Dental Assistant

This course will provide the foundation for the certified dental assistant program. Material presented will allow students to study, relate and provide information from general and dental sciences to every subject and skill included in this program. Students will learn the vocabulary to understand and discuss conditions related to structure and function of the body and oral cavity as well as a basic understanding of the dental tissues and pathologic conditions or disturbances in development. Students will receive an overview of the oral cavity and an introduction to the recording protocols required for accurate documentation in a dental office.

The Dental Office and Reception Skills course is designed to provide the student learner with the information and practical knowledge related to the business procedures in a dental practice. The basic concepts of patient and office communication presented will enable dental assisting students to become more effective communicators in every aspect of their lives and their job. Information presented will include; fundamental strategies for successful living, personal and professional communication, conflict resolution and critical thinking and motivational teaching.

This course will provide the dental assisting student with foundational knowledge and skills necessary for assisting with diagnostic procedures. This will include how to obtain diagnostic records necessary for comprehensive treatment plans including obtaining preliminary impressions, fabrication of study models, and the taking of intra and extra-oral photographs. The fundamental theory of dental radiography will be introduced as an introduction to the second term, radiographic techniques.

The Infection Prevention and Control course presents to the dental assisting student, foundation knowledge of bacteria and the microorganisms. Students will be able to discuss microbial growth in relation to the prevention of cross contamination in the dental office and will be presented with precautions for the patient and all dental health care workers. The use of safety and clinical techniques including barriers, surface cleaners, disinfectants and effective sterilization equipment and procedures will be studied in detail by students in the dental assisting program. Additionally, the students will be introduced to the quality assurance protocols and conflict of interest as deemed necessary by the professional regulatory authorities. Students will be required to apply waste management protocols within the dental office setting.

This course will provide students with a fundamental understanding of diseases of the oral cavity through a person’s life, their clinical manifestations, and the knowledge and skills necessary to detect and differentiate oral tissue anatomy deviations from the norm.

This course introduces students to the principles of dental pharmacology, terminology, and the classification of drugs as they apply in a dental context. Medical conditions and the use of various pharmaceuticals, their physiological actions and negative reactions, and their relationship to dental care will be examined.

This course will provide foundational knowledge in basic charting, recording and the use of drugs and medications in dental practice. Students will be given opportunities to interpret, record and review medical and treatment histories with the intention of preventing a medical emergency from occurring. If a crisis situation should arise during dental treatment the student will be prepared to assist as part of the emergency response team. Information will be presented on CPR, first aid and the standards required of a dental practice.

This course will provide the dental assisting student with the historical background and operating principles of the dental profession. Students will learn about professional organizations and the legislation and scope of practice for dental assistants in the province of British Columbia. Subject material will focus on theory, principles and practical application of restorative dentistry and will provide an introduction to chairside assisting and intra oral skills and the identification, function and maintenance of instruments and equipment found in dental offices.

This course is designed to introduce theoretical and pre-clinical knowledge and dexterity in preparation for delivery of Preventative services and exposing radiographs. Content includes assessment of patient oral hygiene and treatment planning techniques. Students will study the nutrition and dental health needs of the patient and be able to plan and implement nutritional counselling for an individual or a community dental health program. The course will allow the dental assisting student to develop clinical dexterity on manikins and classmates for the intra oral skills, exposing radiographs, coronal polish, topical fluoride application, pit and fissure sealant application and reduction and desensitization. All skills will be practiced in preparation for patient treatment clinics in Term III.

This course presents basic information about prosthetic dental procedures intended to return damaged or missing dentition to normal function. Students will learn the clinical procedures and related dental materials associated with each treatment area. Dental laboratory skills performed by the dental assistant and those assigned to the technician will be covered. Students will learn to fabricate tooth whitening trays and protective mouth guards as well as provide patient instruction regarding home whitening procedures. Time will be provided for practice of intra-oral and chairside skills to enable students to feel confident assisting in a prosthodontic practice.

The Clinical Practice II course allows students in the dental assisting program the opportunity to apply theoretical material from Term I courses into clinical situations and progress to the dental materials and treatment procedures involved in restorative dentistry. Students will practice chairside skills until they are able to demonstrate an acceptable level of competence and receive practice and evaluation on selected intra oral skills. The focus of the course will be on chairside assisting skills that requires anticipation of the dentists’ needs and the student’s ability to deliver instruments and materials required with maximum efficiency.

This course will provide the dental assisting student with a basic knowledge of the special disciplines of dentistry including Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Forensic Odontology. Each section will place specific emphasis on the functions of the dental assistant as a chairside participant in treatment procedures.

This course will provide the dental assisting student with a continuation of the fundamentals of office administration for a dental practice. Information covered will include the interpersonal relations between members of the dental team, conflict resolution, office appointment protocol, maintenance of dental office records and inventory, payroll, written correspondence including the composition of a resume and letter of introduction and interview skills.

Students in the dental assisting program will provide dental services for patients where they will be able to practice and demonstrate competency in preventive and intra oral skills that are permitted for dental assistants in the province of British Columbia. Students will demonstrate the ability to plan and relate instruction for oral hygiene and self-care as introduced in courses from Term I and Term II. Services in the Centre’s dental clinic will be performed in accordance with standard licensing regulations.

Students will work under the direct supervision of the dentist in a general dental practice. Students will apply and build on the skills learned in assisting chairside with instrumentation preparation, sterilization, infection prevention and safety practices. Students will also assist with office and patient management.

Dental assistants provide support to dentists and dental hygienists. They prepare patients for treatment and sterilize instruments.

A dental assistant certificate prepares you for work in various settings. Graduates typically work in private dental clinics and specialized practices. You can also find employment in community dental health clinics or hospitals.

The National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) exam is a national test. Passing this exam is a requirement for dental assistants in most Canadian provinces. It proves that a candidate meets the national standard for clinical and academic knowledge.

The job outlook for dental assistants in Canada is good. The demand for dental services continues to grow as the public prioritizes oral health. This creates a steady need for qualified professionals in the field.

A dental assistant primarily supports the dentist during procedures. They handle administrative tasks and prepare the treatment room. A dental hygienist performs more direct patient care. They clean teeth, take X-rays, and provide oral hygiene instructions.

No, prior dental experience is not required to enter our program. The curriculum is designed to teach all the necessary skills from the beginning. It provides the foundational knowledge and hands-on training you need to start a career.