First Things First
You start in a 72-hour course called Outreach Preventive Dentistry that was developed specifically for the sealant program. It amounts to an intensive overview of beginning dentistry. The course lasts until Thanksgiving break and the content includes everything you need to participate in the sealant program. You'll learn how to put together the portable dental chairs and how to use all of the tools in the kits that go with them.
More importantly, you start to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for working with patients. Part of you Healthy Smiles responsibilities will be evaluating the child's health history on a form filled out by parents. If your patient's health history says that he or she takes Ritalin, for instance, you'll know what to do, because Outreach Preventive Dentistry includes pharmacology enough to prepare you.
Healthy Smiles is a win-win situation. Kids at risk for a lifetime of tooth problems get started out on the right foot. And so do you. |
