Academy Courses, Competencies
& Graduation
Dental Depot Academy of Dental Assisting is designed to prepare students for work in fast-paced dental offices. The program teaches students dental theory, the dental assistant’s role as a team member, their legal responsibility, ethical behavior, and professional conduct, as well as the clinical techniques and skills needed to perform in the dental office.
Program Structure & Schedule
Dental Depot Academy of Dental Assisting is a 12-Week program that is offered three times per year. Our 2021 Courses Schedule is:
- Spring: January 4th – March 26th
- Summer: May 3rd – July 23rd
- Fall: August 30th – November 22nd
The program runs Monday through Friday, with alternating classroom and clinical rotation days.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8am – Noon in the classroom
- Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 7:45am to Noon in clinical rotations in Dental Depot offices.
The program consists of 100 classroom hours and 124.50 clinical hours
of dental assisting curriculum.
Program Courses
Introduction to the profession of dental assisting, with a survey of the history, dental terminology; introduction to the techniques of prevention, infection control, patient communication and motivation; Procedures in vital signs, medical emergencies, handling of special-needs and medically compromised patients
Application of beginning principles and procedures of chairside assisting for individual dental procedures; Beginning clinical practice of general assisting techniques applying 4-handed dentistry concepts with patient contact.
An overview of dental anatomy with the familiarity level of basic structures of the oral cavity, terminology, and tooth morphology; embryology and histology of the head and oral cavity. A basic survey of the head and neck anatomy; basic introduction to oral pathology and pharmacology will be covered.
An overview of basic dental materials including terminology, chemical and mechanical properties of material application used in dentistry. A lab practice.
An overview of basic principles of radiograph generation, equipment, imaging sensors, image development, and radiation safety. Use of Dental Software for scanning images. Radiation Safety course is taken with the Oklahoma Dental Foundation. Included is clinical application of exposing acceptable and diagnostic dental radiographs once radiation safety exam is successfully completed. Oklahoma Board of Dentistry requires 200 dental radiographs be exposed for the dental assistant to become certified in Radiation Safety. For more information, click here.
A survey of basic dental practice management, including basic business and office procedures. Application of dental software use for basic front office procedures; basic insurance codes and front office duties will be taught. Ethical and legal aspects of dentistry including the Oklahoma dental assistant’s functions. Implementation of skills for seeking employment including resume design.
An introduction of principles and procedures of the recognized dental specialties; an application of dental assisting chairside and clinical techniques of the dental specialties are introduced.
A continuance of Clinical Procedures I with an addition of chairside dental assisting in recognized dental specialties; clinical application with patient contact is continued and more advanced.
Final applied clinical experience with chairside assisting in 4-handed dentistry, radiographic techniques, and assisting during specialty procedures.
To qualify for graduation from the Academy, the dental assisting student must have:
- Earned a “C” or better in the didactic, lab and clinical courses.
- Successful completion of each course in the Academy.
- Paid all fees and fines owed to the Academy.
- Returned any Academy equipment and materials checked out to the student.
Certifications
Dentistry is regulated by the individual dental board of each state.
Clinical Expanded Duties for dental assistants: In the state of Oklahoma the four recognized dental assisting expanded duties are as follows:
- Radiation Safety
- Coronal Polishing
- Sealant Placement
- Assisting with Nitrous Oxide Analgesia
During the program, Dental Depot Academy will arrange with the Oklahoma Dental Foundation (ODF) to take the Radiation Safety course and exam to obtain an expanded duty certificate in Radiation Safety. All other expanded duty certificates will be obtained after completion of the program.
CPR provided by the American Heart Association/Health Care Provider or the American Red Cross/Professional Rescuer is a prerequisite for a dental assistant with any expanded duty permit.
Employment Opportunities
Dental Depot Academy students are uniquely positioned to take advantage of career opportunities in dental assisting with Dental Depot’s clinical practices upon graduation.
Though not included in the Dental Depot Academy curriculum, there are three additional expanded duties dental assistants may pursue through the Oklahoma Dental Foundation. Click here for more information.
Have Questions About Dental Depot Academy?
We’re here to help. Send us an email at rgraham@dentaldepot.net or call at 405-296-6123
