Dental Instruments and Procedures Syllabus

DE 291: Dental Instruments and Procedures

This course presents an in-depth study of the many varied hand instruments, mechanical instruments, and the various procedures used in dentistry. In addition to the equipment used, this class will include learning the techniques and steps used in many procedures. Areas covered will include the principles of four-handed dental practices, the proper transferring of instruments, the use of the high-speed evacuation system, and the use and care of dental handpieces and all other equipment. The different dental specialties will also be included.

Student Learning Outcomes

Course Objectives: When the course is completed you will be able to:

  • utilize the proper equipment and the techniques of four-handed dentistry.
  • employ the principles of work simplification.
  • use the correct techniques of one-handed instrument transfer.
  • identify the proper positions for the dentist and dental assistant.
  • use correct high volume evacuation techniques.
  • use and maintain the various types of dental hand pieces.
  • identify the numerous types and uses of dental burs.
  • apply and remove a dental dam and explain its use.
  • prepare a syringe properly.
  • explain the various types of anesthesia used in the dental office, the preparation of each type, and the equipment required.
  • recognize and select correct hand instruments for the respective operation at hand.
  • identify the other pieces of equipment, disposables, and instruments including infection control.
  • dispose of or care for each instrument properly.
  • specify five of the most frequently used dental  procedures, the order of steps performed, and the instruments used.
  • recognize six of the most commonly-found dental specialties and what procedures are performed.
  • Sterilize all dental instruments in the appropriate order        
  • Transfer any dental instrument with the dentist
  • Use all dental instruments with the proper procedure on patients
Instructional Materials

Dental Instrument Guide, Phinney and Halstead, Second Edition.

Course Policies

Incomplete Policy: Students will not be given an incomplete grade in the course without sound reason and documented evidence as described in the Student Handbook. In any case, for a student to receive an incomplete, he or she must be passing the course.

Instructor Requirements

  • The Dental Assisting major requires that you make a 74% or better in this class to complete the program successfully.
  • There will be one make-up test. All other missed tests will be counted as zeros; there will be NO exceptions.
  • You are expected to be in class for the ENTIRE class period.
  • NO children allowed EVER in class. If you bring a child to class, you will be asked to leave.
  • Beepers must be on “vibrate”mode.
  • Cell phones must be turned off.

​​​​​​​Student Evaluation:

Students’ grades will be determined by their average grade in each of the following areas:

Lab Performance 50%
Weekly Test

50%

 Grade Scale:                            

Letter Grade Percentage
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 59-below
Course Outline

(tentative and subject to change)

Week

Subject Matter

Assignment

One

Chapter 3 Basic Instruments, Evacuation and Air- Water Syringe

 

TBA

Two

Chapter 4 Topical and Local Anesthetic and Nitrous Oxide Sedation

 

TBA

Three

Chapter 5 Dental Dam

 

TBA

Four

Chapter 6 Dental Unit and Hand Pieces

 

TBA

Five

Chapter 7 Burs, Stone and Discs

 

TBA

Six

Chapter 10 Amalgam Instruments

 

TBA

Seven

Chapter 11 Composite Instruments and Equipment

 

TBA

Eight

 

Chapter 12 Endodontic Instruments

TBA

Nine

Chapter 13 Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Instruments

TBA

Ten

 

Chapter 17 Fixed Prosthodontic Instruments

Review for Final

TBA

Eleven

Final on All Instrument Trays and Accessories

 

Final Exam

Communication

Emails will be responded to no later than 48 hours or by the end of business on Monday for mail received over the weekend.

College Policies

Academic Honesty Policy
The college has a firm policy against academic dishonesty, including cheating or plagiarism. Students guilty of academic dishonesty will be administratively dropped from the course with a grade of ‘F’ and subject to disciplinary action, which may include suspension and dismissal. 

Please refer to the Academic Honesty Policy for detailed information.

Technology Support
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Accessibility Information
Huntington Junior College is committed to full compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For detailed information regarding the policy, please click here. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 1-800-344-4522, 304-697-7550 or pjustice@hjc.edu if you have any additional questions.

Copyright Policy
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Privacy Policy
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Other Student Success Services
Please click here for other student success services information, such as financial aid, lab hours, parking, library, transcripts, and career services on the college

If you need to speak with a person regarding any college policies and guidelines, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the college at 304-697-7550 or 1-800-344-4522

This information is standard for each course but specifics may vary based on the delivery method of the course you are taking. Please follow the information provided by your instructor.

This syllabus is subject to change.