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Our Curriculum
Coursework for the program is based online includes both synchronous and asynchronous coursework. Classes are taught by Pitt School of Dental Medicine faculty and staff. Individualized instruction is available through the supporting team for each trainee.
Courses in the program include
- Dental Sciences
- Introduction to Dental Radiology
- Anatomy
- Dental Terminology
- Dental Materials
- Chairside Assisting
- Dental Assisting Profession
- Dental Team Members and Specialties
- Ethics
- Online Simulation Lab including:
- Sterilization
- Instrument Identification
- Instrument Transfer
- Step-by-step instruction of multiple dental procedures
- Job Shadowing and an Externship at a clinical site to complete hands-on chair-side assisting experience.
Clinical Site Placement
Trainees are required to locate a clinical job shadowing and externship experience. The trainee-identified clinical site will host you for 3-days (22.5 hours) of job shadowing during your first 3 months, and a 3-week (112.5 hours) externship following the completion of online coursework with the Pitt School of Dental Medicine.
If a clinical site sponsorship is identified by the trainee, the clinical site may require an agreement to work for at least 1-year at the site following successful completion of the training program.
During the job shadowing and externship, trainees will learn:
- Observation of procedures, workflow, and practice management
- Sterilization and disinfection of treatment rooms and equipment
- Clinical chairside procedures using four-handed dentistry
- Radiology, first by observation and once certified, exposing x-rays
- Applying the online learning curriculum to everyday responsibilities of a dental assistant
- Best practices and techniques with assisting in treatment planning and assessments