Program Courses

• Career & Employment Strategies [CES4]

  • This course looks at the planning, preparation, execution, and follow-up stages of an interview: how people find jobs; employer expectations; presenting an enthusiastic attitude; focusing on the right job; transferable skills; the job interview; effective resume preparation; cover and thank you letters; effective telemarketing; tapping the hidden job market; handling objections; job search management; self-confidence and self-esteem building; mock interviews (video-taped); and individual counselling and coaching.

• Dental Radiography Practical [RD200]

  • This course prepares the students to take and process intra-oral and extra-oral dental radiographs according to Safety Code 30 standards. The students are introduced to basic physics and principles of radiography, safety precautions and the operation of the dental x-ray unit. Students will expose dental radiographs using bisecting angle and paralleling techniques. Instruction will be provided on recognizing dental radiographic errors and solving problems, patient education and management. The purpose of this course is to help the student develop an understanding of the basic principles of clinical dental radiography. Current radiographic techniques will be covered with the emphasis being on safe and effective use of x-rays in the dental practice. This course includes the technical and theoretical aspects of radiography, preliminary interpretation of radiographs, as well as the hazards and safety of radiation and the emphasis is placed on safe and effective use of x-rays in dental practice, application of this knowledge to the practice of dental assisting through the use of case studies and practical applications of x-rays. Throughout the course and program, learning activities are provided to integrate theoretical information and clinical practice. Upon completion, the student gains insight into radiography and integrates this knowledge with other dental topics.

• Dental Radiography Theory [RD100]

  • This course prepares students to take and process intra-oral and extra-oral dental radiographs according to Safety Code 30 standards. The students are introduced to the basic physics and principles of radiography; safety precautions and operation of a dental x-ray unit. Instruction is provided on exposing dental radiographs using paralleling and bisecting angle techniques, recognizing radiographic errors and solving problems, and client education/management. This course covers the theoretical aspects of radiography, preliminary interpretations of radiographs, and the hazards and safety involving radiation. Emphasis is placed on the safe and effective use of x-rays in the dental practice. Subject matter includes: The basic principles of radiation, Dental x-ray machines, The ALARA concept, Generation of an x-ray, Biological effects of ionizing radiation, Provincial and federal guidelines, and Quality assurance

• Dental Insurance [DOA120]

  • Pre-requisite: DOA110 – Dental Reception Procedures; DSM4 – Dental Software Management Following dental reception and office procedures training, this course expands into an overview of dental insurance. The course provides students with the knowledge and skills related to the use of provincial dental fee guides and claims terminology. Topics will include dental benefits and identifying parties affected by dental benefits. This course will also teach students how to perform all tasks associated with preparing dental claim forms. This will include paper claim forms and predeterminations. The course introduces the student to common dental benefits, benefit limitations, exclusions, coordination of benefits and determining order of liability. Other topics will include assignment of benefits, copayments, calculating copayments and explanation of benefits.

• Dental Reception Procedures [DOA110]

  • This course presents complete and accurate coverage of the basic skills needed to perform effectively as a dental receptionist and will provide students with the knowledge and skills related to dental reception procedures. Topics will include the daily routines and tasks of an office, telephone, developing client communication skills and the basic steps in filing. Students will practise appointment management, and establish continuing-care systems. This course will also teach students various formatting styles to written communication, inventory systems, and time management. Other topics include becoming familiar with dental specialties and become acquainted with types of drugs commonly prescribed in a dental office.

• Charting and Records Management [DCA150]

  • Students begin this course with an introduction to ethics and protecting the privacy of dental clients. This course provides students with the knowledge and skills to maintain patient records. Topics will include patient registration, health history forms, records retention and records transfer. Students will learn symbols and abbreviations used in clinical charts and practise entering existing conditions and recording treatment procedures on a clinical chart.

• Dental Infection Control and Safety [DCA130]

  • This module will provide students with knowledge of the practices for infection control in dentistry. This course will cover terminology as it relates to the study of disease transmission and infection control and safety, chain of infection, methods of prevention and control of transmission of microorganisms, principles and techniques of disinfection and sterilization and processing of dental instruments, safety and workplace management of hazardous wastes. Emphasis on how to adapt federal, provincial and CDI clinic infection control and safety guidelines and recommendations will also be discussed. The course will also provide didactic background as pre-requisite knowledge for Dental Radiography building on the principles of infection control and safety. Students will also complete the WHMIS module as part of this course.

• Dental Emergency Procedures [DCA120]

  • This course provides students with the knowledge and skills that are required to recognize and prevent medical and dental emergencies within the dental office. It will prepare students to assist the dentist in administering immediate care for the patient in the dental office environment. Students also participate in CPR/First Aid training. Lectures and reading assignments will provide a basic understanding of medical emergencies and the role of the dental assistant in assisting with the administration of care used in the dental office. This information permits the student to interpret and relay information and to communicate on the dentist, and emergency workers.

• Dental Sciences Foundations [DCA100]

  • In this course, students will explore medical-dental language and dental terminology while learning the oral structures and facial anatomy, the general anatomy of the tooth and the eruption schedules for both primary and permanent dentition and tooth numbering systems. The course will also cover the introductory knowledge as a pre-requisite to the Dental Radiography course. The course will also provide a basic understanding of dental specialties and their unique requirements within the dental practice. This information permits the student to understand the importance and unique requirements of dental knowledge and equipment used in the specialty practices.

• Introduction to Computers [ITC4]

  • This course is a broad-based introduction to using a personal computer. It teaches the fundamentals of an operating system and the most popular application software including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. You will also learn about the Internet, Web browsers, electronic mail and antivirus software. The course is based on the Windows 7 operating system, Microsoft office 2013 and a variety of popular software programs for the Internet-related and security-related applications