Curriculum

Online Dental Assistant Training Curriculum

Designed to prepare your employees for success as entry-level dental assistants, the online program curriculum covers the essential skills they’ll need on the job from dental terminology to scheduling patient appointments.

Dental Assistant

Career Diploma

Accredited

Full Program Overview

10 courses
27.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
16 exams

Estimated completion time:

Fast track = 3 months
Average time = 7 months

The estimated completion times are based on completion times for consumer learners enrolled in this program from May 2021 - April 2022, excluding withdrawals. Enterprise Solution rates may be higher but are highly dependent upon implementation choices.

In this course, your learners will develop the necessary skills to ensure their success in the program. They’ll learn how they can improve their study skills so they're able to use a number of tools that will help them be successful.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to do the following:
- Identify skills needed to be a confident and independent online learner
This course introduces your learners to dentistry, dental assisting, and being a part of the dental team. They’ll learn some of the history of dentistry, beginning with the Egyptians and continuing through the ages. They’ll read about the origins of inventions and the predecessors of modern equipment.

Your learners will also learn to identify the members of the dental team and their duties. The different types of dental offices and their separate areas will be described. The professional qualifications and responsibilities of a dental assistant will be addressed, along with a look at how licensure is managed.

By the end of this lesson, your learners will be able to do the following:
- Identify the pioneers of modern dentistry and career opportunities
- Recognize members of the dental health team and their offices
In this course, your learners will analyze varying dental terminology, including the oral cavity, dental anatomy, and tooth morphology.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to do the following:
- Identify terminology and anatomy in dentistry
- Analyze cavities and how to chart
In this course, your learners will review preventive dentistry and how nutrition impacts it. They’ll also identify how dental law and ethics applies in the office.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to do the following:
- Identify the importance of preventive dentistry and how nutrition affects it
- Analyze dental law and ethics in the dental office
In this course, your learners will learn about the different facets of the dental operatory, including patients, instrumentation, and moisture control. They’ll also review disease transmission, pathology, and dental emergencies. Finally, they'll review how to control infection in dentistry.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to do the following:
- Identify the facets of the dental operatory
- Analyze disease transmission, pathology, and dental emergencies
- Describe how to control infection in dentistry
In this course, your learners will first learn about OSHA regulations and how they’re applied in the dental office. Next, they'll discuss radiology. Your learners will read dental film, diagnose radiographs, and process radiographs.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to do the following:
- Define OSHA regulations and how they’re applied in the dental office
- Describe radiology and reading dental film
- Analyze how to diagnose radiographs and how to process an exposed radiograph
In this course, your learners will learn the basics of pharmacology and its relationship to the dental profession. Your learners will learn various components and methods of how to prepare and administer anesthesia safely. They’ll learn about dental restorative materials and how they’re used in restorations, and they’ll find out about dental impression materials.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to do the following:
- Explain how pharmacology and anesthesiology relate to the dental assistant role
- Describe various basic dental materials used in dental procedures
- Describe various impression materials
In this course, your learners will learn about endodontics and periodontics the field of dentistry that deals with the tissues that surround the teeth. They’ll be introduced to the specialties of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics and the specialties of prosthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to do the following:
- Explain conditions, diagnoses, instruments, and various procedures involved with endodontic and periodontal dentistry
- Discuss various procedures, conditions and treatments in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics
- Discuss procedures performed in a prosthodontic office and procedures for oral and maxillofacial surgeries
In this course, your learners will learn professional communication skills such as interpersonal communication, the eight levels of relating to others, conflict resolution, and how to greet patients. This course will also discuss how to maintain the reception area and professional skills needed for business administration for the dental assistant.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to do the following:
- Analyze professional communication skills
- Discuss professional skills needed by a dental assistant for business administration of a dental office
In this course, your learners will learn professional communication skills such as interpersonal communication, the eight levels of relating to others, conflict resolution, and how to greet patients. This course will also discuss how to maintain the reception area and professional skills needed for business administration for the dental assistant.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to do the following:
- Analyze professional communication skills
- Discuss professional skills needed by a dental assistant for business administration of a dental office
In this course, your learners will learn how to use appointment modules, account modules, chart and image modules, and how to manage employee information. They’ll learn the importance of maintaining a professional appearance and continuing professional development. This course also provides information on how to search for employment opportunities and what the next steps are once your learners locate employment opportunities.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to do the following:
- Analyze appointment modules, account modules, chart and image modules, and managing employee information
- Discuss professional appearance, professional development, and locating employment opportunities