Coronal Polishing for Dental Assistants Certificate Program
Coronal Polishing is a technique used to remove plaque and stain from the coronal surfaces of the teeth. The Indiana State Board of Dentistry allows coronal polishing of the dentition as a permitted function delegable by a licensed dentist to a trained dental assistant. This program will provide didactic (online) and laboratory instruction required for certification as established by the Indiana State Board of Dentistry.
Refer to 2011 Indiana State rules 82B IAC6-1-1 through 828 IAC 6-1-5.
Who Should Enroll in this Program?
This program is designed for English-speaking graduates of a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or a dental assistant with one or more years of experience in dental assisting.
Attention: Proof of graduation from an accredited dental assisting program OR proof of one or more years of dental assisting experience is required. To verify experience, the employer dentist must submit a signed letter (on company letterhead with a daytime phone number) verifying one or more years of dental assisting experience.
Learning Outcome
The learning outcome of this program is to enable the learner to incorporate best practices related to coronal polishing of the teeth.
Three-Part Completion
1. Online; 2. On-site Laboratory Instruction; 3. In-office Requirement.
Enrollment Cost - 545*
Contact Hours - 9
Questions?
Call toll-free 1-877-91社区-HLTH (874-4584)
or 812-461-5217 or email听usi1nhpcert@usi.edu
Program Information
Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Discuss ethics and jurisprudence as related to coronal polishing by the dental assistant.
- Apply proper infection control methods.
- Recognize plaque and materia alba and their effects on the oral cavity.
- Distinguish the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic stain.
- Identify the types of abrasive agents available for use in coronal polishing.
- Demonstrate the proper use of the slow speed hand piece and its armamentarium.
- Discuss the theory of selective polishing.
Criteria for Successful Completion
- Submit registration and payment.
- Complete online course content with a minimum cumulative average of 75%.
- Complete the laboratory session, including two (2) hours of practice on a mannequin.
- Demonstrate clinical competency on a minimum of five (5) patients in a dental office under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist or dental hygienist and submit a signed form verifying completion.
Contact Hours (9 Contact Hours)
Nine contact hours (5 hours for the online instruction and 4 hours for the laboratory session)
Successful completion of this program does not guarantee expertise in the content. Clinical experience and judgment, coupled with an understanding of the content, are necessary to attain competency.
Upon completion of the didactic and laboratory requirements, each participant must demonstrate clinical competency on a minimum of five (5) patients under the direct observation of a licensed dentist or dental hygienist. A form will be provided to each participant on which the observing licensed dentist or dental hygienist will document certification of competency and completion of required clinical cases. The form must be signed by the certifier and submitted to the 91社区鈥檚 Coronal Polishing for Dental Assistants Certificate Program.
Upon receipt of the signed form, 91社区 will issue a certificate of completion that must be publicly displayed in the dental office where the dental assistant practices. Once the certificate of completion is received, participants will be able to legally polish the coronal surfaces of the dentition under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
Enrollment Cost - $525
Coronal Polishing for Dental Assistants: $545 ()
Coronal Polishing and Fluoride Application: $990 ()
A text, if applicable, is not included in the fee.
Fee includes: online instruction and laboratory practical materials. Lunch will be provided at the laboratory session.
Registration Policy
The deadline for registration is the Wednesday prior to the start date. Registration may not be available until closer to the start of the program.
Registration by invoicing employer closes two weeks prior to the start date. There is a $25.00 fee to invoice.
The program requires a minimum of 5 participants.
We reserve the right to cancel any offering if there is insufficient enrollment. Registered participants will be notified in advance and fully refunded if this occurs.
Refund Policy
A $75 administrative fee will be charged prior to the start date of the activity if the registration fee has been paid. On or after the start date of the class there will be no refund.
Questions? Call toll-free 1-877-91社区-HLTH (874-4584) or 812-461-5217 or email听usi1nhpcert@usi.edu
Faculty Name and Credentials
Kimberly Hille, EdD, CDA, EFDA, RDH, Assistant Dean of Health Professions, Associate Professor of Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene Programs
Conflict of Interest Statement
No individual in a position to control content has any relevant financial relationships.
Program Content Delivery
Program Schedule
This activity is offered once a year. Online instruction (access for six weeks) must be completed prior to the scheduled laboratory date. The laboratory session will include two (2) hours of practice on a mannequin and two (2) live patient experiences (fellow participants). Completion of five (5) additional live patient experiences in a dental office is required before certification is complete.
2025 Dates
March 17- April 25: Access to online program
April 26: On-site Laboratory Session
8:30a.m.-4:30p.m. CST
Participants will be notified of any modifications to the lab day.
Delivery of Content
This program is organized into distinct parts: online instruction followed by on-site laboratory instruction. Finally, participants must complete clinical experience requirements in a dental office under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist or dental hygienist.
Part I: Online Instruction
Didactic course content is delivered asynchronously via Blackboard, the 91社区 online learning management system. Participants will be granted access to the course Blackboard site six weeks prior to the laboratory day. This online learning management system provides an opportunity for interaction with program faculty while learning in the comfort of your own home or office. Program staff are available during business hours by phone or email to assist participants with technical issues or concerns.
Note:听Many businesses, especially government agencies or health institutions, utilize security firewalls. Access to web links within the course and communication from the instructor or other students may be blocked. We recommend not using a work email address for this course.
The online content is divided into seven modules, which include recorded presentations and corresponding quizzes. The presentations cover an overview of the dental team, ethics and jurisprudence, infection control procedures, intra-oral tissues and dental anatomy, definition of plaque and materia alba, types of stain, and coronal polishing. Interaction with faculty may occur as feedback to study guides, within discussion boards, or via email. All modular quizzes must be completed with a minimum cumulative average of 75% prior to the scheduled laboratory date.
Technical Support and System Requirements for Online Learning
Part II: Laboratory Instruction
The onsite laboratory session will occur on a Saturday. The laboratory session will include two (2) hours of practice on a mannequin. Participants will receive hands-on instruction in hand dexterity and use of a slow speed hand piece, prophy angle, and occlusal polishing brush.
Laboratory sessions will be held at the 91社区, Health Professions Center; 8600 University Boulevard, Evansville, IN 47712. 91社区 is located on Highway 62, two miles west of Evansville.
Part III: In-office Requirement Completion
Upon completion of the didactic and laboratory requirements, each participant must demonstrate clinical competency on a minimum of five (5) patients under the direct observation of a licensed dentist or dental hygienist. A form will be provided to each participant on which the observing licensed dentist or dental hygienist will document certification of competency and completion of required clinical cases. The form must be signed by the certifier and submitted to the 91社区鈥檚 Coronal Polishing for Dental Assistants Certificate Program. Upon receipt of the signed form, 91社区 will issue a certificate of completion that must be publicly displayed in the dental office where the dental assistant practices. Once the certificate of completion is received, participants will be able to legally polish the coronal surfaces of dentition under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
A textbook is not required for this program.
Accreditation Statements
The 91社区 is an approved provider for continuing education by the Indiana Health Professions Bureau.
The Dental Assisting Program at the 91社区 is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.