Health & Personal Services · course plan
⚠ Pending professional review
This course plan, its lessons and its assessments has not yet been verified by a licensed clinician in the field or by a certification or approval body. It is a study draft and may contain errors. Do not use it to make decisions about any patient or medication. Always follow your instructor, your supervising professional, and current official references and regulations.
VoTechWorks program approval and accreditation are still in progress. Credentials are issued only by the certifying bodies named in each program, after their own exams.
Dental Assisting
8 courses · 1,800 clock hours · 9–12 mo full-time. Grading is competency-based: each course requires the written exam, a competent skills demonstration with zero safety faults, a signed log, and a passed safety audit; percentage weights only rank performance above the competency floor.
8courses
67lessons
1,800hours
27assessments
Development progressPlanCourses, lessons and assessments written for this tradeLessons67 of 67 lesson pages writtenPractice536 practice questionsResources124 reference entries (study list)Review0 lesson pages reviewed by a licensed professional
Study now: 67 lesson pages are open (lesson titles below are links).
HLT-DENT40-01 Universal core
Universal Core: Safety, Math, Communication & Career for Dental Assisting
148 hr · $1,185 COMPLIMENTARY
This foundational course equips students entering the Dental Assisting program with the safety certifications, mathematical skills, technical literacy, digital competencies, and professional habits required before any clinical or chairside work begins. Students earn OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification and a hands-on CPR/First Aid card, then apply trade-specific math, document reading, and communication skills to realistic dental office scenarios. The course concludes with career-readiness activities that prepare students to enter the job market as entry-level Certified Dental Assistants.
Outcomes- Complete OSHA 10-Hour General Industry training and demonstrate correct responses to workplace hazard scenarios in a dental office setting.
- Perform and document adult and child CPR plus first-aid interventions to the standard required for current certification.
- Accurately calculate metric measurements, unit conversions, and percentage solutions commonly used in dental materials and infection-control mixing.
- Interpret dental charting symbols, material safety data sheets, procedure codes, and infection-control protocols from standard dental-office documents.
- Use practice-management software, electronic health records, and digital imaging software at a basic navigation level appropriate for an entry-level dental assistant.
- Construct a professional resume, cover letter, and 30-second introduction, and articulate scope-of-practice boundaries and ethical obligations for a dental assistant.
Course text
This foundational course equips students entering the Dental Assisting program with the safety certifications, mathematical skills, technical literacy, digital competencies, and professional habits required before any clinical or chairside work begins. Students earn OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification and a hands-on CPR/First Aid card, then apply trade-specific math, document reading, and communication skills to realistic dental office scenarios. The course concludes with career-readiness activities that prepare students to enter the job market as entry-level Certified Dental Assistants.
How the course runs. 7 blocks: Workplace Safety and OSHA 10 for the Dental Office; CPR, First Aid, and Medical Emergency Response in the Dental Setting; Trade Math: Metrics, Measurement, and Solution Calculations; Technical Reading: Dental Charts, SDS Sheets, and Procedure Documentation; Digital Tools: Practice-Management Software, EHR Navigation, and Digital Imaging Basics; Professional Communication and Patient Interaction; Career Readiness: Resume, Job Search, Scope of Practice, and Professional Ethics.
What competent looks like. Complete OSHA 10-Hour General Industry training and demonstrate correct responses to workplace hazard scenarios in a dental office setting. Perform and document adult and child CPR plus first-aid interventions to the standard required for current certification. Accurately calculate metric measurements, unit conversions, and percentage solutions commonly used in dental materials and infection-control mixing. Interpret dental charting symbols, material safety data sheets, procedure codes, and infection-control protocols from standard dental-office documents. Use practice-management software, electronic health records, and digital imaging software at a basic navigation level appropriate for an entry-level dental assistant. Construct a professional resume, cover letter, and 30-second introduction, and articulate scope-of-practice boundaries and ethical obligations for a dental assistant.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Workplace Safety and OSHA 10 for the Dental Office | 12 | theory | Students will identify and correctly classify dental-office hazards under OSHA standards and complete all modules required for OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification. |
| OSHA 10-Hour General Industry course cards or authorized online platform, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens fact sheet, mock operatory photo set, hazard-identification checklist, OSHA Hazard Communication standard summary handout | Students must pass the OSHA 10 final assessment at the score required by the authorized trainer to receive the card; additionally, the in-class hazard checklist must identify at least 8 of 10 planted violations to pass (80%). |
| 2 | CPR, First Aid, and Medical Emergency Response in the Dental Setting | 16 | practice | Students will perform adult and pediatric CPR with an AED, manage a suspected allergic reaction, and describe the dental assistant's role during common in-office medical emergencies to the standard required for a recognized CPR/First Aid certification. |
| CPR mannequins (adult and infant), AED trainer unit, CPR/First Aid certification course materials from an approved provider, emergency scenario card deck, stopwatch, nitrile gloves, face shields | Students must pass both the written and hands-on skills evaluation required by the chosen CPR/First Aid certification provider to receive their card; scenario checklist must show correct response steps for at least 3 of 4 emergencies to pass. |
| 3 | Trade Math: Metrics, Measurement, and Solution Calculations | 22 | lab | Students will accurately perform metric-to-metric and metric-to-US unit conversions, calculate percentage concentrations for disinfecting solutions, and measure volumes using dental-office equipment within a 5% margin of error. |
| Dental math workbook (instructor-prepared), scientific calculator, graduated cylinders (10 mL and 100 mL), digital gram scale, alginate powder and plaster of Paris (for simulation), measuring cups, timer, dilution problem set, answer key | Students must score 80% or higher on a 25-problem timed math quiz drawn from the workbook topics; lab data sheets must show percent error within 5% for at least 2 of 3 material mixes to pass the lab component. |
| 4 | Technical Reading: Dental Charts, SDS Sheets, and Procedure Documentation | 20 | theory | Students will correctly interpret dental charting symbols, extract required information from Safety Data Sheets, and identify key fields in treatment notes and procedure documentation used in a dental office. |
| Blank and completed dental chart templates (Universal Numbering System), Safety Data Sheets for three common dental products, sample SOAP treatment notes, structured question sets, dental terminology glossary (American Dental Association or standard textbook) | Students must achieve 80% accuracy on chart symbol identification quiz (20 symbols) and correctly extract all four required data fields from at least 2 of 3 SDS sheets; instructor initials completed forms before students move to the next lesson. |
| 5 | Digital Tools: Practice-Management Software, EHR Navigation, and Digital Imaging Basics | 24 | demo | Students will navigate a dental practice-management or EHR training environment to schedule an appointment, locate a patient record, and access a digital radiograph, demonstrating basic digital proficiency required on day one of employment. |
| Computers or tablets with dental practice-management training software installed (e.g., Dentrix Learning Edition or equivalent), sample radiographic image files, step-by-step instruction card, HIPAA summary handout, printer | Students must complete the software task sequence (new patient record, scheduling, image navigation) with no more than two instructor prompts; HIPAA reflection must correctly identify at least three prohibited actions and one corrective behavior to pass. |
| 6 | Professional Communication and Patient Interaction | 26 | practice | Students will demonstrate verbal and written communication skills appropriate to a dental office, including patient-facing language, telephone etiquette, professional email format, and active listening in clinical contexts. |
| Role-play scenario cards, communication rubric, sample patient emails, professional email format guide, sample post-operative instruction sheet (original and rewrite template), Flesch-Kincaid readability reference, computers for email drafting | Role-play scenarios must score at least 80% on the instructor rubric (clarity, empathy, professionalism); email draft must include all required format elements and contain no clinical overstatements; rewritten post-op sheet must be approved by instructor as appropriate for a general adult reading level. |
| 7 | Career Readiness: Resume, Job Search, Scope of Practice, and Professional Ethics | 28 | field | Students will produce a complete professional job-application package, articulate the dental assistant's legal scope of practice in their state, and apply the ADA Principles of Ethics to at least two realistic scenario-based dilemmas. |
| State dental practice act scope-of-practice summary (printed from the state board website), ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct (freely available on ADA.org), resume and cover letter template, job-application rubric, ethics scenario cards, peer-review feedback forms | Scope-of-practice chart must be verified as accurate against the state document by instructor before the lesson ends; resume and cover letter must meet all rubric criteria (formatting, relevant content, no errors) at 80% or above; each ethics response must correctly name the principle and describe a legally and ethically appropriate action—both responses must be approved by instructor to pass. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSHA and Workplace Safety Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 80% correct (40 of 50 questions) | A 50-question multiple-choice and short-answer exam covering OSHA hazard categories, bloodborne pathogen exposure-control concepts, proper PPE selection, chemical labeling requirements, and the dental assistant's role in maintaining a safe clinical environment. Students who score below 80% complete a targeted review and retake an alternate form once within five business days. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Trade Math and Technical Reading Exam | Written exam | 25% | 80% correct (32 of 40 questions) | A 40-question timed exam that tests metric conversions, solution dilution calculations, material mixing ratios, dental chart symbol identification, and interpretation of Safety Data Sheet fields, mirroring the types of mathematical and document-literacy tasks students will encounter in Infection Control, Dental Materials, and future DANB CDA exam component areas. Students who score below 80% complete targeted remediation and retake an alternate form once within five business days. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Professional Job-Application Package Project | Project | 25% | Rubric score of 80% or higher across all four categories: content accuracy, professional formatting, written communication quality, and scope-of-practice accuracy | Students submit a complete job-application package consisting of a one-page resume tailored to an entry-level dental assistant position, a matching cover letter, a completed scope-of-practice comparison chart verified against the state dental practice act, and a one-page reflection on how professional ethics apply to daily dental assisting work. Each component is scored on a four-category rubric; all four categories must individually meet the 80% threshold for the project to pass. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Career Readiness Oral Defense | Oral / panel | 25% | Pass on all four competency areas as rated by two evaluators (instructor and one dental-professional guest); any single area scored below competency requires a second attempt within five business days | In a 10-minute structured oral session, each student delivers their 30-second professional introduction, answers two unrehearsed scenario questions about scope of practice or ethics drawn at random from a question bank, demonstrates correct navigation of the practice-management training software on demand, and responds to one question about a dental-office emergency response procedure. Two evaluators independently score on a four-area rubric covering professionalism, accuracy, digital fluency, and safety knowledge. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
HLT-DENT40-02 Trade course
Chairside Dental Assisting
256 hr · $3,685 COMPLIMENTARY
Students learn to prepare operatories, seat and monitor patients, assist the dentist during a full range of restorative and basic surgical procedures using four-handed dentistry principles, and manage clinical instruments and tray setups. Emphasis is placed on anticipating the dentist's needs, maintaining a clear field, and recognizing and responding to patient emergencies within the dental assistant's scope. Lessons map directly to the DANB CDA General Chairside (GC) component and build the hands-on competence evaluated in clinical practicum.
Outcomes- Prepare, stock, and break down a procedure-specific instrument tray setup for at least eight common dental procedures according to infection-control and efficiency standards.
- Demonstrate four-handed dentistry techniques — instrument transfer, oral evacuation, retraction, and moisture control — so the dentist's sight line remains unobstructed throughout a simulated procedure.
- Identify by name, function, and safe handling protocol every hand instrument and rotary bur in a standard restorative and oral surgery setup.
- Perform accurate patient intake including vital signs measurement, health history review, and intraoral/extraoral charting using accepted abbreviations and tooth-numbering systems.
- Recognize signs of common dental office medical emergencies (syncope, allergic reaction, airway obstruction) and initiate the correct first-response protocol consistent with BLS/CPR certification.
- Apply knowledge of expanded functions and scope-of-practice limits to determine which chairside tasks require direct dentist supervision or are prohibited for dental assistants in a clinical setting.
Course text
Students learn to prepare operatories, seat and monitor patients, assist the dentist during a full range of restorative and basic surgical procedures using four-handed dentistry principles, and manage clinical instruments and tray setups. Emphasis is placed on anticipating the dentist's needs, maintaining a clear field, and recognizing and responding to patient emergencies within the dental assistant's scope. Lessons map directly to the DANB CDA General Chairside (GC) component and build the hands-on competence evaluated in clinical practicum.
How the course runs. 12 blocks: The Dental Operatory: Design, Equipment, and the Dental Team; Tooth Numbering Systems and Clinical Charting; Patient Intake: Health History, Vital Signs, and Communication; Instrument Identification, Classification, and Safe Handling; Tray Setups for Common Restorative Procedures; Four-Handed Dentistry: Instrument Transfer and Oral Evacuation; Moisture Control: Dental Dam and Supplemental Isolation Techniques; Assisting in Restorative Procedures: Amalgam and Composite; Assisting in Oral Surgery and Basic Extractions; Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office; Patient and Operator Safety: Ergonomics, PPE, and Scope of Practice; Integrated Chairside Competency Simulation.
What competent looks like. Prepare, stock, and break down a procedure-specific instrument tray setup for at least eight common dental procedures according to infection-control and efficiency standards. Demonstrate four-handed dentistry techniques — instrument transfer, oral evacuation, retraction, and moisture control — so the dentist's sight line remains unobstructed throughout a simulated procedure. Identify by name, function, and safe handling protocol every hand instrument and rotary bur in a standard restorative and oral surgery setup. Perform accurate patient intake including vital signs measurement, health history review, and intraoral/extraoral charting using accepted abbreviations and tooth-numbering systems. Recognize signs of common dental office medical emergencies (syncope, allergic reaction, airway obstruction) and initiate the correct first-response protocol consistent with BLS/CPR certification. Apply knowledge of expanded functions and scope-of-practice limits to determine which chairside tasks require direct dentist supervision or are prohibited for dental assistants in a clinical setting.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Dental Operatory: Design, Equipment, and the Dental Team | 15 | theory | Students will identify every major component of a dental treatment room — dental chair, unit, delivery system, light, cuspidor, and evacuation system — and state the role of each member of the dental team by the end of the lesson. |
| Dental treatment unit, typodont, operatory layout diagram handout, DANB GC content outline (current edition), Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach (Phinney & Halstead) or equivalent adopted textbook, state dental practice act summary | Students score 80% or higher on a 20-item identification quiz covering operatory components and team roles; any student below 80% completes a targeted re-read and retakes an equivalent quiz before the next lesson. |
| 2 | Tooth Numbering Systems and Clinical Charting | 16.5 | theory | Students will accurately record simulated charting data on a dental chart using Universal, Palmer, and FDI tooth-numbering systems and standard symbols for restorations, missing teeth, caries, and existing prostheses. |
| Blank paper dental charts, colored pencils (red and blue), audio recording of mock clinical dictation, Universal/Palmer/FDI comparison reference card, textbook chapter on charting | Charting exercise scored by instructor: 90% of entries correct with zero errors in tooth number identification; errors in symbols are corrected and re-submitted before the practical skills unit begins. |
| 3 | Patient Intake: Health History, Vital Signs, and Communication | 18.5 | demo | Students will conduct a patient intake including obtaining a health history, measuring blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate, and temperature, and documenting findings accurately while using plain-language communication appropriate to a diverse adult patient population. |
| Manual sphygmomanometer and stethoscope, digital thermometer, pulse oximeter, patient intake and health history forms (ADA-style), communication rubric, textbook chapters on patient communication and vital signs | Instructor observes each student measuring blood pressure and pulse on a peer; technique is rated on a 10-point checklist — must score 8/10 with zero critical errors (e.g., cuff placement, deflation rate); re-demonstration required if below standard. |
| 4 | Instrument Identification, Classification, and Safe Handling | 22.5 | lab | Students will correctly identify by name and function 40 common hand instruments across restorative, examination, and basic surgical categories and demonstrate safe transfer and cassette-loading technique without causing a sharps incident. |
| Full instrument set (mirrors, explorers, spoon excavators, chisels, hatchets, curettes, elevators, forceps, cotton pliers, scissors, amalgam carriers, condensers, burnishers), sterilization cassettes, instrument ID worksheet, reference photographs | Blind instrument identification quiz: instructor places 20 instruments in random order; student must name and state the function of each in writing — pass is 17/20 correct (85%); student must also load a cassette correctly without instructor guidance. |
| 5 | Tray Setups for Common Restorative Procedures | 22.5 | lab | Students will set up procedure-specific instrument trays for a comprehensive oral examination, amalgam restoration, composite restoration, and dental crown preparation, including all necessary supplies, in the correct sequence and within five minutes. |
| Tray systems (divided instrument trays), full instrument sets, procedure-specific supply kits (cotton rolls, matrix bands, wedges, articulating paper, bonding supplies), tray setup reference cards and photographs, timer, tray-setup rubric | Tray-setup rubric scored by instructor: tray must be 100% complete (no missing items), correctly sequenced, and assembled within five minutes — any missing critical instrument is an automatic fail requiring a repeat setup; pass requires meeting all three criteria. |
| 6 | Four-Handed Dentistry: Instrument Transfer and Oral Evacuation | 26 | practice | Students will perform single-handed and two-handed instrument transfers and operate the HVE and saliva ejector to maintain a clear, dry field during a simulated restorative procedure on a typodont without breaking sterile technique or causing a simulated patient discomfort. |
| Dental units with HVE and saliva ejector, typodonts mounted in phantom head, instrument sets, transfer zone diagram, sequence cards, mirror, waterproof draping, simulation fluid (water with blue food coloring), stopwatch | Instructor rates a five-minute live simulation using a 15-point four-handed dentistry checklist (transfer technique, zone management, evacuation placement, retraction, responsiveness to dentist signal) — pass is 13/15; repeat simulation required if below standard or if an unsafe instrument pass occurs. |
| 7 | Moisture Control: Dental Dam and Supplemental Isolation Techniques | 18.5 | demo | Students will select the correct dental dam size, punch, and clamp for a specified tooth, assist in placement and removal of the dental dam on a typodont, and describe the clinical indications for dental dam versus alternative moisture-control methods. |
| Dental dam material (latex and latex-free), dental dam punch, clamp assortment, clamp forceps, dam frame (Nygaard-Ostby or Young's), lubricant, typodont in phantom head, hole-placement reference chart, alternative isolation system photos or product handout | Student punches and places a dental dam on a typodont for a specified posterior tooth; instructor uses a 10-point checklist — pass is 8/10 with no inverted clamp placement and no torn dam; errors must be corrected before moving forward. |
| 8 | Assisting in Restorative Procedures: Amalgam and Composite | 24 | practice | Students will assist in simulated amalgam and composite resin restorations from anesthesia setup through finishing, including mixing, loading, and transferring restorative materials, and removing excess material, while maintaining the four-handed workflow and accurate documentation. |
| Amalgam alloy capsules and triturator (or simulated capsules), amalgam carriers and condensers, carvers and burnishers, composite kit (bonding agent, composite syringes, curing light, shade guide), matrix band and retainer system (Tofflemire or sectional), wedges, typodont, phantom head, procedure scripts, clinical record forms | Instructor scores a live restorative assist simulation using a 20-point procedural checklist covering setup, material preparation, transfer, isolation maintenance, and cleanup — pass is 16/20 (80%); any unsafe material handling (e.g., uncapped needle left on tray) is an automatic fail. |
| 9 | Assisting in Oral Surgery and Basic Extractions | 18.5 | practice | Students will set up the instrument tray for a routine single-tooth extraction, assist during a simulated surgical procedure including instrument and gauze transfer, retraction, and suction, and provide post-operative instruction verbally and in written form to the simulated patient. |
| Surgical instrument set (periosteal elevators, luxators, extraction forceps — universal and anatomical, surgical scissors, needle holder, tissue forceps), suture material and suture scissors, gauze, typodont on phantom head, post-op instruction template, safety observation checklist | Student demonstrates the full surgical assist sequence in a 10-minute simulation scored on a 15-point rubric — pass is 13/15; student must also verbally deliver the complete post-op instructions scored on a 10-point completeness checklist with a pass of 9/10. |
| 10 | Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office | 20.5 | demo | Students will recognize the signs and symptoms of six common dental office medical emergencies and demonstrate the correct first-response actions — including positioning, oxygen delivery, and emergency kit use — for each scenario within the dental assistant's scope of practice. |
| Emergency kit (oxygen tank with delivery masks, epinephrine auto-injector trainer, glucose tablets or gel, nitroglycerin trainer tablet, aspirin tablet trainer, AED trainer unit), scenario cards, emergency recognition chart, BLS quick-reference card | Each student must correctly identify the emergency and state the first three response actions for four randomly assigned scenarios — pass is correct response for all four; incorrect identification of anaphylaxis or cardiac event requires immediate remediation before the student may continue clinical activities. |
| 11 | Patient and Operator Safety: Ergonomics, PPE, and Scope of Practice | 20.5 | theory | Students will apply ergonomic principles to set up the operator and assistant zones correctly, demonstrate proper PPE donning and doffing sequence, and classify 10 clinical tasks as within the dental assistant's scope, requiring indirect supervision, or prohibited, based on their state's dental practice act. |
| PPE supply set (nitrile gloves, surgical mask, protective eyewear, disposable gown), hand sanitizer and sink station, clock-position zone diagram, ergonomic positioning reference photos, state dental practice act summary handout, scope-of-practice task cards | Scope-of-practice card sort scored by instructor against current state dental practice act: 9/10 correct required; any task classified as permissible that is actually prohibited is flagged for mandatory discussion and repeat sort; PPE sequence checklist must be completed without error. |
| 12 | Integrated Chairside Competency Simulation | 33 | lab | Students will independently manage all chairside assistant responsibilities for a full simulated patient appointment — intake, tray setup, four-handed assist, moisture control, emergency recognition drill, documentation, and operatory breakdown — demonstrating clinical readiness at a passing standard. |
| Fully equipped dental operatory (live unit or high-fidelity simulation unit), complete instrument and supply sets for restorative and examination procedures, patient intake forms, health history forms, clinical record/charting forms, emergency kit (trainer), competency rubric, reflective improvement plan template | Instructor scores the full simulation using a 40-point integrated competency rubric covering eight domains (preparation, intake/charting, isolation, instrument transfer, evacuation, material handling, emergency recognition, documentation/breakdown) — pass is 32/40 (80%) with no score of zero in any safety-critical domain; a zero in any safety domain requires full repeat regardless of total score. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairside Fundamentals Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% correct (38 of 50 items) | A 50-item multiple-choice examination covering tooth numbering, charting symbols, instrument identification and function, tray setup logic, dental dam indications, restorative material properties, medical emergency recognition, and scope-of-practice rules, mapped directly to the DANB CDA General Chairside content outline. Students who score below 75% complete a targeted review of missed content areas and retake an equivalent form within five instructional days. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Four-Handed Dentistry Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Pass on all three critical-safety items plus 13 of 15 total checklist items | Each student performs a 10-minute live chairside assist simulation — including instrument transfer, HVE operation, retraction, and isolation — scored by the instructor on a 15-point behavioral checklist with three designated critical-safety items (no unsafe sharps pass, no obstruction of dentist's operating field, correct HVE placement). The demonstration maps to DANB CDA General Chairside competencies related to chairside assisting and four-handed technique. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Procedure Tray Setup Lab Log | Log | 15% | All four tray setups graded at 100% completeness and correct sequence; completed within five minutes each | Students maintain a lab log documenting each of the four required tray setups (comprehensive examination, amalgam restoration, composite restoration, crown preparation) with a photograph of their completed tray and a self-assessment checklist. The instructor reviews and signs each entry, noting any missing items or sequencing errors; the log is accepted only when all four setups meet the completeness, sequencing, and time standards on a verified repeat attempt. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Medical Emergency and Safety Protocol Check | Safety audit | 15% | Correct identification and correct first three response steps for all four assigned scenarios; PPE sequence completed without error | A practical safety check in which the instructor presents each student with four randomly drawn emergency scenario cards; the student must verbally identify the emergency type and state the immediate response steps in order, then demonstrate correct PPE donning and doffing without contamination errors. This assessment has no partial-pass option — any failure to recognize anaphylaxis or cardiac emergency, or any PPE self-contamination error, requires immediate remediation and a complete repeat check on a different date. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
HLT-DENT40-03 Trade course
Dental Radiography: Techniques, Safety, and Digital Imaging
256 hr · $3,685 COMPLIMENTARY
Students develop competency in exposing, processing, and evaluating dental radiographs using both conventional and digital systems, with strict adherence to radiation safety and patient protection protocols. The course covers full-mouth series, bitewing, periapical, occlusal, and panoramic imaging for a range of patient presentations including edentulous and pediatric cases. Lesson content maps directly to the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) component of the CDA examination and to state dental radiology licensure requirements.
Outcomes- Apply ALARA principles and radiation protection measures to safeguard patients, self, and staff during all radiographic procedures.
- Select and expose diagnostically acceptable periapical, bitewing, occlusal, and panoramic radiographs using paralleling and bisecting-angle techniques on typodont and clinical models.
- Identify and correct common radiographic errors including elongation, foreshortening, cone cuts, overlapping, and density/contrast faults.
- Mount, label, and evaluate a complete series of radiographs using accepted anatomical landmarks and diagnostic quality standards.
- Operate digital radiography sensors, phosphor plate systems, and panoramic units while following manufacturer protocols and infection control procedures.
- Document radiographic procedures accurately in a patient record and comply with federal and state regulations governing radiation safety and licensure.
Course text
Students develop competency in exposing, processing, and evaluating dental radiographs using both conventional and digital systems, with strict adherence to radiation safety and patient protection protocols. The course covers full-mouth series, bitewing, periapical, occlusal, and panoramic imaging for a range of patient presentations including edentulous and pediatric cases. Lesson content maps directly to the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) component of the CDA examination and to state dental radiology licensure requirements.
How the course runs. 12 blocks: Radiation Physics and Biology Foundations; Radiation Safety, ALARA, and Regulatory Compliance; Radiographic Film, Digital Sensors, and Image Receptors; Dental and Skeletal Anatomy on Radiographs; Paralleling Technique: Periapical Radiographs; Bisecting-Angle Technique and Occlusal Radiographs; Bitewing Radiographs: Interproximal and Vertical; Full-Mouth Radiographic Series: Integration and Mounting; Panoramic and Extraoral Radiographic Techniques; Special Patient Populations: Pediatric, Edentulous, and Gag-Reflex Management; Digital Imaging Workflow, Software, and Quality Assurance; Radiographic Interpretation, Ethics, and Exam Readiness.
What competent looks like. Apply ALARA principles and radiation protection measures to safeguard patients, self, and staff during all radiographic procedures. Select and expose diagnostically acceptable periapical, bitewing, occlusal, and panoramic radiographs using paralleling and bisecting-angle techniques on typodont and clinical models. Identify and correct common radiographic errors including elongation, foreshortening, cone cuts, overlapping, and density/contrast faults. Mount, label, and evaluate a complete series of radiographs using accepted anatomical landmarks and diagnostic quality standards. Operate digital radiography sensors, phosphor plate systems, and panoramic units while following manufacturer protocols and infection control procedures. Document radiographic procedures accurately in a patient record and comply with federal and state regulations governing radiation safety and licensure.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Radiation Physics and Biology Foundations | 18 | theory | Students explain the properties of ionizing radiation, the production of x-rays in a dental unit, and the biologic effects that justify protective practices. |
| Dental radiography textbook (e.g., Iannucci & Howerton, Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques), tube-head cross-section model, whiteboard, radiation unit conversion handout, DANB RHS content outline | Written unit quiz of 30 multiple-choice items covering x-ray production, radiation units, and biologic effects; passing score 75%. |
| 2 | Radiation Safety, ALARA, and Regulatory Compliance | 20 | theory | Students apply the ALARA principle and describe federal and state regulations, equipment requirements, and personnel monitoring practices that minimize radiation exposure. |
| State dental board radiography rules handout, NRC and CDC radiation safety references, lead apron with thyroid collar, dosimetry badge samples, inverse square law calculation worksheet, DANB RHS content outline | Observation checklist: student correctly places lead apron and thyroid collar on mannequin, positions self at least five feet from source or behind a barrier, and articulates ALARA decision rationale for two assigned scenarios; all three criteria must be met to pass. |
| 3 | Radiographic Film, Digital Sensors, and Image Receptors | 16 | demo | Students distinguish among intraoral film, phosphor storage plates (PSP), and solid-state digital sensors, and explain how each receptor type captures, stores, and produces a diagnostic image. |
| Intraoral film packets (assorted sizes 0–4), PSP plates and scanner, direct digital sensor (wired or wireless) connected to dental imaging software, training x-ray unit or simulator, image quality comparison handout, manufacturer operator manuals | Practical identification check: student correctly names each receptor type, states its handling and infection control requirement, and sets appropriate kVp/mAs for an assigned patient scenario on the simulator; instructor signs off on completed comparison chart. |
| 4 | Dental and Skeletal Anatomy on Radiographs | 20 | theory | Students identify normal anatomical landmarks of the maxilla, mandible, and dentition as they appear on periapical and bitewing radiographs. |
| Printed or projected radiograph image sets (minimum 40 images), anatomical landmark reference chart, Iannucci & Howerton textbook chapter on normal anatomy, dental charting forms, DANB RHS content outline | Landmark identification exam: students label 25 structures on a printed radiograph set; passing score 80% (20 of 25 correct). |
| 5 | Paralleling Technique: Periapical Radiographs | 28 | lab | Students produce diagnostically acceptable periapical radiographs of all regions of the mouth using the paralleling technique with film-holding instruments on a typodont. |
| Dental x-ray unit, skull or typodont phantom, Rinn XCP film holders, size 1 and 2 PSP plates or digital sensors, PSP scanner or imaging software, error identification guide, lead apron with thyroid collar, DANB RHS content outline | Instructor evaluates the completed periapical series using a standardized 5-point radiographic quality rubric (diagnostic quality, correct anatomical coverage, acceptable density/contrast, no cone cuts, correct horizontal/vertical angulation); student must score 4 of 5 on at least 16 of 18 images to pass. |
| 6 | Bisecting-Angle Technique and Occlusal Radiographs | 20 | lab | Students produce periapical radiographs using the bisecting-angle technique and standard occlusal projections on a typodont, explaining when each technique is indicated over the paralleling technique. |
| Dental x-ray unit, skull or typodont phantom, size 4 receptor (film or PSP) for occlusal projections, size 2 receptors for periapicals, protractor, bisecting-angle angulation reference chart, imaging software, lead apron and thyroid collar | Instructor evaluates the bisecting-angle series and both occlusal images using the same 5-point rubric from Lesson 5; student must achieve acceptable (score 4–5) on at least 5 of 6 periapicals and both occlusal images. |
| 7 | Bitewing Radiographs: Interproximal and Vertical | 22 | lab | Students expose and evaluate standard horizontal and vertical bitewing radiographs of the posterior regions on a typodont, correctly positioning the receptor to capture interproximal contacts and alveolar bone levels. |
| Dental x-ray unit, typodont phantom, Rinn bitewing film holders or tab system, size 2 receptors, imaging software, bitewing positioning reference card, standardized rubric, dental charting forms | Instructor reviews both bitewing series; all eight images must show open contacts, correct coverage of alveolar bone crest, and acceptable density; student must achieve passing score (4–5 on rubric) on at least 7 of 8 images. |
| 8 | Full-Mouth Radiographic Series: Integration and Mounting | 26 | lab | Students assemble and mount a complete full-mouth series (periapical and bitewing images) in correct anatomical order, using landmarks to verify placement and labeling the series according to ADA mounting conventions. |
| Dental x-ray unit, typodont phantom, XCP and bitewing holders, size 0-2 receptors, PSP scanner or imaging software, full-mouth mount, ADA mounting convention reference, diagnostic acceptability checklist, patient chart form, lead apron and thyroid collar | Instructor evaluates the complete mounted series: at least 20 of 22 images must score 4–5 on the rubric, mount order must be 100% anatomically correct, and the radiographic chart entry must include all required elements; all three criteria must be met to pass. |
| 9 | Panoramic and Extraoral Radiographic Techniques | 22 | demo | Students operate a panoramic x-ray unit to expose a diagnostically acceptable panoramic radiograph, correctly positioning a patient (or mannequin) and identifying common panoramic errors and their causes. |
| Panoramic x-ray unit, mannequin or volunteer patient (per program clinical protocol), thyroid-collar-compatible lead apron, panoramic error reference table, printed panoramic anatomy labeling worksheet, Iannucci & Howerton panoramic chapter | Instructor observation checklist for positioning: student correctly aligns mannequin in all three planes, removes contraindicated items, applies draping, and initiates exposure; plus 80% score (16 of 20) on anatomy labeling worksheet. Both must be met. |
| 10 | Special Patient Populations: Pediatric, Edentulous, and Gag-Reflex Management | 18 | demo | Students adapt radiographic technique, receptor size, and exposure parameters to meet the imaging needs of pediatric patients, edentulous patients, and patients with a hyperactive gag reflex. |
| Child-sized typodont, size 0 and size 1 receptors, adult typodont (edentulous configuration), dental x-ray unit, gag-reflex management reference card, DANB RHS content outline, patient modification case worksheets | Case prescription reviewed by instructor: all three modifications must be clinically defensible; pediatric series evaluated with rubric—at least 4 of 6 images must score 4–5 to pass. |
| 11 | Digital Imaging Workflow, Software, and Quality Assurance | 24 | practice | Students complete the end-to-end digital imaging workflow—from receptor preparation through image acquisition, enhancement, archiving, and equipment quality assurance testing—using dental imaging software. |
| Computers with dental imaging software (training license), digital x-ray unit and/or PSP scanner, QA testing toolkit (stepwedge, coin test tool, safelight timer), QA logbook template, HIPAA privacy rule summary handout, record retention state reference | Instructor reviews completed QA logbook entries (all fields accurate and complete) and digital workflow output (correctly enhanced and archived image series); HIPAA worksheet must score 80% or above. All three components must pass. |
| 12 | Radiographic Interpretation, Ethics, and Exam Readiness | 22 | theory | Students interpret radiographic images to identify common pathologic findings, apply ethical and legal guidelines for prescribing and performing radiographs, and demonstrate readiness for the DANB RHS examination and state dental radiology licensure exam. |
| Curated radiograph pathology image set (printed or digital), structured report form, DANB RHS content outline and candidate guide, ethics scenario handouts, 100-item practice examination with answer key, gap analysis worksheet | Practice exam score of 75% or above required; gap analysis worksheet completed and submitted; pathology report graded by instructor—student must correctly identify and describe at least 80% of findings to pass. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radiography Comprehensive Knowledge Examination | Written exam | 25% | 75% (75 of 100 items correct) | A 100-item multiple-choice examination covering radiation physics, biologic effects, ALARA and safety regulations, image receptor types, technique principles, anatomical landmarks, panoramic imaging, digital workflows, and radiographic interpretation, mapped to the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) content outline. Students have 90 minutes to complete the exam; those who do not pass on the first attempt receive targeted remediation and one retake opportunity. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Clinical Radiographic Technique Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Instructor signs off on all eight criteria; minimum 20 of 22 images rated diagnostically acceptable on the standardized rubric | The student exposes a complete full-mouth series (18 periapical images using paralleling technique and 4 bitewing images) on a typodont phantom in a single timed session, then mounts and labels the series in correct anatomical order and completes a radiographic chart entry. The instructor evaluates image quality using the standardized 5-point rubric, verifies mounting order, confirms chart documentation, and observes all radiation safety and infection control measures throughout the session. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Radiography Lab Log | Log | 15% | All 12 lesson lab entries submitted and complete; average rubric scores meet or exceed 4.0 out of 5.0 across all image series; QA logbook verified accurate | Students maintain a cumulative lab log documenting every radiographic exposure session, including patient or typodont identifier, date, technique used, receptor type and size, exposure settings, number of images exposed and retaken, errors identified, corrections applied, and instructor sign-off. The log is collected at the end of the course and evaluated for completeness, accuracy, and evidence of progressive skill improvement across all technique types. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Radiation Safety and Infection Control Compliance Check | Safety audit | 15% | 100% on all safety-critical items; no critical failures permitted | Using a structured 20-item checklist, the instructor observes the student performing a complete radiographic procedure (including receptor preparation with infection control barriers, lead apron and thyroid collar placement, operator positioning, ALARA decision documentation, post-exposure receptor handling, and barrier removal) and rates each item as pass or fail. Any critical safety failure—such as omitting lead apron, incorrect operator distance, or breach of infection control protocol—results in immediate remediation and a mandatory repeat evaluation before the student may continue clinical activities. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
HLT-DENT40-04 Trade course
Infection Control for Dental Assisting
255 hr · $3,670 COMPLIMENTARY
This course teaches the theory and hands-on skills required to prevent and control the transmission of infectious disease in dental settings, following CDC, OSHA, and OSAP guidelines. Students master standard precautions, sterilization and disinfection protocols, exposure-control planning, and regulated waste management as applied daily in a dental operatory. Lesson content maps directly to the Infection Control (ICE) component of the DANB CDA examination and to state dental-board infection-control requirements.
Outcomes- Apply standard precautions and transmission-based precautions correctly for all patient encounters in a dental setting.
- Perform instrument processing—cleaning, packaging, sterilization, and storage—following current CDC and OSAP guidelines to achieve a documented spore-test pass rate.
- Disinfect and barrier-protect all clinical contact surfaces and equipment between patients using appropriate EPA-registered products and techniques.
- Manage occupational exposure incidents, including needlestick protocol, post-exposure reporting, and completion of OSHA-required documentation.
- Demonstrate compliant handling, labeling, and disposal of regulated medical waste and hazardous chemicals per federal and applicable state regulations.
- Explain the scientific basis of microbiology, disease transmission, and sterilization parameters as required for the DANB CDA Infection Control component.
Course text
This course teaches the theory and hands-on skills required to prevent and control the transmission of infectious disease in dental settings, following CDC, OSHA, and OSAP guidelines. Students master standard precautions, sterilization and disinfection protocols, exposure-control planning, and regulated waste management as applied daily in a dental operatory. Lesson content maps directly to the Infection Control (ICE) component of the DANB CDA examination and to state dental-board infection-control requirements.
How the course runs. 12 blocks: Microbiology Fundamentals for Dental Practice; Regulatory Framework: OSHA, CDC, and State Requirements; Personal Protective Equipment: Selection, Fit, and Donning/Doffing; Hand Hygiene: Technique and Indications; Surface Disinfection and Barrier Techniques; Instrument Processing Part 1: Transport, Cleaning, and Inspection; Instrument Processing Part 2: Packaging, Sterilization, and Storage; Biological Monitoring and Quality Assurance; Dental Unit Waterline Management; Regulated Waste and Hazardous Chemical Management; Occupational Exposure Management and Post-Exposure Protocol; Integrated Infection Control Simulation and DANB ICE Review.
What competent looks like. Apply standard precautions and transmission-based precautions correctly for all patient encounters in a dental setting. Perform instrument processing—cleaning, packaging, sterilization, and storage—following current CDC and OSAP guidelines to achieve a documented spore-test pass rate. Disinfect and barrier-protect all clinical contact surfaces and equipment between patients using appropriate EPA-registered products and techniques. Manage occupational exposure incidents, including needlestick protocol, post-exposure reporting, and completion of OSHA-required documentation. Demonstrate compliant handling, labeling, and disposal of regulated medical waste and hazardous chemicals per federal and applicable state regulations. Explain the scientific basis of microbiology, disease transmission, and sterilization parameters as required for the DANB CDA Infection Control component.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microbiology Fundamentals for Dental Practice | 18 | theory | The student will classify the major categories of microorganisms relevant to dentistry—bacteria, viruses, fungi, and prions—and explain their modes of transmission in a clinical environment. |
| CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings (2003 and updates), OSAP From Policy to Practice workbook, whiteboard, printed chain-of-infection diagrams, case-study handouts | 10-question written quiz covering pathogen classification and transmission routes; passing score 80% or higher. |
| 2 | Regulatory Framework: OSHA, CDC, and State Requirements | 16 | theory | The student will identify the roles of OSHA, CDC, EPA, and the state dental board in regulating infection control and locate the specific OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requirements that apply to dental employees. |
| OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) printed excerpts, OSHA Hazard Communication Standard excerpts, CDC Infection Control Guidelines summary cards, state dental-board infection-control rule handout, laptops for web access | Regulation identification quiz of 15 items (match rule to agency, true/false on employer obligations); passing score 80% or higher. |
| 3 | Personal Protective Equipment: Selection, Fit, and Donning/Doffing | 20 | demo | The student will select appropriate PPE for a given dental procedure and demonstrate the correct sequence for donning and doffing gloves, mask, protective eyewear, and gown without self-contamination. |
| Nitrile exam gloves (multiple sizes), surgical masks, N95 respirators, face shields, protective eyewear, fluid-resistant gowns, GloGerm lotion and UV lamp, PPE donning/doffing competency checklist, OSHA PPE fact sheet | Skills checklist observation by instructor: student must complete all 14 donning/doffing steps in correct order with zero critical errors (steps that would cause self-contamination) to pass. |
| 4 | Hand Hygiene: Technique and Indications | 14 | practice | The student will perform routine hand washing and alcohol-based hand-rub technique correctly and state the specific indications for each method per CDC hand-hygiene guidelines. |
| Sink with liquid soap dispenser, paper towels, ABHR dispensers, GloGerm powder, UV lamp, CDC Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings guidelines, scenario strip cards | Observed hand-wash performance using a 10-point CDC-aligned rubric; student must score 9 of 10 points (must not miss thumb, fingertip, or interdigital spaces) to pass. |
| 5 | Surface Disinfection and Barrier Techniques | 22 | lab | The student will classify clinical contact surfaces and housekeeping surfaces in a dental operatory, select the correct EPA-registered disinfectant for each category, and perform a compliant spray-wipe-spray or barrier technique on a fully equipped operatory. |
| Mock dental operatory with chair, light, bracket table, and delivery unit; EPA-registered surface disinfectants (intermediate-level tuberculocidal); surface-barrier materials (plastic wraps, sleeves); color-coded stickers; stopwatch; CDC surface disinfection guideline summary; product Safety Data Sheets | Timed turnover competency checklist: student must correctly sequence all steps and achieve required contact times with zero skipped clinical contact surfaces; passing requires no critical steps missed. |
| 6 | Instrument Processing Part 1: Transport, Cleaning, and Inspection | 25 | lab | The student will safely transport contaminated instruments to the instrument-processing area and perform manual and ultrasonic cleaning followed by visual and magnified inspection before packaging. |
| Simulated contaminated instruments (extracted-tooth training set or retired instruments), covered transport cassettes, ultrasonic cleaner with enzymatic solution, protective eyewear, utility gloves, lighted magnifier, instrument-condition inspection form, OSAP instrument-processing checklist | Instructor observation using OSAP-aligned cleaning checklist; student must correctly complete all transport, cycle, rinse, and inspection steps with no cross-contamination errors to pass. |
| 7 | Instrument Processing Part 2: Packaging, Sterilization, and Storage | 25 | lab | The student will package instruments using peel pouches and cassette wraps, load and operate a steam autoclave according to manufacturer parameters, and apply correct load documentation and storage practices. |
| Peel pouches (various sizes), sterilization wrap, chemical indicator strips (class 5 or 6), heat sealer, steam autoclave, sterilization log forms, permanent marker, simulated supply shelf with mixed-date packages, manufacturer's autoclave operation manual | Instructor reviews sterilization log entry and inspects sealed packages: all packages must have internal chemical indicator, legible date and load number, and intact seal; autoclave cycle parameters must be within manufacturer range to pass. |
| 8 | Biological Monitoring and Quality Assurance | 18 | theory | The student will explain the purpose and correct procedure for spore testing (biological monitoring) of sterilizers and describe the steps to take when a spore test fails. |
| Biological indicator test strips or in-office incubator system, testing-service mailing envelopes, quality-assurance log template, CDC biological monitoring guidance excerpt, OSAP failed-spore-test protocol flowchart, corrective-action form | Short written scenario response: given a specific failed-spore-test situation, student lists all required actions in correct order and completes the corrective-action form accurately; passing score 80% or higher. |
| 9 | Dental Unit Waterline Management | 18 | theory | The student will explain biofilm formation in dental unit waterlines, describe the CDC and ADA recommended water-quality standard for dental treatment water, and perform at least one waterline maintenance procedure following manufacturer instructions. |
| Dental unit with independent water reservoir, waterline treatment tablets or chemical, in-office water test kit (dip-slides or equivalent), waterline maintenance log template, CDC water quality guidance summary, ADA statement on dental unit waterlines | Student correctly completes the waterline maintenance log with date, procedure performed, test result, and pass/fail interpretation; supervisor initials confirm observation; no log entries left blank to pass. |
| 10 | Regulated Waste and Hazardous Chemical Management | 20 | theory | The student will correctly segregate regulated medical waste from general waste, label containers per OSHA requirements, and access and interpret a Safety Data Sheet for a dental chemical used in infection control. |
| Simulated waste items, sharps container, red biohazard bags, general-waste container, biohazard labels, SDS binder with common dental infection-control products, SDS summary form, waste log template, OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard excerpts | Waste-sort observed by instructor: all items must be placed in correct container with zero sharps or blood-contaminated items in general trash; SDS summary form must correctly identify at least 8 of 10 required data points to pass. |
| 11 | Occupational Exposure Management and Post-Exposure Protocol | 20 | demo | The student will demonstrate the immediate response steps following a needlestick or mucous-membrane exposure and correctly complete an OSHA exposure-incident report form. |
| Needlestick scenario cards, soap and running water at sink, OSHA post-exposure incident report form template, office exposure-control plan with reporting flowchart, hepatitis B declination form sample, CDC occupational HIV/HBV/HCV exposure guidance summary | Role-play scored on 8-step immediate-response checklist: student must complete wound care and verbal report steps in correct order with no critical steps omitted; incident report form must be fully and accurately completed to pass. |
| 12 | Integrated Infection Control Simulation and DANB ICE Review | 39 | practice | The student will perform a complete patient-cycle infection-control routine from operatory preparation through final disinfection and instrument reprocessing while correctly identifying the DANB CDA Infection Control (ICE) exam content areas covered by each step. |
| Mock dental operatory (fully equipped), complete PPE supplies, instrument processing area with autoclave, surface disinfectants, regulated-waste containers, master competency checklist, DANB CDA Candidate Handbook (current edition), 40-question practice question set with answer rationales, lab-log binder | Master competency checklist: student must pass all seven major phases of the full-cycle simulation with no critical errors; practice set score recorded as a benchmark (target 80% or higher, used to guide exam-prep study plan). |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infection Control Written Examination | Written exam | 25% | 80% or higher (32 of 40 questions correct) | A 40-question multiple-choice examination covering microbiology and disease transmission, regulatory requirements (OSHA, CDC, EPA), sterilization science, waterline management, chemical disinfection, and exposure incident management, mapped to DANB CDA Infection Control (ICE) content categories. Questions are drawn from all 12 lessons and require application of principles to dental clinical scenarios, not recall alone. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Instrument Processing and Operatory Turnover Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Zero critical errors on a 28-point competency checklist; 80% of standard items met | The student performs a timed, unassisted patient-cycle competency: preparing a mock operatory with appropriate barriers and disinfection, donning and doffing PPE correctly, processing a tray of simulated contaminated instruments through ultrasonic cleaning, packaging, and autoclave sterilization, completing the sterilization log, and performing compliant regulated-waste disposal. The instructor evaluates each phase using a standardized checklist aligned to CDC and OSAP instrument-processing guidelines. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Infection Control Lab Log | Log | 15% | All 12 lesson sections completed with instructor initials; 90% of entries rated satisfactory or above | Throughout the course, each student maintains a bound lab log recording the date, procedure performed, materials used, observed results (e.g., spore-test reading, water-test result, GloGerm audit photograph), and a brief reflective note connecting the activity to patient safety for every hands-on lesson. The instructor reviews and initials each entry at the end of each lab session; the completed log is submitted at the end of the course as documentation of participation and procedural accuracy. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens and Exposure Incident Safety Check | Safety audit | 15% | 100% on all critical-safety items; 80% overall on the 20-point rubric | A direct observation safety evaluation in which the instructor presents an unannounced simulated occupational exposure scenario (needlestick during instrument cleanup) and scores the student's real-time response on immediate wound care, supervisor notification, incident documentation, and correct post-exposure reporting steps. Any failure of a critical-safety step (e.g., not washing the wound, not completing an incident report) requires immediate remediation and retest before the student may progress to the Clinical Practicum. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
HLT-DENT40-05 Trade course
Dental Materials: Properties, Handling, and Clinical Application
255 hr · $3,670 COMPLIMENTARY
Students develop hands-on competency in selecting, mixing, manipulating, and quality-checking the full range of dental materials used chairside, including impression materials, cements, restorative materials, and finishing agents. Emphasis is placed on the physical and chemical properties that govern correct technique, patient safety, and infection control during material use. Lesson content maps directly to the DANB CDA component exams covering chairside assisting and materials knowledge.
Outcomes- Identify the composition, properties, and clinical indications of major dental material categories including cements, impression materials, restorative materials, and auxiliaries
- Mix, load, and transfer dental materials within manufacturer-specified working times using correct armamentarium under simulated chairside conditions
- Evaluate set or cured material for acceptability using established criteria and discard or flag unacceptable batches before they reach the patient
- Follow OSHA Hazard Communication standards and manufacturer Safety Data Sheets when handling dental chemicals and resins
- Maintain accurate material preparation logs that document batch numbers, expiration dates, mix ratios, and patient or procedure identifiers
- Demonstrate infection control procedures specific to dental material preparation areas including single-use dispensing, surface disinfection, and waste segregation
Course text
Students develop hands-on competency in selecting, mixing, manipulating, and quality-checking the full range of dental materials used chairside, including impression materials, cements, restorative materials, and finishing agents. Emphasis is placed on the physical and chemical properties that govern correct technique, patient safety, and infection control during material use. Lesson content maps directly to the DANB CDA component exams covering chairside assisting and materials knowledge.
How the course runs. 12 blocks: Introduction to Dental Materials: Classification, Properties, and Standards; Hazard Communication, SDS Literacy, and Safe Material Handling; Gypsum Products: Plaster, Stone, and Die Stone; Alginate Impression Materials; Elastomeric Impression Materials: Polyvinyl Siloxane and Polyether; Dental Waxes, Zinc Oxide Eugenol Materials, and Temporary Restorations; Dental Cements: Bases, Liners, and Luting Agents; Composite Resins and Bonding Agents; Amalgam: Handling, Trituration, and Condensation; Finishing, Polishing, Bleaching, and Desensitizing Agents; Infection Control in the Materials Preparation Area; Integrated Materials Competency and DANB CDA Exam Mapping.
What competent looks like. Identify the composition, properties, and clinical indications of major dental material categories including cements, impression materials, restorative materials, and auxiliaries. Mix, load, and transfer dental materials within manufacturer-specified working times using correct armamentarium under simulated chairside conditions. Evaluate set or cured material for acceptability using established criteria and discard or flag unacceptable batches before they reach the patient. Follow OSHA Hazard Communication standards and manufacturer Safety Data Sheets when handling dental chemicals and resins. Maintain accurate material preparation logs that document batch numbers, expiration dates, mix ratios, and patient or procedure identifiers. Demonstrate infection control procedures specific to dental material preparation areas including single-use dispensing, surface disinfection, and waste segregation.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Dental Materials: Classification, Properties, and Standards | 15 | theory | Students will classify dental materials by type and clinical use and explain the physical and mechanical properties—including viscosity, setting time, compressive strength, and biocompatibility—that govern material selection. |
| Whiteboard, product sample cards, Torres & Ehrlich Modern Dental Assisting (current edition), assorted manufacturer IFUs and SDSs, classification chart worksheet | Completed classification chart scored with instructor rubric; students must correctly classify at least 90% of listed materials and match at least 4 of 5 key properties to the correct material type to pass |
| 2 | Hazard Communication, SDS Literacy, and Safe Material Handling | 15 | theory | Students will locate relevant safety information on an SDS for any dental chemical and demonstrate compliance with OSHA Hazard Communication Standard requirements for labeling, storage, and PPE selection. |
| Printed SDSs for at least eight common dental materials, secondary container samples, PPE selection reference card, OSHA HazCom standard summary handout | SDS worksheet scored for accuracy; students must correctly identify all four required SDS sections and PPE choices for at least 4 of 5 scenarios; any missed first-aid or disposal item triggers mandatory re-instruction before the student handles materials in lab |
| 3 | Gypsum Products: Plaster, Stone, and Die Stone | 22 | lab | Students will mix, pour, and trim gypsum products to produce dimensionally accurate study models and dies using the correct water-to-powder ratios and vibration technique. |
| Plaster of Paris, Type II and Type III dental stone, die stone, flexible rubber bowls, spatulas, gram scale, graduated cylinders, vibrator, model trimmer, safety glasses, disposable gloves, pre-taken alginate impressions or molds | Trimmed stone model evaluated against a 10-point rubric covering anatomical accuracy, absence of voids, correct occlusal plane trim, and smooth surfaces; score of 8/10 or higher required to pass |
| 4 | Alginate Impression Materials | 22 | lab | Students will prepare and take a dimensionally accurate alginate impression on a typodont or a classmate volunteer, mixing to correct consistency within the working time and producing an impression free of voids, drags, and tears. |
| Irreversible hydrocolloid alginate (regular- and fast-set), water measuring devices, powder scoop, mixing bowl, spatula, assorted perforated trays, typodont or volunteer partner, disinfectant spray, plastic wrap, zip-lock bags | Impression evaluated on a 10-point rubric: completeness of arch, absence of voids in critical areas, adequate peripheral roll, no tears; 8/10 required; unsafe technique (e.g., no gloves, no eye protection) = automatic repeat |
| 5 | Elastomeric Impression Materials: Polyvinyl Siloxane and Polyether | 22 | lab | Students will load and express polyvinyl siloxane and polyether impression materials using an automix gun and hand-mixing techniques, producing acceptable full-arch and quadrant impressions on a typodont within manufacturer working times. |
| PVS cartridges (light and heavy body), polyether cartridges, automix guns, mixing tips, stock and custom trays, tray adhesive, typodonts, PPE, timer, manufacturer IFUs | Each student submits one acceptable full-arch PVS and one acceptable polyether impression; both evaluated on the same 10-point rubric as alginate with a pass mark of 8/10; working-time violations documented in lab log |
| 6 | Dental Waxes, Zinc Oxide Eugenol Materials, and Temporary Restorations | 20 | demo | Students will prepare and place a zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) temporary cement and a chairside temporary restoration on a typodont, meeting dimensional and marginal integrity criteria. |
| ZOE powder and liquid, glass slabs, flexible spatulas, dental wax assortment, alcohol lamp or warm-water bath, shell crowns or matrices, bis-acryl temporary material (optional), articulating paper, typodont, handpiece for trimming (or acrylic bur), PPE | Temporary crown evaluated for marginal adaptation, occlusal contacts within one shim thickness, and absence of overhangs; ZOE mix evaluated for correct consistency on a checklist; both components must pass for lesson credit |
| 7 | Dental Cements: Bases, Liners, and Luting Agents | 22 | lab | Students will mix zinc phosphate, glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, and polycarboxylate cements to the correct consistency for their intended clinical use (base, liner, or luting) within manufacturer working times. |
| Zinc phosphate cement (powder and liquid), glass ionomer capsules and hand-mix kits, resin-modified GI kit, polycarboxylate cement, mixing pads, glass slabs, cement spatulas, cool-water bath for slab, timer, typodont, scenario cards | Instructor times and evaluates each mix using a manufacturer-referenced consistency checklist; student must achieve correct luting consistency for at least two of four cement types within working time and correctly justify cement selection for 4 of 5 scenario cards |
| 8 | Composite Resins and Bonding Agents | 22 | lab | Students will apply etch, primer, and bonding agent in correct sequence and incrementally pack and cure a posterior composite resin restoration on a typodont, producing a restoration with adequate contour and no voids. |
| Phosphoric acid etch gel, bonding agent system (primer and adhesive), composite resin in multiple shades, composite placement instruments, curing light with protective shield, timer, VITA shade guide, typodont with prepared Class I and II cavities, articulating paper, finishing discs | Cured composite restoration evaluated on a 10-point rubric: full cavity fill, no voids on probe check, acceptable contour, and occlusion within one thickness of articulating paper; 8/10 required; curing time deviations greater than 20% from manufacturer specification must be corrected before evaluation counts |
| 9 | Amalgam: Handling, Trituration, and Condensation | 20 | lab | Students will triturate, condense, carve, and burnish a dental amalgam restoration on a typodont using correct mercury-hygiene protocols, producing a restoration with proper anatomy and tight margins. |
| Pre-encapsulated amalgam capsules, amalgamator, amalgam carrier, amalgam well, condensers, amalgam carvers, burnisher, articulating paper, typodont with Class I and II preparations, nitrile gloves (not latex), eye protection, mercury vapor monitor reference data, EPA waste container | Restoration evaluated on a 10-point rubric: proper anatomy, tight margins on probe check, adequate condensation (no voids on cross-section photo if sectioned), correct occlusion; 8/10 required; any mercury spill protocol violation = mandatory review and repeat before credit is awarded |
| 10 | Finishing, Polishing, Bleaching, and Desensitizing Agents | 20 | demo | Students will select and sequence appropriate finishing and polishing instruments and agents for composite and amalgam restorations and describe the mechanism and safety considerations for in-office and at-home tooth bleaching systems. |
| Finishing discs (coarse to superfine), composite polishing points, amalgam polishing kit, slow-speed handpiece with latch-type attachment, rubber cup, prophylaxis paste, typodont, example bleaching system IFUs, patient safety checklist worksheet, magnification loupes (if available) | Surface finish evaluated by instructor using a tactile and visual rubric (5-point scale, minimum 4/5); bleaching safety checklist completed with 100% accuracy on contraindication identification, as errors here carry patient-safety consequences |
| 11 | Infection Control in the Materials Preparation Area | 21 | practice | Students will set up, use, and break down a dental materials preparation area in full compliance with infection control standards, including single-use dispensing, surface asepsis, and regulated waste disposal specific to dental materials. |
| UV fluorescent powder, UV lamp, EPA-registered surface disinfectant, paper mixing pads, single-use dispensing tools, simulated waste items, regulated waste containers and labels, personal protective equipment, infection control protocol reference card | Each student must achieve zero contamination events on the UV re-check after the corrective protocol drill and correctly sort at least 9 of 10 waste items; any misclassification of amalgam waste triggers re-instruction |
| 12 | Integrated Materials Competency and DANB CDA Exam Mapping | 34 | practice | Students will perform a timed, integrated materials preparation sequence covering impression taking, cement mixing, composite placement, and documentation, and map each task to the relevant DANB CDA General Chairside Assisting (GC) and Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) examination content areas. |
| Typodont, all materials from previous labs, station timing clock, competency checklists, DANB CDA Candidate Handbook (current version, available at danb.org), practice quiz with answer key and rationales, lab log portfolio | Station rotation: pass/fail on each station using lesson-specific rubrics (same standards as prior labs); written quiz: 80% or higher to pass; students who score below 80% on the quiz receive a targeted remediation assignment before the final knowledge exam |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Materials Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% or higher (38 of 50 items correct) | A 50-item multiple-choice examination covering material classification and properties, mixing ratios and techniques, cement types and clinical indications, composite and amalgam handling, infection control in material preparation, and hazard communication; questions are written to mirror the format and cognitive level of DANB CDA General Chairside Assisting content, providing direct exam preparation value. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Clinical Materials Handling Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Pass on all four required stations (minimum 8/10 on each rubric); any patient-safety violation at any station = automatic fail of that station regardless of total score | Students demonstrate competency at four timed, unannounced stations selected from: alginate impression, elastomeric impression, zinc phosphate cement mix, composite incremental placement and cure, or temporary crown fabrication; a faculty evaluator scores each station against the lesson rubric and documents results on a standardized competency form that becomes part of the student's academic record. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Lab Log Portfolio | Log | 15% | Complete entries for all 12 lessons, with no more than two entries requiring revision; revised entries must be resubmitted within one week | Students maintain a cumulative lab log throughout the course documenting every hands-on session: material used, lot number and expiration date, water-to-powder or mixing ratio, working and setting times, outcome observations, defects noted, and corrective actions; the log demonstrates professional documentation habits directly transferable to clinical practice and required for licensure-related record keeping. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| SDS and Hazard Communication Safety Check | Safety audit | 15% | 100% on all safety-critical items (PPE selection, disposal classification, first-aid section identification); overall checklist score of 90% or higher; any score below 100% on safety-critical items requires repeat of Lesson 2 content and re-check before the student may handle materials independently | A practical safety audit in which the instructor presents the student with three unfamiliar dental material SDSs and five material-handling scenarios; the student must identify correct PPE, locate first-aid and disposal information, apply the correct waste category, and demonstrate proper secondary container labeling within a 20-minute time limit, simulating real-world compliance requirements under OSHA HazCom. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
HLT-DENT40-06 Capstone
Capstone Project: Integrated Dental Assisting Case Study and Defense
216 hr · $2,160 COMPLIMENTARY
Students synthesize skills acquired across all prior courses—chairside assisting, radiography, infection control, dental materials, safety, and communication—by building a comprehensive patient-care case study based on a simulated clinical scenario. The capstone culminates in a formal written portfolio and an oral defense before a faculty panel, mirroring the professional accountability expected in credentialed dental assisting practice.
Outcomes- Construct a complete, accurate patient-care case file—including a simulated medical history review, radiographic series rationale, tray setup documentation, and infection-control compliance checklist—that meets DANB CDA content area standards.
- Demonstrate correct identification and documentation of dental materials selected for a given procedure, justifying each choice using manufacturer guidelines and clinical criteria studied in the Dental Materials course.
- Apply OSHA bloodborne-pathogen and hazard-communication standards to a written infection-control plan specific to the simulated case, identifying at least one corrective action for each mock compliance gap presented.
- Produce a professional portfolio that organizes artifacts from every program course into a coherent narrative of competency growth, suitable for submission to employers and for reference during State Dental Radiology and DANB CDA credential applications.
- Defend clinical and administrative decisions made in the case study through a structured oral presentation, responding accurately to faculty questions about scope of practice, patient safety, and evidence-based rationale.
- Evaluate a peer's case documentation using a standardized rubric, providing specific, respectful written feedback that references program and DANB CDA standards.
Course text
Students synthesize skills acquired across all prior courses—chairside assisting, radiography, infection control, dental materials, safety, and communication—by building a comprehensive patient-care case study based on a simulated clinical scenario. The capstone culminates in a formal written portfolio and an oral defense before a faculty panel, mirroring the professional accountability expected in credentialed dental assisting practice.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Case Scenario Launch and Patient-File Construction; Infection-Control Plan and OSHA Compliance Audit; Portfolio Assembly and Peer Review; Oral Defense and Program Integration.
What competent looks like. Construct a complete, accurate patient-care case file—including a simulated medical history review, radiographic series rationale, tray setup documentation, and infection-control compliance checklist—that meets DANB CDA content area standards. Demonstrate correct identification and documentation of dental materials selected for a given procedure, justifying each choice using manufacturer guidelines and clinical criteria studied in the Dental Materials course. Apply OSHA bloodborne-pathogen and hazard-communication standards to a written infection-control plan specific to the simulated case, identifying at least one corrective action for each mock compliance gap presented. Produce a professional portfolio that organizes artifacts from every program course into a coherent narrative of competency growth, suitable for submission to employers and for reference during State Dental Radiology and DANB CDA credential applications. Defend clinical and administrative decisions made in the case study through a structured oral presentation, responding accurately to faculty questions about scope of practice, patient safety, and evidence-based rationale. Evaluate a peer's case documentation using a standardized rubric, providing specific, respectful written feedback that references program and DANB CDA standards.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Case Scenario Launch and Patient-File Construction | 60 | lab | Given a fully detailed simulated patient scenario, the student constructs a compliant patient case file—including medical history flags, procedure-specific tray setup, and a radiographic series justification—that integrates knowledge from Chairside, Radiography, Infection Control, and Dental Materials courses. |
| Simulated patient packet (instructor-created), typodont, basic setup tray, composite placement instruments, matrix systems, articulating paper, light-cure unit, digital radiographic sensor and positioning devices, skull model, infection-control classification reference card (Spaulding categories), DANB CDA Candidate Handbook, program Infection Control and Radiography course notes | Instructor reviews completed patient file against a 20-point checklist covering medical-history flag identification (all critical flags must be identified—0 tolerance for missed allergy or contraindication), tray-setup accuracy (≥ 85 % of instruments correctly chosen and classified), and written radiographic justification (all required projections present with documented ALARA rationale). Students scoring below 85 % overall revise and resubmit within one week before proceeding. |
| 2 | Infection-Control Plan and OSHA Compliance Audit | 54 | practice | The student writes a procedure-specific infection-control plan for the simulated case and conducts a mock OSHA compliance audit of the simulation lab, identifying every seeded deficiency and proposing a documented corrective action for each. |
| CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings (current edition, free CDC download), OSHA Hazard Communication and Bloodborne Pathogen standards summary handout, simulation lab with seeded deficiencies, OSHA dental audit checklist (instructor-created), PPE supplies, sterilization pouches, biological indicator records, SDS binder, mobile device for photography, plain-language communication card template | Written infection-control plan is scored on a rubric (pass = ≥ 85 %): correct PPE specified for each phase (0 tolerance for omitting mask or eye protection), complete instrument-processing pathway with no steps out of sequence, and accurate waste-disposal categories. Audit report must identify all five seeded deficiencies (100 % detection required to pass); each corrective action must name the applicable standard category. Students missing any seeded deficiency repeat the audit with a new deficiency set. |
| 3 | Portfolio Assembly and Peer Review | 54 | practice | The student assembles a professional portfolio organizing evidence from all five prior courses and the capstone case file, then evaluates a peer's portfolio using a standardized rubric and delivers written, criterion-referenced feedback. |
| Portfolio framework guide (instructor-created), three-ring binder or approved digital platform (e.g., Google Sites or PDF compilation), divider tabs, professional résumé template, OSHA 10 card, CPR/first aid card, prior-course competency checkoff sheets, dental-materials reference sheet template, DANB CDA Candidate Handbook (for content-area mapping), state dental board credential requirements summary, peer-review rubric (30-point, instructor-created) | Portfolio completeness is verified against a 30-point rubric; pass = ≥ 85 % (26/30 points). All seven required sections must be present (any missing section = automatic incomplete until submitted). Credential road-map page must correctly list all major DANB CDA exam content areas with at least one artifact mapped to each—instructor verifies accuracy against the current DANB CDA Candidate Handbook. Peer feedback is assessed for specificity and criterion referencing; vague feedback is returned for revision before the portfolio is finalized. |
| 4 | Oral Defense and Program Integration | 48 | field | The student formally presents the completed case study and portfolio to a faculty panel, defending clinical decisions—including scope of practice boundaries, patient safety rationale, and materials selection—with accurate, professional responses to panel questions. |
| Completed portfolio and case file, faculty panel score sheet (oral defense rubric, instructor-created), standardized question bank (instructor-created, mapped to DANB CDA content areas and state dental board scope-of-practice statutes), recording device (phone or tablet, with consent form), timer, shared class document (Google Doc or printed), dental assisting scope-of-practice state summary handout | Oral defense is scored on a faculty rubric (pass = ≥ 85 %): prepared presentation completeness and accuracy (40 points), accuracy of scope-of-practice and patient safety responses (30 points—any statement that describes the student performing a legally prohibited function without noting it is outside scope results in immediate mandatory remediation regardless of overall score), and professional communication and composure (30 points). Students who do not pass the defense meet individually with the program director within five business days to complete a remediation plan before advancing to the Clinical Practicum. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated Patient-Care Case Study | Project | 60% | 85 % overall on the case-study rubric, with 100 % detection of all critical medical-history flags and all seeded infection-control deficiencies; any missed contraindication or missed deficiency requires targeted remediation and resubmission before the portfolio is finalized | The student submits the complete, written case file—including the patient intake documentation, radiographic series justification, tray-setup documentation with infection-control classification, materials justification, and written infection-control and OSHA compliance audit with corrective actions—assembled across Lessons 1 and 2. Scored against a detailed faculty rubric mapped to DANB CDA General Chairside, Radiation Health and Safety, and Infection Control content areas. Meets specification · Within estimate · Workmanship · Safety · Documentation |
| Professional Portfolio | Portfolio | 20% | ≥ 85 % on the 30-point portfolio rubric (26/30 points minimum); all seven required sections must be present and the credential road-map must correctly and completely map artifacts to DANB CDA exam content areas as verified against the current DANB CDA Candidate Handbook | The finalized portfolio—incorporating revisions from peer review and self-reflection—is submitted to the faculty panel at least 48 hours before the oral defense so reviewers can read it in advance. It demonstrates cumulative competency across the entire program and serves as the student's primary career and credential-application document entering the Clinical Practicum. Completeness · Organization · Evidence quality |
| Oral Defense | Oral / panel | 20% | ≥ 85 % on the faculty oral-defense rubric; any response that describes the student performing a legally prohibited dental-assisting function without identifying it as outside their scope results in mandatory remediation regardless of total score | A 20-minute structured oral examination before a faculty panel—comprising a 10-minute prepared case presentation and a 10-minute faculty question period—assesses the student's ability to explain, justify, and defend clinical decisions; articulate scope-of-practice and patient-safety boundaries; and communicate professionally. This assessment mirrors the professional accountability expected in credentialed dental assisting practice and prepares students for the verbal communication component of employer interviews and clinical supervision. Explains decisions · Answers technical questions · Professional communication |
HLT-DENT40-07 Externship / clinical
Clinical Practicum: Supervised Dental Assisting Externship
324 hr · $1,295 COMPLIMENTARY
Students complete 324 supervised hours at an approved dental office or clinic, applying chairside assisting, radiography, infection control, and dental materials skills under the direct oversight of a licensed dentist or supervising dental professional. Employer evaluators assess competency on real patients across all major clinical tasks introduced in prior coursework. This externship bridges classroom preparation and entry-level employment, fulfilling the field experience requirement that supports both DANB CDA eligibility and State Dental Radiology licensure documentation.
Outcomes- Perform four-handed chairside assisting during routine and restorative procedures, maintaining instrument transfer technique and oral evacuation to the satisfaction of the supervising dentist.
- Expose, process, and mount diagnostic-quality periapical, bitewing, and panoramic radiographs in compliance with state radiation safety regulations and employer protocols, with a radiation error rate below program threshold.
- Execute all infection control procedures—including surface disinfection, instrument sterilization, and personal protective equipment use—in full conformance with OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standards and CDC guidelines on every patient encounter.
- Mix and manipulate dental materials (impression materials, cements, composites, and amalgam where permitted by state scope) correctly and within working time on actual clinical cases.
- Document clinical activities accurately in daily log entries and submit records sufficient for employer evaluation and program completion verification.
- Demonstrate professional conduct, punctuality, and patient communication skills rated satisfactory or above on the employer midpoint and final evaluation rubrics.
Course text
Students complete 324 supervised hours at an approved dental office or clinic, applying chairside assisting, radiography, infection control, and dental materials skills under the direct oversight of a licensed dentist or supervising dental professional. Employer evaluators assess competency on real patients across all major clinical tasks introduced in prior coursework. This externship bridges classroom preparation and entry-level employment, fulfilling the field experience requirement that supports both DANB CDA eligibility and State Dental Radiology licensure documentation.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Externship Orientation and Site Integration; Chairside Assisting and Radiography in Practice; Infection Control, Materials Handling, and Expanded Clinical Duties; Professional Practice, Final Evaluation, and Log Completion.
What competent looks like. Perform four-handed chairside assisting during routine and restorative procedures, maintaining instrument transfer technique and oral evacuation to the satisfaction of the supervising dentist. Expose, process, and mount diagnostic-quality periapical, bitewing, and panoramic radiographs in compliance with state radiation safety regulations and employer protocols, with a radiation error rate below program threshold. Execute all infection control procedures—including surface disinfection, instrument sterilization, and personal protective equipment use—in full conformance with OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standards and CDC guidelines on every patient encounter. Mix and manipulate dental materials (impression materials, cements, composites, and amalgam where permitted by state scope) correctly and within working time on actual clinical cases. Document clinical activities accurately in daily log entries and submit records sufficient for employer evaluation and program completion verification. Demonstrate professional conduct, punctuality, and patient communication skills rated satisfactory or above on the employer midpoint and final evaluation rubrics.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Externship Orientation and Site Integration | 40 | field | The student will orient to the externship site by completing required paperwork, shadowing all clinical roles, and demonstrating understanding of site-specific emergency protocols and scope-of-practice boundaries before performing any patient-contact tasks independently. |
| Site orientation packet, program extern agreement, HIPAA acknowledgment form, site-specific emergency procedures binder, student daily log booklet, pen. | Supervisor signs off that all onboarding documents are complete and correct; student reflection log receives a satisfactory rating from the program coordinator; student correctly describes their role in at least two emergency scenarios during a verbal check — all three items must be complete before the student advances to independent patient-contact tasks. |
| 2 | Chairside Assisting and Radiography in Practice | 160 | field | The student will assist in a minimum of 80 patient appointments across procedure types—including examinations, restorations, extractions, and prophylaxis support—and produce diagnostic-quality radiographs on assigned patients, logged and evaluated by the site supervisor. |
| Dental treatment units and instruments at externship site, HVE and saliva ejector tips, digital radiography sensors or film and processing equipment, lead apron and thyroid collar, PPE (gloves, mask, protective eyewear, gown), clinical evaluation rubric, radiography log, daily activity log. | Student logs a minimum of 80 patient appointments with supervisor initials on each entry; radiography log shows at least 20 completed series with a retake rate not exceeding the program maximum; supervisor midpoint evaluation score meets or exceeds the 'satisfactory' threshold on all chairside and radiography competency items — any item rated 'needs improvement' triggers a remediation plan before the final 80 hours begin. |
| 3 | Infection Control, Materials Handling, and Expanded Clinical Duties | 100 | field | The student will consistently execute all infection control protocols and dental materials procedures across all assigned patient appointments without prompting, and will perform additional clinical duties within their state's permitted scope of practice as directed by the supervising dentist. |
| Autoclave or sterilization unit at site, sterilization packaging, biological and chemical indicators, sterilization log, dental materials and mixing pads/spatulas appropriate to site inventory, PPE, state scope-of-practice reference card (provided by program), expanded-duties section of daily log. | Sterilization log shows no missed cycle documentation on any assigned day and supervisor confirms at least three observed spot-checks rated satisfactory; materials entries in the daily log cover at least five distinct material types with supervisor initials; expanded-duties log shows at least ten entries with supervising dentist signature — deficiencies in any category must be corrected before the final employer evaluation is submitted. |
| 4 | Professional Practice, Final Evaluation, and Log Completion | 24 | field | The student will compile and submit a complete externship log documenting all 324 hours and clinical task counts, and will receive a passing final employer evaluation score that confirms readiness for entry-level employment. |
| Completed externship log booklet, employer final evaluation rubric, log audit checklist, program externship completion form, reflection prompt sheet. | Externship log is verified complete (324 hours with all required supervisor signatures and task minimums met); employer final evaluation achieves a passing score (no individual competency rated 'unsatisfactory' on the final rubric); professional reflection receives a satisfactory rating from the program coordinator for specificity and connection to credential content areas — all three elements must be passed for the student to receive course credit. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employer Clinical Evaluation (Midpoint and Final) | Clinical evaluation | 70% | All competency items rated 'Satisfactory' or above on the final evaluation rubric; any item rated 'Needs Improvement' at midpoint requires a written remediation plan; any item rated 'Unsatisfactory' on the final evaluation results in an incomplete grade and requires additional supervised hours. | The site supervisor completes a program-standardized rubric at the midpoint (approximately 160 hours) and again at the close of the externship (324 hours), rating the student on chairside assisting technique, radiography quality, infection control compliance, materials handling, expanded duties performance, professional conduct, communication, punctuality, and patient interaction. Ratings and written comments are submitted to the program coordinator and become the primary clinical competency record for externship completion. Competency · Safety · Attendance · Conduct · Initiative |
| Externship Daily Log and Documentation Portfolio | Log | 30% | Log is 100% complete with supervisor initials on every entry, all task minimums are met (at minimum 80 patient appointments, 20 radiographic series, 5 material types, 10 expanded-duty procedures where scope permits), hour total equals 324, and the professional reflection is rated satisfactory — any missing element must be resolved before a passing grade is awarded. | The student maintains a daily log booklet throughout all 324 externship hours, recording the date, hours worked, procedures observed or performed, materials handled, radiographs exposed, sterilization cycles run, and supervisor initials for each entry; the completed log, final employer evaluation rubric, externship completion form, and professional reflection are submitted together as a documentation portfolio that serves as the official record of externship completion for both program credentialing purposes and, where required, as supporting documentation for state dental radiology licensure applications. Complete · Verified |
HLT-DENT40-08 Exam prep
Certification Exam Preparation: CDA and State Dental Radiology
90 hr · $900 COMPLIMENTARY
This course systematically reviews every content domain tested on the DANB CDA credential and the State Dental Radiology license exam, using spaced repetition, timed practice questions, and full-length mock exams to build accuracy and confidence. Students identify personal knowledge gaps early, target structured review to those areas, and demonstrate exam-ready competency before sitting for their credentials. Emphasis is placed on exam strategy, professional ethics, and scope-of-practice reasoning as they apply to real dental assisting scenarios.
Outcomes- Correctly answer practice questions across all DANB CDA content domains—General Chairside Assisting, Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), and Infection Control (ICE)—at or above the DANB-published passing standard on two consecutive timed mock exams.
- Demonstrate safe, regulation-compliant radiographic technique and radiation-protection knowledge on State Dental Radiology mock exams at or above the state board passing threshold.
- Apply a systematic test-taking strategy—eliminating distractors, flagging uncertain items, and managing time—to complete full-length timed exams within the allotted period.
- Analyze personal diagnostic score reports to identify weak content areas and construct a targeted self-study plan using approved references and practice question banks.
- Articulate the scope of practice, ethical obligations, and patient safety responsibilities of a certified dental assistant as framed by DANB eligibility requirements and state dental practice acts.
- Complete all required DANB application documentation and state board application materials accurately before the program end date.
Course text
This course systematically reviews every content domain tested on the DANB CDA credential and the State Dental Radiology license exam, using spaced repetition, timed practice questions, and full-length mock exams to build accuracy and confidence. Students identify personal knowledge gaps early, target structured review to those areas, and demonstrate exam-ready competency before sitting for their credentials. Emphasis is placed on exam strategy, professional ethics, and scope-of-practice reasoning as they apply to real dental assisting scenarios.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Diagnostic Baseline and Exam Blueprint Orientation; Domain-by-Domain Content Review: Chairside, Infection Control, and Radiology; Exam Strategy, Application Logistics, and Ethics; Full-Length Mock Certification Exams and Final Remediation.
What competent looks like. Correctly answer practice questions across all DANB CDA content domains—General Chairside Assisting, Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), and Infection Control (ICE)—at or above the DANB-published passing standard on two consecutive timed mock exams. Demonstrate safe, regulation-compliant radiographic technique and radiation-protection knowledge on State Dental Radiology mock exams at or above the state board passing threshold. Apply a systematic test-taking strategy—eliminating distractors, flagging uncertain items, and managing time—to complete full-length timed exams within the allotted period. Analyze personal diagnostic score reports to identify weak content areas and construct a targeted self-study plan using approved references and practice question banks. Articulate the scope of practice, ethical obligations, and patient safety responsibilities of a certified dental assistant as framed by DANB eligibility requirements and state dental practice acts. Complete all required DANB application documentation and state board application materials accurately before the program end date.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diagnostic Baseline and Exam Blueprint Orientation | 10 | theory | Students map each DANB CDA content domain and State Dental Radiology exam topic to their own knowledge baseline by completing a scored diagnostic assessment and reviewing official exam blueprints. |
| DANB CDA Candidate Handbook (current edition, danb.org); state dental radiology candidate information bulletin; 120-question diagnostic question bank (instructor-prepared, referenced to Elsevier's Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach and Torres & Ehrlich Modern Dental Assisting); gap analysis worksheet; pencils; student binders for exam notes. | Each student submits a completed gap analysis form with three identified weak domains and a written study schedule; instructor verifies that the schedule addresses every major blueprint domain. Pass mark: all sections of the form completed accurately and study schedule reviewed and signed by instructor before Lesson 2 begins. |
| 2 | Domain-by-Domain Content Review: Chairside, Infection Control, and Radiology | 40 | theory | Students review the factual and procedural content of every major exam domain—dental anatomy, chairside procedures, sterilization and infection control, radiation physics, technique, and safety—using spaced repetition and collaborative questioning to reach at least 80 percent accuracy on end-of-domain practice sets. |
| Torres & Ehrlich Modern Dental Assisting (current edition); Frommer & Stabulas-Savage Radiology for the Dental Professional (current edition); typodont; extracted tooth models; radiograph mounts with diagnostic and substandard images; sterilization scenario cards; laminated domain study cards; DANB CDA content area outline; state radiology content outline; rationale journals; whiteboard. | End-of-domain 20-question quizzes scored by student and reviewed by instructor; students must reach 80 percent or above on each domain quiz before that domain is considered mastered. Any domain below 80 percent triggers a mandatory second-attempt quiz after targeted re-study. Instructor reviews rationale journals weekly; substantive entries required for each incorrect item. |
| 3 | Exam Strategy, Application Logistics, and Ethics | 10 | theory | Students apply evidence-based test-taking strategies—time management, distractor elimination, and item flagging—and complete all credential application steps, while articulating scope-of-practice and ethical principles that appear as exam content. |
| DANB CDA Candidate Handbook (current edition); state dental board application instructions; DANB Code of Professional Conduct; state dental practice act summary handout (instructor-prepared from official state board website); 40-question timed practice set; personal credential application checklist template; timer; projector. | Students submit a completed personal credential application checklist with all required documentation steps identified and target submission date recorded; instructor reviews for accuracy and completeness. On the 40-question timed strategy practice set, students must attempt all 40 items within the allotted time and score at least 75 percent. Both items must be satisfactory before Lesson 4 begins. |
| 4 | Full-Length Mock Certification Exams and Final Remediation | 30 | practice | Students complete two full-length, timed mock exams—one simulating the DANB CDA and one simulating the State Dental Radiology exam—under controlled conditions, then use scored results to complete a final targeted remediation cycle before the program end date. |
| Mock Exam 1 question set (instructor-prepared, domain-weighted per current DANB CDA blueprint); Mock Exam 2 question set (instructor-prepared, aligned to state radiology content outline); projected radiograph images for image-based items; answer sheets; pencils; timer; Torres & Ehrlich Modern Dental Assisting; Frommer & Stabulas-Savage Radiology for the Dental Professional; rationale journals; domain study cards; score report summary template. | Mock Exam 1 (CDA simulation): student must score at or above 75 percent overall with no individual content domain below 70 percent. Mock Exam 2 (State Radiology simulation): student must score at or above 75 percent. Students who do not meet these benchmarks complete the remediation session and the 30-question retake quiz; retake quiz pass mark is 80 percent. Final program completion requires both mock exam benchmarks met (on original or retake attempt) and all rationale-journal entries completed. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Length Mock Certification Exam Suite | Mock certification exam | 100% | 75 percent or above on both the DANB CDA simulation and the State Dental Radiology simulation, with no individual DANB content domain below 70 percent; students who fall below benchmark on one exam must pass a targeted 30-question domain retake at 80 percent or above. | Students complete two separate full-length, timed, proctored mock exams—one simulating the DANB CDA (covering General Chairside Assisting, Radiation Health and Safety, and Infection Control) and one simulating the State Dental Radiology exam (including image-based radiograph evaluation)—under strict no-notes, no-phone conditions that replicate actual credentialing test environments. Scores are reported by content domain so students receive actionable feedback, and a structured remediation pathway is available for any student who does not meet the passing benchmark on the first attempt. Score · Time management |
Program completion
External credential: DANB CDA; State Dental Radiology
Students sit the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination and their state dental radiology licensing examination administered by the applicable state dental or health licensing board. Pass standard: Credential issued by the body.
Back to Dental Assisting · How the school gets authority to award these credentials
