Not applicable.

PROGRAM MISSION

The Rio Salado College Clinical Dental Assisting Program provides accessible, innovative, high-quality education, fostering ethically responsible students to support the field of dentistry with a foundation of dedication to on-going assessment and community service.

PROGRAM GOALS

The goals of the Rio Salado College dental assisting program are to:

• Prepare graduates who possess the skills and knowledge to competently, legally, and ethically support the field of dentistry.
• Provide a curriculum that facilitates instructional strategies that enhance student learning.
• Provide graduates a learning environment that fosters a commitment to scientific inquiry, life-long learning, community service, and   professional development.

PROGRAM COMPETENCIES:

• Analyze the role of dental team members in the delivery of dental care.
• Relate the regulation of dental assistants pursuant to state laws and regulations.
• Describe the roles of professional and safety organizations associated with dentistry.
• Use effective interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrate effective patient management skills.
• Perform skills within the business practice management systems of a dental practice.
• Complete dental charts.
• Perform intra and extra oral preliminary dental examinations.
• Perform accepted infection control and safety procedures in compliance with the Bloodborne Pathogens Standards and Hazard Communication Standard.
• Identify and describe anatomical structures and stages of development.
• Identify and describe histological structures of oral tissues, diseases and developmental anomalies associated with dentistry.
• Explain the processes of inflammatory, regeneration and repair of tissues.
• Obtain vital signs and medical/dental history information.
• Demonstrate the ability to assist with medical emergencies in a dental office.
• Explain uses, effects and components of pharmaceutical agents used in dentistry.
• Manipulate, maintain, and explain physical properties of dental materials.
• Practice taking preliminary impressions, study casts, and occlusal registrations for the purpose of study and working model fabrication.
• Operate and maintain dental equipment.
• Demonstrate knowledge of radiation health and safety measures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of exposing, processing, and mounting radiographs.
• Produce diagnostically acceptable radiographs using radiation health and safety measures for patients and operators.
• Prepare dental instrument systems for general procedures.
• Perform clinical chairside dental assisting functions in the delivery of general procedures.
• Demonstrate providing patients with oral hygiene instructions and nutritional counseling.
• Identify and describe the major systems in the human body and their functions.
• Identify and describe clinical chairside expanded dental assisting functions.
• Perform clinical chairside expanded dental assisting functions.
• Identify and describe specialty dental procedures.
• Prepare dental instrument systems for specialty procedures.
• Perform clinical chairside dental assisting functions in the delivery of specialty dental procedures.
• Analyze procedures and outcomes associated with specialty dental procedures.
• Demonstrate effective writing skills.
• Demonstrate ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Summarize the importance of effective communication skills in a dental office.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills with patients and dental office staff.

For the complete alignment of program competencies visit Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation (CCTA).

Once a student has completed their didactic coursework and at home lab skill assignments, they attend an in-person clinical course which summarizes their learning in an assessment based clinical setting.  The course is held at the Rio Salado College School of Dental Hygiene and is conducted over a 2-day weekend.  This allows students who do not live in the Phoenix metropolitan area the ability to travel and attend the course and complete their clinical requirements.  During the course students are evaluated for competency of lab skills and also have the opportunity to practice taking radiographs and sitting chairside with a dentist while performing restorative procedures.    

The clinical experience is the final check point for students prior to obtaining an internship site.  The course prepares the student for “real world” dental assisting.  Students exit the course prepared to enter the workforce as an entry level dental assistant and have gained the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed!

During the 2008-2009 Academic Year, 46 students attempted the practicum with 46 students completing, resulting in a 100% pass rate.

2008 - 2009 Dental Assisting Nation Board Exam Results:                                               

Radiation Health and Safety Exam

 Rio’s Average Performance – 477

All-Accredited Programs  in AZ – 454

All – Accredited Programs in USA – 471

All Other Candidates – 450

Infection Control Exam                                              

Rio’s Average Performance – 537

All - Accredited Programs  in AZ – 529

All - Accredited Programs in USA – 549

All Other Candidates – 511