on training in taking impressions and constructing study casts and master casts. Students will be exposed to a variety of impression and gypsum materials and procedures for their use. Students will use the casts to practice dental procedures, such as fabrication of custom trays, stints, and temporary crowns.

Students will learn about prosthodontics as a specialty with instruction in crown and bridge procedures and full and partial dentures. Students will be introduced to dental implants and the various types of mouth guards such as night guards, sports guards, and bleaching trays. Students will learn about laboratory safety and infection control. Instruction in career development focuses on starting a new job. Students will study related dental terminology.

Students will become familiar with records management systems, billing, banking, and insurance processing, and taking case histories and obtaining information for the completion of dental records.

Students will learn about routine office procedures, such as appointment scheduling, filing, mail handling, inventory control and telephone communication. Career development instruction is included and focuses on identifying skills necessary for employment. Students will also gain an understanding of financial literacy.

An introduction to working with dental specialties will be covered, including working in orthodontics and periodontics.

Students will learn to identify specific dental emergencies and explain the role of the dental assistant during an emergency. Career development instruction is included and focuses on identifying skills necessary for employment. Students will also study essential dental terminology, as well as adult, child and infant CPR/AED.

The externship is an extension of classroom training. As with other program coursework, students do not receive compensation by Ross or the site during Externship. During the Externship, students will spend 168 hours off‐site at a dental facility where they will receive hands‐on experience in a dental office, clinic or other dental setting.