Mar 28, 2024  
Course/Program Inventory 
    
Course/Program Inventory

DTA 1080 - Oral Diagnosis



Clock Hours: 60

Delivery Mode
on-ground

Course Description:
This course for dental assisting students is a study of diagnostic procedures using a systematic approach to gather data, recording essential information, and preparing diagnostic aids to be utilized by the dentist in diagnosing dental conditions and presenting a treatment plan to the patient.  To be supportive of the dentist prior to and during treatment of the patient, the dental assistant must understand his/her role in the diagnosis and a plan of treatment. As an educationally qualified assistant, one must be capable of preparing the diagnostic aids.

Student Learning Outcomes:
UNIT #1 ESSENTIALS OF A COMPLETE DIAGNOSIS

  1. Explain the rationale for a thorough dental examination to a new patient.
  2. Describe the advantages of regular, periodic oral examinations.
  3. Examine the form and identify the personal data items necessary on all patient records.
  4. Anticipate questions and explain to a patient the rationale for:
    1. Health history and vital signs
    2. Radiographs
    3. Visual examination
    4. Diagnostic Test
    5. Impressions
  5. Examine a patient health history questionnaire and then elicit additional information through a dialogue with the patient to gather data on incomplete answers and accuracy.
  6. Describe on a patient record any observed handicaps or disabilities.
  7. Describe and identify symptoms of three chronic illnesses or conditions that may be important to oral diagnosis.
  8. Recommend a simple way to update patient information by phone and when seating the patient.
  9. Define “chief complaint” and state its importance on a patient record.
  10. Differentiate between diagnosis and prognosis.
  11. Analyze the health history data to select the items to be questioned further by the dentist regarding the patient’s condition.
  12. Identify in a systematic sequence the areas to be observed during the extraoral examination.
  13. State the purpose of the extra oral examination.
  14. Describe and identify the tissues and organs to be examined during the clinical examination of the mouth.
  15. Chart by symbols on a universal numbering form the condition of the dentition of patient as to missing teeth, caries, restorations, fixed and/or removable prostheses. Chart other common symbols as called out.
  16. Define common standardized abbreviations of single and multiple tooth surfaces, and restorations.
  17. Match cavity classifications with descriptions of carious lesions.
  18. List armamentarium needed for a clinical examination.
  19. Record abnormalities of hard and soft tissue as called out during clinical examination.
  20. State the purpose of the radiographic examination in relation to diagnosis and the visual examination.

 

UNIT #2 SUPPLEMENT DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS

  1. Set up and simulate the procedural steps in sequence on a typodont to give an record the vitalometer test to determine vitality of a maxillary right central incisor.
  2. Perform an alginate impression procedure on a classmate in thirty (30) minutes to include:
    1. Seating and positioning patient
    2. Patient preparation/instructions
    3. Select and fit tray
    4. Manipulate material
    5. Place tray and remove impression
    6. Care of impression
  3. Take a wax bite registration on a classmate.
  4. Using the alginate impressions taken on classmate, pour, trim, and articulate study casts of the patient’s dentition using regular setting plaster for the casts and quick setting plaster to articulate using the bite registration as reference.
  5. List and describe supplemental diagnostic aids which may be indicated for oral diagnosis.
  6. Demonstrate proper protocol in barrier techniques and infection control before and after the patient.

 

UNIT #3 ORAL DIAGNOSTIC RECORDS

  1. List 7 records used by the dentist to diagnose a case for a patient.
  2. Complete and review all indicated diagnostic records and arrange with the following on the dentist’s (instructor’s) desk for diagnosis of treatment.
    1. Set of processed and mounted radiographs
    2. Trimmed and articulated study casts.

 

UNIT #4 TREATMENT PLANNING

  1. As the treatment is dictated, record the treatment plan.
  2. State the role of the assistant in the treatment planning.
  3. Outline the dentist’s basic treatment plan format.
  4. State the purpose of formulating an alternative treatment plan.
  5. Discuss the involvement of time treatment, and materials in the optional treatment levels.
  6. Evaluate 5 of the factors which can influence treatment planning and patient acceptance.