Course Description

Students are assigned to two or more dental offices in the community. 300 hours of hands-on experience includes chairside assisting, office management, laboratory techniques and expanded functions. A majority (over 50%) of internship hours must be completed in a general practice and the additional hours can be in a specialty practice. In addition, each student must also observe for four hours in each of the following: endodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics and periodontics. This course includes an orientation session prior to the start of internship, along with 6 hours of internship meetings with the instructor and classmates. During the internship experience, students must show progression from "O" (observed) to "W" (with assistance) to "A" (assisted alone) on their journal entries. Group 2 course.

Credit Hours

6

Contact Hours

6

Required Prerequisites

HDA 240, HDA 241

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

• Explain basic dental theory as it relates to patient treatment.

Application:

• Demonstrate radiographic skills with proficiency.
• Demonstrate basic dental laboratory skills as required in general dental practices.
• Demonstrate basic business office skills (both traditional and computerized) applicable to the business side of dentistry.

Integration:

• Provide a safe environment for patients and dental staff by incorporating best practices based on cumulative course concepts.

Human Dimension:

• Interact with patients to promote dental care.
• Engage with dental patients and the dental health team using effective communication skills, both written and oral.

Caring - Civic Learning:

• Engage with others and have a professional, collaborative work ethic that recognizes the legal and ethical responsibility of those employed in the dental field.

Learning How to Learn:

• Refine their clinical practice during their internships by self-evaluation within their daily journal writing.