Dental Assisting Portfolio

Dental Assisting Portfolio
Kalene Holman

Program Competency 1
The ability to collect diagnostic and treatment
data by:
1. Obtaining medical and dental health
histories.

data by:
2. Collect patient vital signs.
● Blood pressure
● Pulse
● Respirations

data by:
3. Inspecting and charting the oral cavity.

Program Competency 1: Reflection
I chose the 3 abilities for Program Competency 1 because these 3 skills are essential diagnostic information
to obtain on every patient in an office. During the year of schooling, I have had many opportunities to
practice and perfect these skills. We obtain medical and health histories on every new patient we treat and
must update each time the patient is seen thereafter. Important information on the patient will be
referenced in this area of the patient’s chart. It is a guide on how the patient will need to be treated; i.e.
any allergies to medications, past surgeries, and current ailments. It is important to gain the vital signs of
the patient each time you see them to make sure that they are healthy enough for treatment. It is my duty
to make sure I gain the information so that I can relay the data to the doctor who will determine if the
patient can be treated. Charting the oral cavity is also an important task because existing conditions and
any clinically missing teeth need to be noted in the patient’s chart. This information can be of most
importance if anyone needs this data in the case of forensics. It also is important since the chart will also
have planned treatment on it and one must be able to know which tooth(teeth) will be treated. One does
not want to treat a wrong area. All 3 of these skills will be part of the patient’s chart and all this
information is therefore part of a legal document. At first, I was unconfident in obtaining a patient’s blood
pressure but have learned how to listen and read the sphygmomanometer. I also am very good at charting a
patient’s oral cavity and marking down existing and needed treatments. To do this well, one needs to know
the tooth numbering systems; I know all 3.

Managing infection
and hazard control
by:
1. Correctly and
thoroughly washing
hands and wearing
appropriate personal
protective equipment.

Managing infection
and hazard control
by:
2. Sterilization of
instruments and cleaning
and disinfecting
operatories after each
patient.

The skills I chose for Program Competency 2 are skills that I take a great deal of
pride in. I take infection control standards very seriously. I know that it is often
easy to become complacent and skip steps over time and if it gets too busy.
Everything I learned about managing infection control, I have taken to heart.
Patients expect offices to take infection control measures and I want to be
100% confident that I have done my part in making sure I am protecting every
patient that is in my operatory. I would never want any patient harmed because
I did not do something correctly. Hand washing protects not only my patients
but it protects me and anyone I interact with in my personal life. I am so highly
tuned into infection control that it is easy for me to see when things are not
being done completely or correctly.

Performing clinical supportive procedures by:
1. Preparing tray set ups.

2. Apply topical anesthetic.

3. Effectively provide oral evacuation.

The skills I have listed for Program Competency 3 are basic skills that I have gained much
experience in during my schooling. Preparing tray set ups ahead of time is important for the
schedule to flow and to be on time. It is important to know what the procedure is going to be so
that the correct instruments and materials will be set up. Often it is the duty of the dental assistant
to have instruments that are procedure specific all ready so that it is as simple as just grabbing the
correct set that will be needed. It is important to have everything you need so you don’t need to
leave the room during a procedure. This skill is something that needs to constantly be thought
about. Some patients will require different materials even for a similar procedure. It also is
important to know what materials and instruments the doctor prefers to use. Applying topical
anesthetic is a simple task but knowing what type of injection and where in the mouth the injection
will be does require some thinking. I often get confused translating between the chart and making
sure I am correct with my “rights” and “lefts”. It is important to provide proper oral evacuation for
not only the dentist but the patient. It is tricky sometimes to figure out the best spot to be while
the doctor is working to make sure you aren’t in the line of sight for him or her. It also is important
to retract areas of the oral cavity and the cheeks to make sure the doctor has a clear view and also
will not touch areas that do not need to be worked on. I also am continuously making sure the
patient does not fill up with water and saliva and that I am grabbing any debris while the doctor
works.

The ability to perform management
procedures by:
1. Operating computer and dental software.
2. Demonstrating business ethics and
jurisprudence.
3. Managing recall systems.

In today’s technology world, knowing how to use the computer and dental software is a must. Most
offices are now all computerized on some level. While I have not learned everything there is about
dental software, I know that there are a lot of functions it can do and data it can keep track of. I
have not gotten as much time with a program as I might like, but I am a fast learner when it comes
to computers and I know I will pick it up as I go along. It is also important in today’s technologically
driven world that we protect the information of patients. It is the law but it is also ethical to keep
patient information private. Following the HIPAA will be one of the best ways to keep information
secure. It is also important to implement patient privacy in the treatment chair. I would never
share information on a patient that was not relevant to anyone else. Managing recall systems is
important for the office to continue operation. If there are no patients to be treated, then there is
no office to run. It is important for everyone that the patient is not forgotten about and that there
is a recall system in effect. There are many different recall systems so the patient does not feel
forgotten about.

Assisting in the management of
dental/medical emergencies.
1. Administer CPR when indicated.

I chose CPR as my skill because I have the certification. I have held this
certification many times in my life. I, thankfully, have never had to use in a
real life situation. I hope that if a time arises when I need it that I will jump
into action. It is difficult to assess how one will be in an emergency situation
until it happens. I am confident in the training I have received and would like
to think that if something should happen, that I will be one of the first to
react.

Manipulates dental materials and performs
laboratory procedures.
1. Mix dental cements.

Manipulates dental
materials and performs
2. Demonstrates pouring,
trimming, and finishing of
study models.

Manipulates dental materials and performs
3. Fabricate custom trays.

During the past year in school and externship, I have been able to learn and gain experience in all types of dental
materials. I have chosen mixing dental cements because while this may seem like a basic function, one must know
about the materials he or she is using and which type of cementation is needed. I have mixed many different types
of cements ranging from zinc phosphate which must be added in smallest to small increments to ZOE cement that
can be mixed to either a primary or secondary consistency. I have had less experience with zinc phosphate in the
clinical setting but have mixed permanent cement at chairside for cementation of zirconia crowns.
Also in school and a clinical setting I have poured and trimmed models. In school, I have only made a study model
that included the step of finishing with a gloss once. In the clinical setting, I was making models to be mounted on an
articulator. However, it is in the clinical setting that I have learned more skills to make better models. It was
stressed in the clinical setting to not have air bubbles in the model and have learned how to better remove the air
from the gypsum before it sets. I feel confident in my ability to pour models but do have limited experience thus far
in trimming but am able to do so.
I have made acrylic custom trays in the school setting and have made putty custom trays in the clinical setting. Both
systems allow for a tray that better fits the patient’s mouth in order to have a more accurate impression. I feel as if
I have only touched on these clinically but feel confident in my knowledge on how they are made. At both of my
clinical sites, I have seen the putty system being used more than the acrylic system which has more steps and time
needed.

The ability to comply with ethical, legal, and
professional standards.
1. Adhere to the Baker College Dental Assisting Dress
code.
2. Comply with the Michigan board of Dentistry
Administrative Rules.
3. Demonstrate the ability to follow rules.

I have chosen these three skills because I have taken all of them to heart during my time at Baker. I
have always been a rule-follower and do not like to feel like I am compromising my personal ethics.
I understand why a dress code was implemented and why it needs to be followed. As with anything
in life, first impressions are important and looking professional is that first step. Patients will take
you more seriously when you look and sound professional. I know I will continue to follow the dress
code that is implemented at my future job site.
I have spent many weeks learning the Michigan Board of Dentistry rules and regulations. It is very
important to me that I do not find myself breaking the law. I am not one to get in trouble very
often and have never found myself in trouble with the law. These two skills are summed up in the
third of being able to follow rules. If I am told what the rules are, I will do my best to always follow
them as long as they are ethically sound. This is not an area to critically think about as rules are
black and white; either you are following them or you aren’t.

Providing oral health instruction.
1. Provide preventative oral
hygiene instructions/education.

2. Provide nutritional instructions/education.

3. Demonstrate the use and care of dental
appliances.

These are three skills that I have become very comfortable with and understand the importance my
role is in explaining these to patients. Preventative dentistry can start at patient education on how
to properly brush, floss, and rinse at home. It also includes educating them on the importance of
not only home care but explaining on why it is important to visit the dentist for regular
maintenance. Preventive dentistry also includes educating on the importance of nutrition and how
that affects the oral cavity and can also benefit the body and mind. I understand all of these factors
because I have been educated in them and it is my role to pass this onto my patients. It is also
important to let patients know when they are doing things right. As far as educating the patient on
the use and care of dental appliances, I have gained a lot of experience in that at my second office
at an orthodontist. Each patient receiving new braces and new retainers need to know how to care
for them properly. There are certain instructions that need to be followed when having a dental
appliance that includes not only how to clean them but what foods can harm the appliance and its
effects on the patient. It is important to know your patient when educating them on all three of
these skills and it starts by listening to them. Not everyone is the same and has the same abilities or
resources. Sometimes it is necessary to personalize these instructions to each patient. I feel as if
my education has helped me be able to do this and I will get even better at it as I am in the field
longer.

Performing Registered Dental Assistant
functions.
● Place and contour pit and fissure sealants.
● Apply fluoride agents.
● Place and remove a dental dam.
● Prepare and place temporary intracoronal restorations.
● Place and remove a periodontal dressing.
● Remove supragingival cement.
● Prepare, place and remove non-epinephrine retraction cords.
● Select and adapt temporary crowns and bands for sizing.
● Cement orthodontic bands.
● Initially place orthodontic brackets.
● Make final impressions for indirect restorations.
● Remove orthodontic elastics, ligatures, and separators.
● Etch and place adhesives prior to placement of orthodontic brackets.

Performing Registered Dental Assistant
functions.
● Prepare, place and remove non-epinephrine retraction cords.
● Select and adapt temporary crowns and bands for sizing.
● Cement orthodontic bands.
● Initially place orthodontic brackets.
● Make final impressions for indirect restorations.
● Remove orthodontic elastics, ligatures, and separators.
● Etch and place adhesives prior to placement of orthodontic brackets.

I must admit that when I first learned about dental
assisting, I had no idea what a Registered Dental
Assistant could do and that there were differences if
you weren’t registered. However, I am glad I have
chosen the path of being a Registered Dental Assistant
because of all the functions I am allowed to do. While I
have not had much clinical experience in all the
functions, I feel as if my education has prepared me to
know the basics of all the functions and with more
clinical experience and time, I will perfect these
functions. Like I have said before, each patient is
different and sometimes that means personalizing
treatment in special situations. I like that being able to
think critically is part of this role. I am not afraid of
new challenges as that is what learning is all about. I
am very excited to start my new career in dentistry as
a Registered Dental Assistant. I know that my role is
vital to a dental office and the dentist.

Dental Assisting Portfolio

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