DAST-131 Operative Techniques Bridge Externship

Credits 6 / 1 Contact Hours
Pre-requisite: Division signature is required for registration; Program Eligibility Requirements; Placement into College Level Reading, completion of ELAP-120 with a 2.0 or higher, or successful completion of ACRD-090, ACRD-091 or ACRD-092. Co-requisite: DAST-131C. Pre- or Co-requisite: DAST-120, DAST-121, DAST-122, DAST-123, DAST-124, DAST-125 and DHDA-114. NOTE: Student must have reliable transportation to dental offices and child care services where appropriate.
A clinical setting in assigned dental offices in order to further practice skills learned in the fall capstone course and winter semesters, plus a seminar session. The seminar will be conducted weekly with students to discuss the clinical extern experiences. Students must come prepared each week to share positive dental office experiences using class participation.

Course Outcomes

Assist the dentist with a variety of restorative procedures
Assist the dentist with a variety of procedures in the dental specialties
Perform a variety of expanded functions on patients, including placement and removal of dental dam, fabrication, cementation and removal of provisional restorations, removal of sutures, placing and carving amalgam restorations, placing and finishing class I composite restorations, packing retraction cord, and taking final impressions.
Perform a variety of patient care services, including patient data gathering, alginate impressions, patient preparation and education, and postoperative care.
Perform a variety of preventive services, including topical fluoride application and placement of pit and fissure sealants.
Expose, process and mount intraoral and extraoral radiographs and digital imaging. Each student must complete at least two acceptable (minimum proficiency level of 85%) complete series of radiographs or digital images during the externship rotation, for DAST 131 credit.
Perform a variety of infection control procedures, following proper disinfection and sterilization protocol and use of personal protective equipment
Perform a variety of laboratory skills
Perform a variety of business office skills
Demonstrate the ability to relay to patient pre and post-operative instructions
Demonstrate the use of acceptable professional standards regarding clinical attire, personal grooming, and communication with dental office staff and patients, work ethics and attendance.