Directed by Philadelphia Tech Prep Partnership
Office of Secondary Education
School District of Philadelphia Technical Curriculum
Health Professions
High School, Level I
Duty R: Dental Assisting
Competency #10: Capable of selecting, preparing and maintaining materials and
medicaments for dental procedures.
Additional Competencies: E3, F5
Approximate Time: (3) 45-minute periods.
Prerequisite Skills
Technical Competencies
R. Dental Assisting
1. Identify the different health care settings (e.g. home care, long term care, rehabilitation, acute
care, public health, occupational, research, biotechnology, product development, etc.) and how
it impacts operation due to the institutional accreditation of each.
10. Knowledge of required instruments, materials and equipment for dental procedures.
G. Safety Procedures
1. Practice infection control procedures.
2. Practice personal safety in carrying out duties.
3. Incorporate methods to promote environmental safety.
Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening*
1.1.8 Learning to Read Independently
B. Identify and use common organizational structures and graphic features to comprehend
information.
C. Use knowledge of root words as well as context clues and glossaries to understand specialized
vocabulary in the content areas during reading. Use these words accurately in speaking and
writing.
D. Identify basic facts and ideas in text using specific strategies (e.g. recall genre characteristics,
set a purpose for reading, generate essential questions as aids to comprehension and clarify
understanding through rereading and discussion).
E. Expand a reading vocabulary by identifying and correctly using idioms and words with literal
and figurative meanings. Use a dictionary or related reference.
F. Understand the meaning of and apply key vocabulary across the various subject areas.
* Academic Standards, Pennsylvania Department of Education
V0408 Community College of Philadelphia
Duty R: Dental Assisting Page 2
Competency #10: Capable of selecting, preparing and maintaining materials and medicaments for dental procedures.
G. Demonstrate after reading understanding and interpretation of both fiction and nonfiction text,
including public documents.
H. Demonstrate fluency and comprehension in reading.
1.2.8 Reading Critically in All Content Areas
A. Read and understand essential content of informational texts and documents in all academic
areas.
1.6.8 Speaking and Listening
A. Listen to others.
C. Speak using skills appropriate to formal speech situations.
D. Contribute to discussions.
E. Participate in small and large group discussions and presentations.
Mathematics*
None
Science and Technology*
None
Performance Standards
Performance Standard Suggested Evaluation Method
1. Without the use of notes, the students will be able to explain Written test
the procedure for mixing cavity varnish, liner and dental
amalgam with 85% accuracy.
2. Given a list of words, the students will be able to define key Written test
terms relating to dental cements, bases and restorative
materials.
Suggested Projects
None
Multiple Intelligence Types
Verbal/Linguistic
Visual/Spatial
Body/Kinesthetic
Intrapersonal
Interpersonal
Resources
1. Textbook: Diversified Health Occupations, Sixth Edition
ISBN #: 1-4018-1456-5
Author: L. Simmers
Publisher: Delmar Publishing
www.delmarlearning.com
* Academic Standards, Pennsylvania Department of Education
V0408 Community College of Philadelphia
Duty R: Dental Assisting Page 3
Competency #10: Capable of selecting, preparing and maintaining materials and medicaments for dental procedures.
2. Workbook: Diversified Health Occupations, Sixth Edition
ISBN #: 1-4018-1456-5
Author: L. Simmers
Publisher: Delmar Publishing
www.delmarlearning.com
3. Transparencies
Teacher made
Equipment/Materials/Software
1. Overhead projector
Any supplier
2. Utility gloves
Any dental supplier
3. Mask
Any dental supplier
4. Safety glasses
Any dental supplier
5. Antimicrobial soap
Any supplier
6. Disposable towels
Any supplier
7. Cavity varnish
Any dental supplier
8. Cotton pellets
Any dental supplier
9. College pliers
Any dental supplier
10. Cotton rolls
Any dental supplier
11. Cavity liner
Any dental supplier
12. Mixing pad
Any dental supplier
13. Small spatula
Any dental supplier
14. Ball-point instrument
Any dental supplier
15. Pre-measured alloy capsules
Any dental supplier
16. Amalgamator
Any dental supplier
17. Amalgam well and carrier
Any dental supplier
V0408 Community College of Philadelphia
Duty R: Dental Assisting Page 4
Competency #10: Capable of selecting, preparing and maintaining materials and medicaments for dental procedures.
Suggested Learning Sequence
Overview Outline Resources/Equipment
Performance
Standards 1 &
2
Introduction The instructor will introduce the topic and discuss the Resource #1, Page 529
role of the dental assistant in the preparation of dental
cements and restorative materials.
Academic Standards: 1.6.8 A
Presentation/ The instructor will explain: Resources #1, Page 529-
Demonstration - Terms relating to dental cements and bases 532, #2, Pages 312-
(liner, base, luting, etc.). 313, Exercises 13a,
- Purpose of a liner and varnish. 13b, #3
- Components for preparing cavity varnish. Equipment #1 through #14
- Procedure for mixing cavity liner.
The instructor will:
- Gather and explain the use of armamentaria
necessary for the demonstration on preparing
cavity varnish and mixing cavity liner.
- Wash hands; don all PPE to demonstrate the
procedure for preparing cavity varnish and
mixing cavity liner.
- Demonstrate proper disposal of unused/excess
material.
Academic Standards: 1.6.8 A
Activity The instructor will: Resource #2, Pages 312-
- Provide the students with PPE. 313, Exercises 13a, 13b
- Students will wash hands and don PPE. Equipment #2 through #14
- Students will form diverse groups to practice
procedure for preparing cavity varnish and
mixing cavity liner.
- Have the students check each other’s techniques
and give feedback using the worksheet.
Academic Standards: 1.6.8 A, C, D, E
Reading Have the students read outside of class about preparing Resources #1, Pages 529-
Assignment cavity varnish, mixing cavity liner and preparation of 532, #2, complete
restorative materials (dental amalgam). assignment sheet 17:13
on Page 311, #2,
complete assignment
sheet 17:14 on Page
316 (questions 1-7
Academic Standards: 1.1.8 B-G only)
V0408 Community College of Philadelphia
Duty R: Dental Assisting Page 5
Competency #10: Capable of selecting, preparing and maintaining materials and medicaments for dental procedures.
Presentation Instructor will explain: Resource #1, Pages 536-
- Terms relating to restorative materials. 537
- Safety precautions when using amalgam and Equipment #1, #3
mercury.
- Composition of dental amalgam (alloy).
- Difference between low copper (traditional) ally
and high copper alloy.
- Procedure for controlling a mercury spill.
- Use of a mercury-spill kit.
- Use of amalgam carrier and condensers.
Instructor will discuss the ADA recommendations on
mercury hygiene.
Academic Standards: 1.6.8 A
Demonstration Instructor will: Resources #1, Pages 538-
- Gather and explain use of armamentaria 539, #2, Page 317,
necessary for the demonstration on preparing Exercise 14A
dental amalgam. Equipment #2 through #6
- Wash hands; don all PPE to demonstrate the and #15 through #17
procedure for preparing dental amalgam, using
the amalgamator and loading an amalgam
carrier.
- Demonstrate result of over- and under-
trituration of amalgam.
- Demonstrate proper disposal of unused/excess
dental amalgam into a scrap container.
Academic Standards: 1.6.8 A
Activity Instructor will: Resources #1, Pages 538-
- Provide the students with PPE. 539, #2, Page 317,
- Students will work in diverse groups to Exercise 14a
demonstrate the procedure for using the Equipment #2 through #6
amalgamator, preparing dental amalgam and and #15 through #17
loading an amalgam carrier.
- Demonstrate proper disposal of unused/excess
dental amalgam into a scrap container.
- Have the students check each other’s technique
and give feedback using the worksheet.
Academic Standards: 1.6.8 A, C, D, E
Test Preparing cavity varnish, mixing calcium hydroxide and Teacher-generated written
preparing restorative materials (excluding composites). test
Related SCANS/Soft Skills
Resources
None
Interpersonal
A. Participates as Member of a Team
B. Teaches Others New Skills
F. Works With Diversity
V0408 Community College of Philadelphia
Duty R: Dental Assisting Page 6
Competency #10: Capable of selecting, preparing and maintaining materials and medicaments for dental procedures.
Information
None
Systems
None
Technology
None
Thinking Skills
None
Personal Qualities
None
Related Worksite/Workbased Activities
None
Additional Resources
1. Textbook: Torres and Ehrlich Modern Dental Assisting, Seventh Edition
ISBN #: 0-7216-7627-8
Authors: D. Bird and D. Robinson
Publisher: Elsevier
www.elsevier.com
2. Textbook: Dental Assistant, Seventh Edition
ISBN #: 0-76681113-1
Authors: A. Pendleton & P Anderson
Publisher: Delmar
www.delmarlearning.com
______________________________
This planning guide was written by Donna Eastabrooks, Assistant Professor, Manor College, Jenkintown, PA.
V0408 Community College of Philadelphia