Peak Dental Assisting School Curriculum

Lecture 1 - Introduction to the Profession

You will be introduced to the profession of Dentistry and the dental health team's responsibilities, including the dentist, hygienist, front-office personnel, and back-office personnel.

Lecture 2- Ethical and Legal Issues

You will learn the ethics governing dentistry and the various governmental agencies entrusted with the regulation of the dental profession to ensure and protect the public from incompetent and unethical practices. Topics include licensure procedures and credentialing.

Lecture 3 – Infection Control for the Dental Assistant

You will learn the principles of properly preparing yourself and others to prevent infection control and the spread of diseases in the dental office. Topics include; government regulating agencies, infection control guidelines, proper PPE, and how to safely dispose of and transport various waste.

Lecture 4 - Dental Radiography

You will learn the basic principles of X-Ray. The operating principle of the X-Ray machine is also discussed. Topics also include types of film exposures and film processing errors.

Lecture 5 - Human Dentition

You will learn the form and structures of the human natural teeth in the dental arch. Topics also include the method of identifying teeth by using the Universal Numbering System for permanent and primary teeth.

Lecture 6 - Composition of Teeth and Tissues Surrounding the Teeth

You will learn the different parts of the teeth and the tissues supporting them. Topics include the cervix, apex, dental pulp, tissues of the teeth such as enamel, dentin, and cementum as well as the alveolar process, the periodontal ligament, and the gingiva. This course also includes a discussion of anatomical landmarks of the tooth and dental terminology.

Lecture 7 - Oral Pathology

You will learn the nature of diseases that affect oral structures and regions nearby. Topics include discussion on how to distinguish normal from abnormal conditions in the oral cavity.

Lecture 8 - Oral Cavity and Salivary Glands

You will learn about the cavity of the mouth and the salivary glands which are located outside the oral cavity. Topics include a discussion of oral lesions that can be found in the oral cavity.

Lecture 9 - Dental Materials

You will learn about various materials used in dentistry. Topics include cavity varnishes and liners, dental cements, surgical cements/periodontal dressing, glass ionomer cements, composites, sealants, and dental amalgams.

Lecture 10 - Pediatric Dentistry

In this course, you will learn the special requirements a healthcare provider needs prior to treating children. Topics include informed consent from guardians, behavioral management of children during treatment, and common pediatric dental procedures.

Lecture 11 - Fixed Prosthodontics

Complete restoration, or the replacement, of one or more teeth in a dental arch. You will learn the different types of fixed prosthodontics restorations.

Lecture 12 – Endodontics

More commonly referred to as root canal therapy, you will learn the steps in a root canal procedure and the different instruments and materials required.

Lecture 13 - Topical and Local Anesthesia

Application of anesthetics to oral tissues. You will learn the properties of anesthesia and when and where they are used.

Lecture 14 – Orthodontics

Prevention and correction of dental and oral deviations. In this course, you will learn the various types and causes of malformations and malocclusions and how they are corrected.

Lecture 15 – Periodontics

Deals with the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases which is the most common cause of tooth loss. You will learn the causes of periodontal disease, its symptoms, examination procedures, and treatment.

Lecture 16 - Oral Surgery

Involves the removal of teeth, treating jaw fractures, bone and tissue grafts, the removal of tumors and cysts, and the reconstruction of oral and dental deformities. In this course, you will learn the various procedures and instruments used in oral surgery.

Lecture 17 - Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office

In this course, you will learn how to respond to medical emergencies and the risks associated with providing medical and dental care.

Lecture 18 – Front Office Personnel

You learn front office duties, reception, record keeping, patient scheduling, and general office management/maintenance.

Lecture 19- Maintenance Basics

This course covers most maintenance and upkeep basics on various dental equipment. You will learn what maintenance should be done daily vs weekly or monthly and annually.

Lecture 20- Resume Preparation

In this course, you will learn the dos and don'ts of creating a resume. You will gain an understanding of what a well-thought-out resume should look like to land the job of your choosing.

LAB 101 - Dental Chair and Infection Control (PPE)

In this lab, you will learn the different components of the dental operatory and dental chair. You will be taught how to operate the dental chair and the various associated instruments.

The goals of infection control are discussed together with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements and standards. You will be taught how to don the various Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required in the dental clinic.

LAB 102 – Infection Control: Maintaining the Operating Field and Introduction to Dental Instruments

You will learn the techniques for keeping the operating field clean, visible, accessible, and comfortable for the patient. You will also learn the various dental instruments, how they are organized by task, and how they are separated onto trays. During this session, a clinical video of the set-up and breakdown of the dental operatory will be shown.

LAB 103 – Infection Control: Treatment Preparation, Clean-up and Instrument Transfer

You will learn the procedures performed by the dental assistant prior to seating a patient in the operatory. You will be taught to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for effective infection control. You will also learn the various required procedures following dental treatment, as well as how to transfer instruments safely to the dentist.

LAB 104 - Radiography Basics and X-Ray Procedures For Dental Assistants

In this lab, you will learn basic X-ray techniques. You will also learn how to assist in taking a full mouth series of X-rays. You will be asked to assist in taking X-rays and developing and mounting radiographs. This lab will be completed in conjunction with the course offered by either UNMC or Creighton University as required by the State of Nebraska. Fees for this course are included in tuition.

LAB 105 - Dental Charting

You will learn how to document the present dental conditions of the patient and the dental services to be rendered. This serves as a legal record of the patient. You will be taught and asked to prepare a dental chart using appropriate symbols, abbreviations, and Black Cavity Classifications.

LAB 106 - Alginate Impressions, Laboratory Materials and Techniques

In this lab, you will learn that Alginate Impressions are taken in order to capture an accurate three-dimensional duplication of a patient’s teeth and/or surrounding tissues. You will be taught how to get alginate impressions, as well as how to take impressions using silicon and gypsum.

LAB 107 - Restorative Materials and Techniques

You will learn about bonding agents and how they are used between the tooth structures and the restoration. You will also be taught to prepare bonding agents using various instruments. In addition to the actual demonstration of preparing agents, a clinical video of amalgam restoration and composite resin restoration is shown during this lab.

LAB 108 - Pedodontic Procedures

You will learn the procedure performed if the pulp of a primary or newly erupted permanent tooth has been exposed. You will also be taught to set up trays for the pulpotomy and stainless crown placement procedure. You will learn how to mix Zinc Oxide Eugenol (ZOE) base and permanent cement. A clinical video of crown preparation will be shown during this lab.

LAB 109 - Removable Prosthodontics

In this lab, you will learn the steps involved in the fabrication and installation of complete (full) and partial dentures. You will be asked to practice putting tray set-ups together for each stage of removable and prosthodontic fabrication and delivery.

LAB 110 - Fixed Prosthodontics

In this lab, you will learn the proper technique for expelling impression materials. You will be taught how to fabricate and adjust temporaries.

LAB 111 - Endodontic Instruments and Procedures

You will learn endodontics (root canal) procedures and the various materials and instruments used. You will also be taught how to place the rubber dam on the typodont.

LAB 112 – Techniques in Administering Anesthesia

In this lab, you will learn the proper use of anesthesia in dental practice. You will be taught how to load syringes, proper passing techniques, and safe recapping techniques.

LAB 113 - Placing Sealants and Home Bleaching

You will learn about dental sealants and how cavity-free and newly erupted teeth can benefit from them. You will also be taught how to apply dental sealants as well as related teeth-whitening techniques.

LAB 114 - Periodontal Treatment, Coronal Polishing, Oral Hygiene and Preventive Dentistry

You will learn the various steps and instruments used in sealing, prophylaxis, and coronal polishing. In this lab, you will be taught the techniques for passing periodontal instruments and how to assemble the ultrasonic scaler correctly. Additionally, you will be taught the process of removing stained and soft deposits from the clinical crown of a tooth. *Coronal polishing will be demonstrated by a certified professional.*

LAB 115 - Oral Surgical Procedures

You will learn the instruments needed for routine surgical and dental extraction. During this lab, you will be taught instrument passing in the correct order for typical tooth extraction and how they are passed over a patient. To further enhance classroom demonstration, a clinical video of an oral surgical procedure is shown during this session.

LAB 116 – CPR Training and Certification

In this lab, you will be taught how to administer Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. Training will be conducted by representatives of the local American Red Cross or Fire Department. Upon completion of this training, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. The cost of certification is included in tuition.