A requirement is to view and sign a document and return it with the packet application by the deadline date. The document is included in Dental Assisting Admissions Packet to print.
The following standards reflect reasonable expectations of a student in the Dental Assisting program for the performance of routine dental assisting care. In adopting these standards, the Dental Assisting program is dedicated to the highest level of safety and care for Dental Assisting students and future patients. The Dental Assisting student must be able to apply the knowledge and skills necessary to function in a broad variety of situations while providing the spectrum of dental assisting services. To verify the student’s ability to perform these essential functions, students may be required to demonstrate the following technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations.
| Definition of Standard | Example(s) of Technical Standard |
|---|---|
| Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment | Identify cause and effect relationship in clinical situations. Assimilate knowledge from lecture, laboratory and clinical arenas. Utilize basic mathematic skills. |
|
Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, physical, medical and intellectual backgrounds |
Establish rapport with patient, families and colleagues. |
|
Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others. |
Explain treatment procedures and health instruction as well as document treatment procedures and patient responses. |
|
Physical abilities sufficient to move around rooms in the dental environment, maneuver in small spaces and reach needed equipment. |
Move around clinical operatories, dark room, sterilization room and other treatment areas. Position self-chairside in close proximity to patient. Administer CPR and BLS procedures. Access radiographic equipment, which is approximately 5-6’ off floor. Transfer patients from wheel chairs to dental chairs and back. |
|
Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective assistance to the dentist, patient and co-workers. |
Move, adjust and use equipment and dental materials and supplies including sharp instruments during operative procedures. Use ancillary aids, chairside-mannequins, small equipment, etc. |
|
Fine motor skills sufficient for assessment and performance of dental chairside procedures including safe expanded functions |
Perform selective coronal polishing; placement of radiographic sensors or film and gingival retraction cord; mixing and placing alginate impression material, sealants; and removing excess cement. |
|
Abilities sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. |
Observe patient responses such as skin color and facial expression. Monitor vital signs. Evaluate radiographs for technical quality including density, contrast and distortion. Judge and communicate clinical processes. Note color changes in dental materials, which indicate reactions occurring. |
|
Abilities sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. |
Detect instruments and equipment being properly utilized and monitor vital signs. Respond to patient needs. |
| Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective assistance to the dentist, patient, and co-workers. | Move, calibrate and use the equipment and dental materials and supplies including sharp instruments during operative procedures. Use ancillary aids chairside-mannequins, small equipment, etc. |
| Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. | Detect sounds of instruments and equipment being properly utilized; the sound of a slowspeed handpiece and monitor vital signs. Respond to the patient in need. |
| Visual ability sufficient for physical assessment, the performance of dental procedures, and maintenance of environmental safety. | Observes patient responses such as skin color and facial expressions. Monitors vital signs. Evaluates radiographs for technical quality including density, contrast, and distortion. Read records. Notes color changes in dental materials, which indicate reactions occurring. |
| Tactile ability sufficient and performance of dental chairside procedures including safe expanded functions. | Perform selective coronal polishing; placement of radiographs and gingival retraction cord; mixing and placing alginate impression material, sealants, and removing excess cement. |
*If a student has a documented disability and needs accommodations, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the College’s Accessibility Counselor.
If a dental assisting student or applicant believes that he or she cannot meet one or more of the standards without accommodations or modifications, the college must determine on an individual basis, the need for requested accommodations. Contact Alfreda Lindsay, an Accessibility Support Counselor at 828-395-1732 or alindsay@isothermal.edu
Document is included in the admissions packet for signature.