Transcription
NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE2018 - 2019DENTAL ASSISTANT PROGRAMPOLICY MANUALu
:)
(Index( 'AAS and Certificate of Achievement Degrees . 1Full-Time/F'all Start . 1Credentials . 2Dental Assistant Program Outcomes . 2Student Health . 2Certificate ofHealth . 2Immunizations . 3Health Care Costs . 3Updating Health Information . 3Liability Insurance . 3Additional Information . 4Personal Standards . 4Books. 5Instruments and Supplies . 6Uniforms . 6Intetnships/Work Experience . 7Options for Obtaining Required Cardiopulmonary Certification . 7Scholarships . 8Program Policies . 8Attendance . 8Cheating. 8Grading. 9Late Assigmnents . 9Plagiarism . 9Testing. 9Academic Standing/Progression . 10Student Dissatisfaction with Course Grade . . 11Guidelines for Dental Assisting Due Process . 13Cell Phone/Electronic Device Use . 14Commission on Dental Accreditation - Complaints . 14 .NMC Handbook/Student Rights and Responsibilities Process . 14Exposure Control Plan . 17Exposure Control Schedule . 18Handling of Regulated Waste . 19Sharps Regulations . 19Laundry Considerations . 20Post-Exposure Evaluation and Follow-Up . 20
( )Recordkeeping . 21Training for OSHA Compliance . 21Hazard Communication Plan . 22General Information . 22Safety Data Sheets . 23Information and Training . 24Bloodborne Infections . 26Hepatitis B . 27Occupational Risk . 27Transmission of B1oodborne Infection . 28Potential Sources of Infection . 28Exposure Control . 28Hepatitis B Vaccine . 29Universal Precautions . 29Post-Exposure Response . . . 29Appendix ADental Assistant Program Certificate of Achievement Program Map . 31Dental Assistant Program Associate of Applied Science Program Map . 32AppendixBDental Assistant Program -Verbal Warning Report . 33Dental Assistant Program- Written Warning . 34Dental Assistant Program - Program Probation . 36Appendix CDeclaration of Specific Physical and Cognitive Abilities (Student Copy) . 37Declaration of Specific Physical and Cognitive Abilities . 39AppendixDPolicy Manual Acknowledgement/Acceptance Form (Student Copy) . 41Policy Manual Acknowledgement/Acceptance Form . 42
NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGEDENTAL ASSISTANT PROGRAMGENERAL INFORMATIONCertificate Degree Program vs AAS egree:(se.e pr.ogram m ps- A,Ppendix A).,. Certificate in Dental Assisting - This option ca,n be completed in one calendar year. The certificateprogram includes dental assistant courses plus HAH120 Infection Control, HPD 110 BLS forHealthcare Providers, and BUS155 Interpersonal Communications OR COM Ill Public Speaking,and potentially math and English. Students must place into MTH 111 or successfully complete MTH23 prior to starting the program. Also, students must place into ENG Ill or complete any requiredcourses below ENG Ill as indicated by their overall high school GPA prior to starting the program.Completers of the Certificate program are eligible for both State and National credential exams.There are a total of 38.5-39.5 credits (minimum) required to attain the Certificate.c.,. Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Assisting - This is a two-year program thatincludes both dental assistant and general education course work. The graduates of the AAS degreeare also eligible for the credential exams. Required courses are listed on the attached program map.There are a total of 60.5 credits (minimum) in the degree program.,. Courses required for the completion of the Certificate degree or Associate degree are on theprogram map (Appendix A).Certificate of Achievement:Satisfactory completion (minimum cumulative 2.0 GP A and a 2.0 or higher in each required HDAand HAH course) of the Dental Assistant Certificate Program will qualify the student for a certificateof achievement and the opportunity to sit for both the State (RDA) and National (CDA) BoardExams.Associates Degree:Satisfactory completion of the AAS Degree Program (minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 2.0 orhigher in each required HDA and HAH course) will qualify the student for an Associate of AppliedScience degree in Dental Assisting and the opportunity to sit for both the State (RDA) and National(CDA) Board exams.Full-time/Fall StartBoth options for completing the program must be taken on a full-time schedule and students muststart dental assistant courses fall semester. Students will meet with the program director prior toeach semester to determine their class schedule.-1-
Credentials: CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) - After successful completion of the required programcurriculum, students are eligible to sit for the CDA exam. Candidates who successfully passthe Dental Assisting National Board written exam earn the credential CDA. This credentialis recognized throughout the majority of the United States. RDA (Registered Dental Assistant)- After successful completion of the required programcurriculum and receiving an acceptable background check for LARA (Licensing andRegulatory Affairs), students are eligible to sit for the RJ)A exam. Information regarding thisprocess will be provided spring semester during the RDA exam application process.Candidates who successfully pass the State Licensure written and clinical exam earn thecredential RDA. This credential is recognized in Michigan and may or may not berecognized in other states.Dental Assistant ProgramOutc mes:Graduates of the dental assistant program should be able to: Demonstrate the skills necessary to provide a safe environment for patients and staff,including knowledge of OSHA requirements and in-depth knowledge of infection controlprotocol. Demonstrate mastery of basic dental theory including concepts of dental anatomy, dentaldisease, and restorative dentistry. Perform chairside duties competently and proficiently including working knowledge ofdental materials. Demonstrate knowledge of radiation safety and a proficiency in clinical radiographicskills. Demonstrate the ability to perform dental laboratory duties. Possess the knowledge and skills needed to promote preventive dental care and to providepatient education regarding dental care. Demonstrate basic office skills that are applicable to the business side of dentistryincluding computer hardware and software skills. Possess a professional and collaborative work ethic that recognizes the legal and ethicalresponsibility of those employed in the dental field including HIP AA and patient privacyknowledge. Possess effective communication skills, both written and oral, when dealing with dentalpatients and the dental healthcare team.Student Health:Certificate of Healtlz:All students must have a Certificate of Health form completed and submitted to the dental assistantprogram director. Students will be required to present the completed, signed, and dated form to theprogram director by the first week of fall semester classes. If not submitted, students will beacademically withdrawn from fall dental assistant courses. Students may have the health form-2-\
completed through NMC' s Health Service office. This office is located on the main floor of the LesBiederman Building. The phone is 231-995-1255. If preferred, a licensed health care provider, i.e.,family physician, may complete and sign this form.Immunizations:The student may need to update immunizations if they have not had a tetanus immunization orbooster within the last 10 years and a tuberculosis test within the last year. If the student has not hadthe Hepatitis B vaccine series, it must be started prior to patient contact - radiography lab fallsemester. The series is given in 3 visits over a six-month period. This series is available throughNMC's Health Service, payable at each visit. Note: While a hepatitis B waiver is possible, it isnot recommended for students choosing a career in dental assisting.Health Care Costs:As Northwestern Michigan College and the Dental Assistant Department are not responsible forhealth care costs incurred by students as a result of clinical practice, it is strongly recommended thatall students obtain personal health care insurance and/or make arrangements for the payment of anysuch expenses.cEvery effort will be made to prevent accidental injury and illness and .to insure that students areassigned to care for patients whose health care needs are estimated to be within that students'expected skill levels. Each student will be informed of and expected to maintain UniversalPrecautions in the performance of all patient care. It is the student's responsibility to thoroughlyprepare themselves at the appropriate learning level for the dental care of their assigned patientsand to take appropriate precautions against personal injury and illness. It is important to note,through no fault of the college, instructors, or clinical office, that the possibility exists that astUdent could accidentally injure or expose him/herself to disease. If an injury occurs in theclinical setting, the facility may require emergency room care and/or medical follow-up. Thecost of this and any other care is the responsibility of the student. All students, therefore, shouldhave personal health care coverage. Information about student health insurance is availablethrough NMC's Health Services.Updating Health Information:It is the student's ongoing responsibility to keep required health information current. TB testsmust be updated annually and CPR status must be updated annually and/or bi-annually(depending on the expiration date on your CPR card) and all major health changes that affectyour completion ofleaming objectives must be documented in your student file through theDental Assistant Program Director's office. Medical releases following an injury or illness areinclud d in these health update requirements.Liability Insurance:Students are covered by the College's liability insurance policy while currently enrolled at NMC.In addition, it is recommended that students have their own liability insurance coverage.-3-
Additional Information:During the student's internship placements, the clinical office(s) have a right to requirecompliance with the OSHA Standards. The clinical office(s) have the responsibility foroverseeing that quality dental care is delivered in a safe manner which serves to protect thepatient and the provider of care. It is the responsibility of the dental office staff of the internshipoffices to observe and remind the students about universal precaution measures and to report tothe faculty member repeated non-compliance by a student. The internship office(s) have the rightand responsibility to request that NMC's Dental Assistant pr gram ternl.imite an internship. . .rotation of a student with r peated failures t · c Inply. . . . . .In the event of occupational exposure, the student who encountered the exposure shouldimmediately inform office personnel and complete the necessary paperwork. In addition, thestudent must immediately contact the instructor and fill out a NMC Incident Report. The studentshould seek medical assistance and documentation of the visit must be sent to the DentalAssistant Department at NMC. A medical evaluation should take place no later than seven (7)days after the exposure. If follow-up testing and/or treatment are performed, documentation ofthat testing (not test results) and treatment must be forwarded to the Dental Assistant DepartmentatNMC.ANY COSTS OF EVALUATION AND TREATMENT RELATED TO THIS EXPOSUREWILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT.The student does have the right to refuse any blood test and/or prophylaxis treatment.HOWEVER, such refusal must be documented and copies will be retained by the internshipoffice involved and sent to NMC's Dental Assistant program.These policies are being implemented primarily to protect students from the potentially graveeffects of exposure to Hepatitis B and other infectious agents. The policies are also required bythe recently enacted OSHA Standards. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any ofthe above, please feel free to call NMC's Health Occupations office at 231-995-1235.Personal Standards:The appearance of the student enrolled in the dental assistant program should reflect theiraspiration to attain professional standards. Professional appearance includes much more thanthe clothing that one wears. It includes grooming, hygiene, and having a positive demeanortowards others. The student must also be in compliance with the dress code of any officewhere they are assigned for internship hours.1.Appearance a. For the chairside lab class, clean and wrinkle free scrubs must be worn. For dentalmaterials lab and radiography lab, an OSHA approved lab jacket must be worn.Additional details follow below under the heading "Uniforms".-4-
b.c.d.e.2.OSHA approved clinic shoes - must be clean.While in uniform, a professional hairstyle is a must. If hair is long, it must be secured backand not interfere with the health and safety of the patient or the student.Nails must be kept short and well-groomed with conservative or no polish. Acrylic nailsare not acceptable for work in the healthcare field.Minimal (if any) jewelry.Behavior a. Attitudes observed in lecture and lab courses should display evidence of interest, honesty,dependability, teamwork and respect for others.Books:Books can be purchased at the NMC Bookstore. Please be prepared to purchase books prior to thefirst day of your class. Following are the required textbooks needed for dental program courses.Please contact the bookstore if you have questions prior to purchasing books, would like infonnationregarding on-line ordering of textbooks, or bookstore hours of operation. The phone number is 231995-1285 and the website is nmc.edu/bookstore.(Required: /Syllabi - Hard copies of syllabi will be provided in each course the first day of the classand posted to the MOODLE website.Modem Dental Assisting- Bird and Robinson- 12th Edition- Elsevier Publishingrequired for all dental assistant coursesThe Administrative Dental Assistant (textbook) - Gaylor- 4th Edition - ElsevierPublishing- required for Dental Office ManagementThe Administrative Dental Assis.tant (student workbook)- Gaylor- 4th EditionElsevier Publishing- required for Dental Office Management-5-
Instruments and Supplies:All of the instruments and supplies used in the dental lab and clinical courses are provided forstudent use while enrolled in these classes. The lab fees help to defray the costs incurred for theseitems. Students are not required to purchase instruments or supplies for individual use. NMCinstruments may be borrowed for the Michigan State board exam, however a hold will be placed onthe students' NMC account. Once instruments are returned this hold will be released and if you haveno other holds, NMC will release transcripts to the State of Michigan.Uniforms:Students will be required to purchase a uniform consisting of scrubs, OSHA approved lab jacket, andclinic shoes. These can be purchased at Career Uniforms, other area stores, catalogs, or on-line. TheOSHA approved lab jacket is required for Dental Materials Lab, Radiography lab, Introduction toDentistry, and Dental Office Management. Full uniforms are required for Chairside Procedures Lab.Your uniform will include a scrub top and pants, an OSHA approved lab jacket, OSHA approvedclinic shoes, and name tag. All shoes must be clean. All scrubs and lab jackets must be cleanand wrinkle free. The OSHA approved lab jacket needs to be worn when you observe in a dental office forIntroduction to Dentistry (2 hours) and Dental Office Management (2 hours). Youalso need to wear it when working with patients in Radiography Lab, Chairside Lab,Dental Materials Lab, and during Dental Internship. To spread out your costs, you canpurchase the lab jacket for fall semester and the scrubs for spring semester. The labjacket can be a solid color or print of your choice and the scrubs a solid color of yourchoice. Plan to purchase your scrub top and pants so you have it for the first day of ChairsideLab spring semester. When you are registered for Dental Internship during summer semester you must have ascrub top and pant, OSHA approved lab jacket, clinic shoes, and a name tag. Your name tag (purchased by NMC) must be worn to the Introduction to Dentistry andDental Office Management observations, Dental Internship, Dental Radiography lab, andChairside lab. If your name tag is lost, you will need to cover the cost of replacing.-6-
Internships/Work Experience:Students will log 300 hours in general dental practice settings and will observe in four specialtyoffices for the remaining 16 hours for a combined total of 316 hours. Each student will work withthe instructor to arrange their internship assignments. During summer semester students are assigned to select dental offices in the community forapproximately 27 hours per week.Students are required to provide their own transportation t ; their assigned dental office.Additional information, forms, and procedures regarding internship will be provided by theinstructor.Options for Obtaining Required Cardi.opulmonary Certification:BLS for Healthcare Providers CPR Certification is required for the Dental Assistant Program.Students MUST have current certification prior to patient contact. Therefore, students must obtaincertification prior to or at the beginning of fall semester. Also, BLS for Healthcare Providers isrequired in order to sit for the CDA National Board Exam and the RDA State Board Exam. Thecertification must be current when you sit for the exam( For those who are not currently CPR certified:Completion of a CPR course for Health Care Providers offered off campus or throughsuccessful completion of the NMC .2 credit BLS for Health Care Providers course (HPD11 0). Please note tlzat not all CPR certifications are accepted. Ifyou are going to take orlzave taken a course other tlzan tlzrouglz NMC, tlzis certification must be approved by thedental assistant program director. For those who lzave current BLS for Healthcare Providers CPR certification:Exam candidates whose certification will not lapse prior to sitting for the CDAand RDA exam are all set.If certification will/apse prior to sitting for the CDA and RDA exam, students have thefollowing options for recertification: successful completion of the NMC .2 credit BLS Recertification course(HPD 11 0) which is offered fall and spring semesters. A class through an off-campus agency such as American Red Cross; AmericanHeart Association, or a local hospital.Please know the location of your CPR card. Make sure it is signed. You will need a signedcopy of the front and back of the card when applying to take your CDA and/or RDA exams.You will also need to provide a signed copy to the Dental Assistant program director.-7-
Scholarships:There are various scholarship opportunities for ])ental Assistant students. If interested, see theprogram director for more information. (NOTE: These scholarships are specifically for students whoplan to pursue a career in dental assisting and are awarded after successful completion of fallsemester.) Additional scholarship information can be found at www.nmc.edu/scholarshipsPOLICIESNote: The following are general policies for the !)ental Assistant Program. However, it is thestudents' responsibility to know the specific policies for all courses they are enrolled in at NMC.These may differ slightly depending on the course content and instructor.Attendance:Since dependability and responsibility head the list of desirable attributes of a good dentalassistant, students in the program will be expected to be in attendance for all lab and lecturecourses. Excessive absences or tardiness to classes is seen as a lack of interest in the program.Your final grade will be lowered if absences or tardiness become an issue. Please see t/zefollowing guidelines for each of the dental course formats. In the event that an absence isnecessary, it is the students' responsibility to contact the instructor prior to class time. If theinstructor is unavailable, please leave a message on the instructor's voice-mail or send an email.It is also the students' responsibility to meet with the instructor after returning to class to getmissed materials and/or assignments. If a test is given at the next class session, the student is tobe prepared for the test, as missing the session before a test is not a legitimate reason for beingunprepared.Absences per course: You may miss class or be tardy for a class a specific number of timeswithout it affecting yourflnal grade. However, any absences or tardiness beyond the llumberspecified below will/ower your grade 0.5 per absence i.e., 3.5lowered to a 3.0: 5 week courses 7- 10 week courses 15 week courses that meet once a week 15 week courses that meet twice a week1 absence/tardy2 absences/tardy2 absences/tardy3 absences/tardyCheating:Any student caught cheating during a test/exam will be automatically suspended from the courseand program.-8-
Grading:The following grading scale is used in all dental 5-69 65Numerical Grade4.03.53.02.52.01.51.00.0In any HDA OR HAH course, there is no rounding off of grades. For example, to get a passinggrade, the percentage grade must be a 75 or above, i.e., 74.9 is not passing.Late Assignments:cAll assignments are due to the instructor on the stated date for each specific assignment. lftheinstructor is not available, papers may be placed in the Health Occupations Homework DropBox. Failure to submit an assignment by the date/time due will result in a 0.0 or a gradereduction depending on class policy.Plagiarism:If a writing assignment is plagiarized, the policy stated in NMC's Student Rights andResponsibilities will be followed.Testing:It is the student's responsibility to be prepared for all quizzes, tests, performance evaluations andexams. In the event of an unexpected absence that is beyond the student's control (seriousillness, accident, death of an immediate family member, etc.), the student must notify theinstructor prior to class. In each of the dental assisting lecture courses, one test may be made up,but MUST be taken prior to the next session of the missed class. Any additional tests missedwill be given a 0.0 and cannot be made up.u-9-
Academic Standing/Progression:To progress in the Dental Assistant Program, the student must achieve a grade of2.0, a 75% orhigher, or a Satisfactory rating in any dental assistant (HDA or HAH) course. For courses thatare graded on an S/U basis, the student must achieve a satisfactory grade for each courseevaluation criterion listed. Failure to progress will result in dismissal from the program and will require a completedwritten request for readmission if the student wishes to return to complete the dentalassistant program. Readmission will be granted no more than one time. See section"Readmission Following Dismissal".' If readmission is granted, progression in the program is dependent upon satisfactorilycompleting any failed dental assistant (HDA or HAH) course (less than 2.0, U) andsuccessfully completing any remaining program requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to satisfactorily complete the dental assistantprogram within five (5) years from the time of enrollment in the first dental assistantcourse. Due to the constant addition of new information and the specialization of the,field of dental assisting, it may be necessary to repeat a course or courses if the studenthas withdrawn from the program for a period of one year or longer.DismissalA student will be dismissed from the program for the following reasons: Achievement of less than a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. A grade of less than 2.0 or a "U" in any course with an HDA or HAH designation. Cheating and plagiarism. Failure to meet terms of probation. Demonstration and/or evidence of a mental and/or physical health condition that isdeemed by the dental assistant faculty to be dangerous to the student, peers and/or toclients.Readmission Following l)ismissalTo be readmitted in the program, a written request for readmission must be sent to theDirector of the Dental Assistant Program. Application forms are available in the HealthOccupations department. Reacceptance of the student will depend upon correction of thereason for dismissal and space being available in the course to which the student is seekingreadmission. When applying for readmission, keep in mind the fact that you may be requiredto repeat or audit previous courses. A student can be readmitted a maximum of ONE TIME.-10-
Student Dissatisfaction with Course GradeA student who has reason to believe that the grade received is incorrect or unfair; he/she willfollow this process to resolve the complaint.A. The order of conferences is as follows:1. The student and the faculty member2. The student, the faculty member, and the Dental Assistant Program Director*3. The student, faculty member, and Academic Chair*4. The student, faculty member, and Vice President for Student Services andTeclmologies.B. Criteria for Request of a Grade Review: The reasons for a request for a grade review willbe restricted to the following Grade Review Criteria:1. The grade is allegedly based on math error, or is allegedly based on a factual error.2. The criteria for establishing the assigned grade are allegedly violated.3. The instructor has allegedly violated the student's academic freedom by grading on somebasis other than performance in the course.cThe student complaint shall carry the burden of proof that the grade is incorrect orunjustified.C. Rules ofProcedure:1. The student(s) who wish to protest a faculty grading decision must do so in writingwithin 10 calendar days after the assignment of the grade to the faculty memberinvolved, with a copy delivered to the Dental Assistant Program Director.2. The student will follow the order of conferences listed above.3. If the conferences fail to resolve the dispute, the Vice President for Student Servicesand Technologies shall uphold the grade unless there is compelling evidence thatwarrants overturning the faculty member's decision. If a decision is made t
Dental Assistant Program Outc mes: Graduates of the dental assistant program should be able to: Demonstrate the skills necessary to provide a safe environment for patients and staff, including knowledge of OSHA requireme
