Dental Charting

Dental Assisting

This module provides knowledge about dental charting procedures.

The dental assistant plays an important role in the process of oral diagnosis and treatment planning, and uses dental charting as a tool to classify and record this health information about a patient. Learn how to document preexisting restorations and conditions, current treatment needs, and periodontal health. Including both Learn and Test modes, the online simulator offers clinical scenarios that test your ability to perform dental charting. Practice the steps of the procedures online as often as you want, until you feel confident.

You'll learn

how to prepare the dental chart
the differences in tooth diagrams, including anatomical and geometric charting using the Universal/National Numbering System
how to record findings on a dental chart
the steps for periodontal charting
much more (see Content Details for more specific information)

Introduction

Step 1 - Preparation

Step 1.1 - Equipment preparation

Step 1.2 - Dental assistant preparation

Step 1.3 - Patient preparation

Step 2 - Dental charting

Step 2.1 - Explain procedure to patient

Step 2.2 - Prepare the dental chart

Step 2.3 - Record the findings on the dental chart

Step 2.4 - Complete procedure

Step 3 - Periodontal charting

Step 3.1 - Explain the procedure to the patient

Step 3.2 - Record measurements

Step 3.3 - Complete the procedure

Explain the purpose of dental charting.
Detail the differences in tooth diagrams, including anatomical and geometric charting using the Universal/National Numbering System.
Choose the appropriate surfaces and classifications for existing and planned restorations.
Choose the appropriate surfaces and classifications for existing conditions.
Apply the techniques of dental charting, including appropriate color coding.
Apply the steps in periodontal charting.
Describe clinical safety precautions concerning dental impressions according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines.
Describe the purpose of the state Dental Practice Act and its relevance for dental assistants.
Explain the Patient Privacy Rule (HIPAA), Patient Safety Act, and Patients' Bill of Rights.

The SIMTICS modules are all easy to use and web-based. This means they are available at any time as long as the learner has an internet connection. No special hardware or other equipment is required, other than a computer mouse for use in the simulations. Each of the SIMTICS modules covers one specific procedure or topic in detail. Each module contains:

an online simulation (available in Learn and Test modes)
descriptive text, which explains exactly how to perform that particular procedure including key terms and hyperlinks to references
2D images and a 3D model of applied anatomy for that particular topic
a step by step video demonstration by an expert
a quiz
a personal logbook that keeps track of all the modules the learner has studied and how long