Students will be able to: identify career roles, functions, obligations, and limitations of a dental assistant; identify professional organizations within the dental community; describe ethics and jurisprudence as they relate to the dental profession; identify the roles of the dental health care team; demonstrate the ability to communicate with dental patients using various communication techniques; write business documentation such as messages, letters, marketing, and patient education, information, and maintain accurate record keeping; obtain, update, and maintain current documentation of patient history, status, and care; maintain procedures for legal access to patient records according to HIPAA standards; demonstrate basic first aid with regards to a hazardous/infectious exposure; maintain dental equipment, supplies, and work area according to federal guidelines; maintain personal safety and hygiene according to CDC and OSHA guidelines; monitor and process infection control transmission in the dental laboratory, clinic, darkroom, and sterilization area; dispose of waste and hazardous materials in compliance with federal regulations; describe and maintain MSDS manuals according to federal regulations; take alginate impressions; pour impressions; trim, mount, and articulate cast and models; seat and dismiss patients; measure and record vital signs; chart oral conditions as dictated by dentists; instruct patient and family in oral health techniques and nutrition; maintain clear field of vision for dental procedures; prepare and assist with all materials relating to composite resin and amalgam restorations; prepare and assist with application and removal of rubber dam; prepare various temporary and permanent dental cements; apply and communicate the principles of chairside assisting to oral surgery, orthodontics, pedodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and endodontics; prepare and assist with preventive procedures including fluoride and sealants; transfer instruments and materials; prepare and assist with administration of local and topical anesthesia; fabricate provisionals/temporaries for crown and bridge (C and B); prepare and mix various elastomeric impression materials for fixed and removable prosthetics; identify various handpieces and associated rotary instruments; react appropriately to various types of medical and dental emergencies; use ergonomic positioning of  patients, dental teams, and dental units; mount and label dental radiograph; practice patient and operator safety measures for radiation; maintain radiographic processing equipment, solutions, and film; demonstrate appropriate techniques for film and/or digital imagery placement and exposure; expose diagnostic quality intraoral radiograph using parallel or bisecting techniques; describe purposes and equipment used in extraoral radiography; differentiate between normal and abnormal appearances of tooth structure, supporting structures, and anatomic landmarks on patient radiographs; identify function and appropriate use of intraoral cameras; schedule and maintain appointment book, utilizing an active recall system; file and maintain charting system; maintain patient financial records and accounts receivable; discuss dental insurance; outline inventory control systems; use basic computer skills appropriate to dental offices; describe signs and functions of healthy periodontium; describe the nature and formation of dental plaque; identify current treatment modalities of periodontitis; describe the parts of the tooth, functions, and landmarks; name the functions of the salivary glands; explain the blood supply of the head and landmarks of the face and oral cavity; identify the location of teeth and their surfaces; define numbering systems of permanent and primary dentitions. Performance Component: Prepare Instruments for Autoclaving (19%), Assemble Equipment to Expose Radiographic Film (12%), Mount Full Series Radiographs (12%), Assemble and Disassemble Aspirating Syringe (21%), Take a Single Mandibular Alginate Impression (22%), and Prepare Class III (Anterior) Composite Instrument Tray (14%).