The Air Force Dental Assistant Apprentice program provides students with formal education and training that develops them into entry-level dental assistants within fixed and deployable medical facilities.
Students are trained in the basic dental disciplines of: head anatomy, elementary physiology, dental administration, and dental procedures. Performance-based training is conducted for: infection control, general chairside, and radiology procedures in simulated and on-the-job clinical environments.
Students mix dental materials, maintain dental equipment, and perform basic oral hygiene procedures. Dental skill demonstrations and practice are provided in laboratory settings. Additionally, during the students’ upgrade training, utilizing medical treatment facilities (MTF), students will perform a clinical rotation through a dental clinic to be active participants in chairside dentistry to include, but not limited to, the following: exams, operative procedures, oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics. Students must demonstrate entry level mastery of the following: professional behavior, written and verbal communication, chairside assisting skills, radiology and general skills including safety, charting, infection control (via Central Sterilization Room), and patient verification.
The instructional design of the program is group-lock step. Methods of instruction include, but are not limited to: lecture, demonstration, online materials, simulations, laboratory practice, and practical exercises. Quality control and safety techniques are emphasized throughout the program. Clinical rotations will be conducted while utilizing work spaces designated for providing dental services for patients.
As an Air Force dental assistant you may be exposed to bloodborne infectious disease. Please click the following link to access associating policies: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030. |