Institute:Office of National Coordinator (ONC) Workforce Training Curriculum
Component:The Culture of Health Care
Unit:Health Professionals The People in Health Care
Lecture:Physician assistants, Pharmacists, Therapists, Technicians, Paramedics, Dental Professionals, Mental Health Professionals, Care Coordinators
Non-clinical IT/Informatics Roles for Clinicians
Effects of Changing Care Models on Clinicians
Slide content:Dental Health Dental Assistant Education On the Job Certificate Associates degree Certification Certified Dental Assistant Exam Licensure Varies by state Dental Hygienist Education Associates degree Bachelor s degree Licensure National Dental Hygiene Board Exam State clinical board 20
Slide notes:Dental assistants provide aid to a dentist, including setup and assistance with dental exams and procedures and equipment maintenance and sterilization. Some dental assistants take on additional duties, such performing x-rays and polishing or restoration, but many states require additional training and licensure. Dental assistant programs range in length, including the time requirement for on-the-job training, but all Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA [koh-duh]) approved programs are one-year diploma or certificate programs or two-year associates degrees. You must graduate from a CODA approved program to be eligible to sit for the Certified Dental Assistant Exam administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Incorporated. Most states that require licensure or registration require candidates to be a certified dental assistant. Dental assistants work under the supervision of a dentist. A dental hygienist [ hahy- jen -ist ] usually completes an associates or bachelors degree program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Education usually includes the typical preclinical health courses of biology, chemistry, microbiology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and sometimes radiology. Practical courses emphasize dental pathology [ puh - thol -uh- jee ], periodontology [per- ee -oh-don- tol -uh- jee ], dental materials, and dental hygiene. Although all states accept the National Dental Hygiene Board Exam administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, some states require additional testing and have other eligibility criteria. Dental hygienists are generally under the supervision of a dentist. Many states do not require the dentist to be present while the dental hygienist is conducting procedures. 20