Dental Assisting Policies and Expectations

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    General Safety Guidelines

    • The shop setting simulates a dental office
    • All shop materials, models, kits, equipment, and instruments etc. are an integral part of shop. They should be handled only when you are instructed to do so. This also includes computers, dental equipment, and chairs.
    • All buttons turn things on and off, all faucets yield water when turned on; all electrical outlets provide 120 volts of AC current. Keep these things in mind and DO NOT play with them, you could be seriously hurt. All equipment will be handled with respect at all times.
    • Any accident involving even the slightest injury must be reported to a teacher AT ONCE.
    • ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE AND PASS EQUIPMENT SPECIFIC SAFETY TESTS before being allowed to use the equipment.
    • ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE OSHA/CAREER SAFE PROGRAM.

    Related Participation

    The following materials must be brought to shop every day:

    • Approved loose-leaf notebook, with sufficient paper supply
    • Writing utensils
    • Textbook (s)
    • Workbook

    Shop Participation

    In order to provide students with a realistic and diverse learning environment, the students are required to learn and perform dental procedures  on each other. For the safety of the student, the Dental Assisting program requires each student’s parents to complete and sign a health history form in order to participate in all of the learning activities.

    Grading

    • Refer to individual teacher’s policy.

    Absences

    • It is the responsibility of the student to obtain missed assignments, handouts, etc. from the instructor upon returning to school. DO NOT RELY ON CLASSMATES
    • Tests and competencies will be made up before the end of the next cycle. Failure to do so will result in a ZERO.

     

    Program Requirements

    Students are required to take the following certification exams.

    • Career Safe-OSHA-Freshman year
    • Dental Assisting National Board-Infection Control – Sophomore year
    • Dental Assisting National Board -Radiation Health and Safety – Junior year
    • CPR-every other year-all students.

     

    Failure to pass the Radiation Health and Safety exam will result in being ineligible for COOP. Refer to student handbook Cooperative Employment requirements.

    Competencies and Evaluation

    • Students will be assigned to work with different partners for shop evaluations and practice sessions. Working with a variety of students will allow the students to experience different personalities.
    • Evaluation/competencies will be conducted one to one with an instructor. Other students will not be allowed to observe or interrupt during testing.
    • All missed evaluations will be made up before the end of the next cycle. Arrangements must be made with the shop teacher.
    • Each student will meet with his or her shop teacher each trimester for an evaluation on their shop performance.

    Breaks and privileges

    • A 20-minute break during the morning will be allowed. Eating and drinking are allowed only at this time.
    • All break food must be brought to shop at the beginning of the day. Going to lockers or the cafeteria to obtain food once school has started is not allowed.
    • Bathroom breaks are in the morning after break and again either before or after lunch.
    • Disciplinary actions will occur if rules are not followed.
    • Lap Tops are not to be used during break
    • Lap Tops are not to be used for any non school activity

    Clinical Dress Code

    Dental Assistants are healthcare professionals therefore, Dental Assisting students will maintain a professional appearance at all times.

    • Clinical attire will be checked daily and will reflect on their shop Employability grade.
    • Dental Assisting students will adhere to the following rules. Students who do not comply with the dress code will be referred to the department head/Dean of Students.

    Uniforms for shop/ COOP

    • The students will purchase a shop uniform through the Diman website.
    • The uniform will be cleaned and pressed at all times.
    • Appropriate under garments are to be worn.
    • Safety glasses are to be purchased through the Department Head.
    • Name tags will be purchased through the uniform website

    Shoes

    • Solid white or black shoes (leather preferably, vinyl accepted) or white “clinical” shoes. Canvas shoes are not allowed.
    • No open toed shoes or shoes with holes.
    • No colored decorations on shoes
    • Shoes must be cleaned and polished at all times.

    Hair

    • Hair must be secured in a bun and off the collar at all times.
    • Bangs must not exceed the length of the bottom eyebrow at the highest point and loose ends of hair must be controlled with bobby pins.

    Nails

    • No longer than 1/8 inch beyond finger.
    • No artificial nails
    • Nail polish is not allowed

    Jewelry

    • Jewelry is not allowed except for a wrist watch and one pair of stud type earrings. Please leave all other jewelry at home.
    • No facial or tongue piercing are allowed.
       

    Please refer to the student handbook.

    Cosmetics

    • Light cosmetics only. This includes moderate amount of eye shadow and mascara
    • Keep perfumes light
    • Do not use perfumes that contain floral scents. Many individuals are allergic to them. Do not reapply perfume during the day

    Personal Hygiene

    A daily shower, shampoo, and the use of antiperspirant are essential for proper student hygiene

    Shop / Classroom Rules / Personal Items

    • Cell phones and electronics are to be left in lockers from 7:45-2:28; No exceptions. (Refer to student handbook)
    • No hand bags, backpacks, coats are to be brought in shop.
    • All personal items are to be left in student’s lockers before the 1st period bell. (Please keep on you break money, lunch money, chap stick, etc. No student will be allowed to go to their locker throughout the day for personal items)
    • Follow instructions
    • Keep hands and objects to yourself and respect the property of others
    • Do not leave shop without permission from instructor and sign out in the sign out book
    • No profanity
    • Be in your seat and prepared when the bell rings
    • No talking or interruptions when the teacher or guest is speaking
    • Have all books, pens, and paper ready at your desk
    • Keep a small cosmetic bag for personal items
    • Drinks- Water is acceptable in shop and it must be kept out of sight. All other beverages are not allowed.
    • Students will not be allowed to go to their lockers until after the end of the day bell has rung.
    • Students are to remain in their seats until dismissed by their teacher at 2:28.

    HIPPA Guidelines

    • Respect patient confidentiality and Privacy Policy
    • Respect patient/classmates privacy
    • Do not criticize others
    • Do not ask questions in front of patients or at clinical assignments
    • Do not talk about patients in any setting other than the classroom/shop (example: bus or cafeteria)
    • Do not talk about doctors, offices, staff, anywhere but the classroom/shop

    Computer Guidelines

    • Permission must be obtained before using computers. Computers cannot be used during break
    • There is to be no surfing on the internet for non-school related material during class
    • Beware computers are monitored at all times and will be taken away if used inappropriately.
    • There is to be no printing of non-school related material (e.g. celebrity pictures, hairstyles, or dresses for proms)
    • Instructors need to approve what is being printed before printing

    Employability Skills Description

    See attached Employability Skill Grading Policy

    Students that are removed from class for disciplinary reason will receive a zero (0) for their daily grade.

     A perfect score indicates the student has achieved the following for each category.

    Attitude

    Has the student:

    • Behaved in shop
    • The teacher has not had to speak to the student due to any disturbance to the class or to other students?
    • This includes any inappropriate language or sound effects during class
    • Been respectful of instructor, classmates, or any equipment
    • Arrived on time to class

    Cooperation

    Has the student:

    • Been helpful to their classmates and instructors
    • Followed instructions given by classmates and instructors
    • Worked well with their piers
    • Prepared for class with all necessary items to proceed with the day

    Industry/Leadership

    Has the student:

    • Participated in classroom discussion or lecture
    • Worked on their project in the shop
    • Completed a sufficient amount of tangible work during the class
       

    TANGIBLE WORK is defined as any actual construction of the student’s daily task or any paper work completed during the class

    • Helpful to others
    • Organized
    • Focused on the task at hand

    Safety

    Has the student:

    • Followed all safety practices related to task
    • Remained in their work area
    • Worn all personal protective equipment
    • Respectful of the equipment in shop

    Personal Appearance:

    Has the student:

    • Complied with the dress code ( clean and neat, no dragging pants, pants and top are pressed, white or black
    • Clinical shoes (no canvas or thick sole sneakers with logos),white or black plain socks or nylons)
    • Hair tied back, out of face and off shoulders when working chair side including bangs
    • Cosmetics and perfumes must be kept to a minimum
    • Nails short and clean, free of artificial lengtheners or nail polish

    Complied with the program guidelines as it pertains to jewelry