1. Here are some answers to your questions!

2.  Infectious disease transmission can pose significant concerns in the dental workplace  All dental healthcare workers must understand the basic principles of disease transmission, infection control, and safety to minimized the risks associated with exposure to biohazardous agents.  To ensure an understanding of the risks presented and to implement safe work practices, federal regulations require that all healthcare professionals participate in specific training in infection control practices for exposure to an handling of biohazardous materials.

3.  Upon entering Dental Health Professions, the students are given a training session that includes, but not limited to, an explanation of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, the Exposure Control Plan, hazard communication, engineering controls, work practice controls and personal protective equipment.  The Exposure Control Plan and the Bloodborne Pathogen standard are available to all students, faculty and staff in Programs’ Policy Manuals.

4.  The Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) Program prepares the student to become an essential member of the dental team. The student learns current infection control practices, concepts of four-handed dentistry, radiography techniques and techniques for providing preventive oral hygiene services.

5.  Obtains and charts patient’s dental health and history  Takes and documents vital signs  Exposes, develops and interprets x-rays  Performs chair side dental procedures

6.  Prepares dental tray set-ups for all dental procedures  Assists dentist in all dental procedures using four-handed dentistry  Performs coronal polish on supragingival tooth structures and polish restorations  Takes impressions, pours and trims study models

7.  Makes and cements temporary coverings  Applies topical medication prescribed by the dentist  Applies pit and fissure sealants  Instructs patients in home care procedures  Gives post-operative instructions  Implements emergency procedures and administers first aid including CPR

8.  Working hours range from 32 to 40 hours per week.

9.  What are the steps to enrollment in the Expanded Duty Dental Assisting Program?

10.  Complete and submit a York Technical College Application  Take the placement test or submit SAT/ACT scores  Submit college transcripts (if applicable)  Meet with an Admissions Counselor  Be accepted to the Pre-EDDA program  Work with your advisor each term  Meet requirements for program goal  Meet with an Admissions Counselor  Pay the $50.00 wait list fee  Pay the $100.00 deposit when seat is available  Maintain 2.0 GPR each semester  Fulfill entry criteria Physical Exam Criminal Background Check Health and liability insurance

11.  Algebra  Biology  Chemistry  College Preparatory English

12.  What job opportunities exist?

13.  Dental Offices  Schools  Hospitals  Civil Service offices

14.  What salary will I make after completing this program?  EDDA’s earn anywhere from $14.00 to $18.00/hour. Assistants will earn more if they are Certified Dental Assistants.

15.  Curriculum is rigorous – requires extensive reading, study time and good time management skills.  Program runs concurrently – starts only once each fall; if you withdraw or fail an EDDA course, you have to reapply to be able to reenter  Critical thinking required on the job  Stress level – medium to high  Must be a team player as well as able to work independently  Very interesting and rewarding field of study

16.  You need to realize there are more harmful bacteria in the mouth than any other orifice of the body.  You may work on patients with pus coming out from under the gum which gives off a foul odor.  You need to realize that every patient you see has the potential to transmit HIV, TB, or herpes despite what they tell you or how they look.  You may see patients, including children with badly decayed teeth and know they have no funding.

17.  How much time should I expect to spend in this program to be successful?

18.  The program is very demanding!  The program is a full-time, Monday through Friday, daytime program.  Between the coursework and the clinical rotations, successful students should plan to devote approximately 40 hours per week each semester to their education.

19.  This schedule can make it challenging to be employed full-time while enrolled in the program.  For students who must work, it is highly recommended that they work no more than 20 hours per week.

20.  How stressful is the clinical environment?

21.  The program can be quite stressful. Classroom material must be retained for the clinical setting where students are acquiring hands-on skills to make the connection between theory and practice. Students must be willing to become motivated, independent learners and accept constructive criticism while in the clinical setting.

22.  What are the physical requirements for this field?

23.  Good hand dexterity  Use of feet to operate equipment  The ability to sit or stand for long durations of time

24.  What type of special skills do I need to possess in order to be a successful EDDA?

25.  Responsible/reliable  Flexible/adaptable  Good communication skills  Like working with people and equipment  Strong interest in science  Able to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking  Able to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and forms

26.  The grading scale for the EDDA program for both coursework and clinicals:  Students MUST maintain a MINIMUM grade point average of 80 in all EDDA coursework in order to remain in the program.  A minimum of 80 is required in all clinical coursework. Below 80 is considered unacceptable clinical performance.

27.  Students who earn any grade below an 80 in any EDDA course will not be eligible to continue.  It is very difficult for students to work more than 20 hours per week and be successful in this program.

28.  What are the estimated expenses for the program?

29.  Tuition & fees for three semesters (in county)$5,244  Textbooks$1,060  Uniforms$400  Universal Protection Kit$125  Instruments & Supplies$150  Liability Insurance$15  Health Insurance$944-$1370 (if purchased through York Technical College)  Physical Exam$120  Eye Exam$75  Dental Exam$25  Hepatitis B Exam (Recommended)$240  CPR Certification$50  National ADDA Student Dues $60  Certification Exam (DANB)  Infection Control (November) $120  Radiology (June) $120  Chairside $150  Graduation Fee/Cap/Gown $35

30.  Will I be required to complete additional training once I become a Expanded Duty Dental Assistant?  Continuing education in the form of workshops, classes, etc., is the norm for all medical professionals and is required to maintain licensure.

32.  If so, you may have additional questions.  Please feel free to contact:  Edna Martin Program Manager, at 981-7068