Fluoride Application for Dental Assistants

Fluoride Application for Dental Assistants Certificate Program

Fluoride Application refers to the direct oral application of fluoride compounds to reduce the incidence of dental caries. The Indiana State Board of Dentistry allows the application of medicaments for the control or prevention of dental caries as a permitted function delegable by a licensed dentist to a trained dental assistant. This certificate program will provide the didactic (online) and laboratory instruction required for certification as established by the Indiana State Board of Dentistry.

Refer to 2011 Indiana State rules 2011 82B IAC6-1-1 through 828 IAC 6-1-5.

Who Should Enroll in this Program?

This program is designed for English-speaking graduates of a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or a dental assistant with one or more years of experience in dental assisting.

Attention: Proof of graduation from a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association OR proof of one or more years of experience is required. To verify employment, the employer dentist must submit a signed letter (on company letterhead with a daytime phone number) verifying experience of one or more years of dental assisting experience.

Learning Outcome

The learning outcome of this program is to enable the learner to incorporate best practices related to the application of fluoride to the dentition.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss ethics and jurisprudence as related to fluoride application by the dental assistant.
2. Apply proper infection control methods.
3. Recognize the caries process.
4. Learn the effects, benefits, and contraindications associated with fluoride.
5. Recognize systemic and topical fluorides.
6. Differentiate the appropriate types of fluoride for patients and the appropriate delivery methods.

Criteria for Successful Completion

• Submit registration and payment.
• Complete online course content with a minimum cumulative average of 75%.
• Complete the laboratory session, including two (2) hours of practice on a mannequin.
• Demonstrate clinical competency on a minimum of five (5) patients in a dental office under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist or dental hygienist and submit a signed form verifying completion.

Contact Hours (13 Contact Hours)

Thirteen contact hours (9 hours for the online instruction and 4 hours for laboratory session)

Successful completion of this program does not guarantee expertise in the content. Clinical experience and judgment, coupled with an understanding of the content, are necessary to attain competency.

Upon completion of the didactic and laboratory requirements, each participant must demonstrate clinical competency on a minimum of five (5) patients under the direct observation of a licensed dentist or dental hygienist. A form will be provided to each participant on which the observing licensed dentist or dental hygienist will document certification of competency and completion of required clinical cases. The form must be signed by the certifier and submitted to the University of Southern Indiana’s Fluoride Application for Dental Assistants Certificate Program.

Upon receipt of the signed form, USI will issue a certificate of completion that must be publicly displayed in the dental office where the dental assistant practices. Once the certificate of completion is received, participants will be able to legally apply medicaments (fluoride) for the control or prevention of dental caries under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.

Enrollment Cost - $545

Fluoride Application for Dental Assistants: $545 (register for Fluoride Application only)

Fluoride Application and Coronal Polishing: $990 (register for both for $990)

A text, if applicable, is not included in the fee.

Fee includes: online instruction and laboratory practical materials. Lunch will be provided at the laboratory session.

Registration Policy

The deadline for registration is the Wednesday prior to the start date. Registration may not be available until closer to the start of the program.

Registration by invoicing employer closes two weeks prior to the start date. There is a $25.00 fee to invoice.

The program requires a minimum of 5 participants.

We reserve the right to cancel any offering if there is insufficient enrollment. Registered participants will be notified in advance and fully refunded if this occurs.

Refund Policy

A $75 administrative fee will be charged prior to the start date of the activity if the registration fee has been paid. On or after the start date of the class there will be no refund.

Questions? Call toll-free 1-877-USI-HLTH (874-4584) or 812-461-5217 or email usi1nhpcert@usi.edu