Dental Assisting Program Curriculum
Instructors: Derriece Davis/Amy Amaya/Ricardo Delgado
- The practice of general dentistry
- Dental specialties (orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery)
- Role of dental assistant
- Role of expanded duty dental assistant
- Dental office overview: equipment, setting up and breaking chairs, procedure tray set up
- LAB: Dental chair set-up, tray set-up
- Anatomy of the Oral Cavity
- Dental anatomy (tooth structure, type of teeth)
- LAB: typodont review
- Numbering teeth (primary, permanent, Universal system, Palmer notation)
- Dental anomaly (missing teeth, peg-shaped laterals, etc.)
- LAB: records review
- Setting up chairs (morning)
- Procedure tray set up
- Breaking down chairs (at the end of the day)
- LAB: Chair set-up, tray set-up
- Assistant duties
- Suctioning
- Four-handed dentistry
- LAB: Four-handed dentistry
- Anesthetics (topical, local)
- Nitrous oxide
- Anti-Anxiety/sedation
- LAB: Anesthetics
- Antibiotic Pre-Medication
- Analgesics
- Medical history and medical records
- LAB: Medical record taking
- Pathology of teeth (decalcification, caries)
- Pathology of soft tissues (gingivitis, periodontitis)
- LAB: Case review
- Congenitally missing teeth
- Impacted teeth
- Tooth loss
- Oral and dental trauma
- LAB: Case review
- Direct dental restorations (composite filling, amalgam filling, bonding)
- Indirect restorations (crowns, onlays, inlays, bridges)
- LAB: Instrument and material review, four-handed dental assisting
- Removable dental restorations (partial dentures, fixed dentures, implant-supported dentures)
- Implants and implant-supported restorations (fixed, removable)
- LAB: Instrument and material review, four-handed dental assisting
- Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): gloves, safety goggles, masks, etc.
- Hepatitis and HIV: What Every Dental Healthcare Worker Needs to Know
- Hand Hygiene: Infection Control/Exposure Control Issues for Oral Healthcare Workers
- LAB: PPE, chair set up
- Sterilization and Disinfection of Patient-care Items in Oral Healthcare Settings
- LAB: Disinfection and instrument processing (ultrasonic, autoclave, etc.)
- Radiology overview
- Intraoral radiology (periapical, bitewings)
- LAB: X-ray taking
- Radiology overview
- Extraoral radiology (panoramic, cephalometric)
- LAB: X-ray taking
- Orthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry (extended duty assistants)
- LAB: Typodont and instrument overview
- Periodontics
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- LAB: Instrument and material overview
- Restorative dental materials (amalgam, composite, bonding agents)
- Cements
- LAB: Introduction to materials
- Impression materials (alginate, PVS)
- Stones
- LAB: Impression taking and model pour up
- Coronal polishing State regulations
- Coronal polishing procedure
- Pit and Fissure sealant State regulations
- Pit and Fissure sealant placement procedure
Orthodontic Assisting Program Curriculum
Instructors: Roxanne Santana/Chandra McGee/Lynn Hines
- Practice of orthodontics
- Role of an orthodontic assistant
- Advanced dental anatomy
- Abnormalities of teeth and malocclusions
- Common orthodontic problems
- Instrument overview
- Orthodontic assistant duties
- Orthodontic procedures
- Orthodontic instruments
- Orthodontic instruments cont.
- Chair setup
- Procedure tray setup
- Consultation and records
- Photography
- Record taking
- Radiographs
- Consultation appointments
- Orthodontic appliances and procedures
- Fixed appliances
- Removable appliances
- Application of separators
- Bonding and banding
- Adjustments and de-bonds
- Patient teaching
- Oral hygiene instructions
- Appliances instructions
- Patient teaching cont.
- Appliances instructions
- Internship requirements
Medical Office Administrative Assistant Program Curriculum
Instructors: Deyon Coffi/ Rebecca Howard
- Responsibilities of the Medical Assistant
- Characteristics of Professional Medical Assistants
- Scope of Practice and Standards of Care for Medical Assistants
- Professional Medical Assisting Organizations, Credentials, and Continuing Education
- How to Succeed as a Medical Assistant Student
- The History of Medicine
- Practicing Professionalism as a Team Member
- First Impressions
- Diversity and Communication
- Nonverbal Communication
- Verbal Communication
- Understanding Behavior
- Sources of Law
- Criminal and Civil Law
- Tort Law
- Contracts
- Consent
- Patient’s Bill of Rights
- Practice Requirements
- Personal and Professional Ethics
- Principles of Healthcare Ethics
- Ethical Issues
- Types of Medical Terms
- Decoding Terms
- Building Terms
- Singular/Plural Rules
- Common Combining Forms
- Anatomy Review
- Surface Anatomy Terminology
- Positional and Directional Terminology
- Body Cavities
- Body Planes
- Coaching
- Making Changes for Health
- Basics of Teaching and Learning
- Coaching on Disease Prevention
- Coaching on Health Maintenance and Wellness
- Coaching on Diagnostic Tests
- Coaching on Treatment Plans
- Care Coordination
- Computers in Ambulatory Care
- Maintaining Computer Hardware
- Computer Workstation Ergonomics
- Purchasing Computer Hardware
- Software Used in Ambulatory Care
- Computer Network Privacy and Security
- Continual Technologic Advances in Healthcare
- Fundamentals of Written Communication
- Written Correspondence
- Telephone Equipment
- Telephone Equipment Needs of a Healthcare Facility
- Effective Use of the Telephone
- Managing Telephone Calls
- Typical Incoming Calls
- Special Incoming Calls
- Handling Difficult Calls
- Typical Outgoing Calls
- Using Directory Assistance
- Telephone Services
- Scheduling Appointments
- Patient Processing
- Types of Records
- Importance of Accurate Health Records
- Contents of the Health Record
- Ownership of the Health Record
- The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) and Meaningful Use
- Capabilities of Electronic Health Record Systems
- Maintaining a Connection With the Patient When Using the Electronic Health Record
- Backup Systems for the Electronic Health Record
- Retention and Destruction of Health Records
- Releasing Health Record Information
- Organization of the Health Record
- Documenting in an Electronic Health Record
- Documenting in a Paper Health Record
- Making Corrections and Alterations to Health Records
- Dictation and Transcription
- Creating an Efficient Paper Health Records Management System
- Opening and Closing the Healthcare Facility
- Equipment and Supplies
- Safety and Security
- Pharmacology Basics
- Drug Legislation and the Ambulatory Care Setting
- Drug Names
- Drug Reference Information
- Types of Medication Orders
- Over-the-Counter Medications and Herbal Supplements
- Benefits
- Health Insurance Plans
- Health Insurance Models
- Participating Provider Contracts
- The Medical Assistant’s Role
- Other Types of Insurance
- The Affordable Care Act
- The History of Medical Coding
- What Is Diagnostic Coding?
- Getting to Know the ICD-10-CM
- Preparing for Diagnostic Coding
- Steps in ICD-10-CM Coding
- Understanding Coding Guidelines
- Maximizing Third-Party Reimbursement
- Providers and Accurate Coding
- Introduction to the CPT Manual
- Code Categories in the CPT Manual
- Organization of the CPT Manual
- Documentation for CPT Coding
- Steps for Efficient CPT Procedural Coding
- Using the Alphabetic Index
- Using the Tabular List
- CPT Coding Guidelines: Evaluation and Management Section
- Hcpcs Code Set and Manual
- Common HCPCS Coding Guidelines
- Medical Billing Process
- Types of Information Found in the Patient’s Billing Record
- Managed Care Policies and Procedures
- Submitting Claims to Third-Party Payers
- Generating Electronic Claims
- Completing the CMS-1500 Health Insurance Claim Form
- Accurate Coding to Prevent Fraud and Abuse
- Preventing Rejection of a Claim
- Checking the Status of a Claim
- Explanation of Benefits
- The Patient’s Financial Responsibility
- Managing Funds in the Healthcare Facility
- Bookkeeping in the Healthcare Facility
- Accounts Receivable (A/R)
- Accounts Payable (A/P)
- Employee Payroll
- Medical Office Management
- Office Management Responsibilities
- Creating a Team Environment
- Finding the Right Employee for the Job
- Policies and Procedures
- Emergencies in Healthcare Settings
- Emergency Equipment and Supplies
- Handling Emergencies
Billing and Coding Program Curriculum
Instructors: Colinda Kram/Deyon Coffi
- Background of Insurance Claims, Coding, and Billing
- Role of the Insurance Billing Specialist
- Medical Etiquette
- Medical Ethics
- Employer Liability
- Employee Liability
- Scope of Practice
- Future Challenges
- Compliance Defined
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
- The Privacy Rule: Confidentiality and Protected Health Information
- The Security Rule: Administrative, Technical, and Physical Safeguards
- Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act
- Fraud and Abuse Laws
- Compliance Program Guidance for Individual and Small Group Physician Practices
- What to Expect from your Health Care Practice
- History of Health Insurance in the United States
- Health Care Reform
- Legal Principles of Insurance
- Physician–Patient Contracts and Financial Obligation
- The Insurance Policy
- Choice of Health Insurance
- Types of Health Insurance Coverage
- Handling and Processing Insurance Claims
- The Documentation Process
- Incentive Programs for Adoption of Electronic Health Records
- General Principles of Health Record Documentation
- Documentation Terminology
- Abstracting from Medical Records
- Documentation Guidelines for Evaluation and Management Services
- Diagnosis Coding for Outpatient Professional Services
- International Classification of Diseases
- ICD-10 Diagnosis and Procedure Codes
- Official Guidelines for ICD-10-CM
- Understanding the Importance of Procedural Coding Skills
- Methods of Payment
- Format and Content of the CPT Code Book
- Code Modifiers
- The Paper Claim CMS-1500 (02-12)
- Abstracting From Medical Records
- Health Insurance Claim Form (CMS-1500 [02-12])
- Common Reasons why Claim Forms are Delayed or Rejected
- Additional Claim Submission Errors
- Instructions for Completing the Health Insurance Claim Form (CMS-1500 [02-12])
- Insurance Program Templates
- Electronic Data Interchange
- Electronic Claims
- Advantages of Electronic Claim Submission
- Clearinghouses
- Electronic Standard HIPAA 837P
- Practice Management System
- Putting HIPAA Standard Transactions to Work
- Electronic Remittance Advice
- Methods for Sending Claims
- Records Management
- Response From a Submitted Claim
- Explanation of Benefits
- Claim Management Techniques
- Problem Claims
- Rebilling
- Review and Appeal Process
- Filing an Appeal
- State Insurance Commissioner
- Cash Flow Cycle
- Accounts Receivable
- Patient Education
- Credit and Collection Laws
- The Collection Process
- Private Insurance
- Managed Care
- Medical Review
- Management of Plans
- Plan Administration
- Financial Management
- Background
- Policies and Regulations
- Medicare Managed Care Plans
- Utilization and Quality Control
- Payment Fundamentals
- Medicare Reimbursement
- Claim Submission
- Medicaid Programs
- Medicaid Eligibility
- Medicaid Benefits
- Claim Procedures
- After Claim Submission
- History of TRICARE
- TRICARE Programs
- Veterans Health Administration Program
- Claims Procedure
- Workers’ Compensation Laws and Insurance
- Eligibility
- Coverage
- Types of State Claims
- Fraud and Abuse
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act of 1970
- Legal Situations
- Reporting Requirements
- Claim Submission
- Disability Claims
- Disability Income Insurance
- Federal Disability Programs
- State Disability Insurance
- Health Insurance Reimbursement
- Patient Accounts Representative
- Admissions Procedures
- Utilization Review
- Coding Hospital Diagnoses and Procedures
- Coding Inpatient Procedures
- Coding Hospital Outpatient Procedures
- Reimbursement Process
- Outpatient Insurance Claims
- Billing Problems
- Employment Opportunities
- Job Search
- Self-Employment
Frequently Asked Questions
Illinois Dental Careers applicants must be 18 years or older by the time of their program completion.
20 MODULES/2.5 HOURS EACH, OFFERED TWICE A WEEK IN THE EVENING (PLEASE, REFER TO ACADEMIC CALENDAR, POSTED IN SCHOOL CATALOG, FOR DETAILS), EACH INCLUDE THEORETICAL AND CLINICAL COMPONENTS, COVERING DENTAL AND ORAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY, CHAIRSIDE ASSISTING, RADIOLOGY, IMPRESSIONS, INSTRUMENT IDENTIFICATION, RESTORATIVE MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES, LAB MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES. THE PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES CORONAL POLISHING, PIT AND FISSURE SEALANTS PLACEMENT, INFECTION CONTROL, STERILIZATION, AND ASSISTING IN DENTAL SPECIALTIES.
10 MODULES/2.5 HOURS EACH, OFFERED ON SATURDAYS (PLEASE, REFER TO THE ACADEMIC CALENDAR, POSTED IN SCHOOL CATALOG, FOR DETAILS), FOLLOWED BY A 40-HOUR ORTHODONTIC INTERNSHIP. INCLUDE THEORETICAL AND CLINICAL COMPONENTS, COVERING ADVANCED DENTAL AND ORAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY, BASIC TO ADVANCED ORTHODONTIC CHAIRSIDE ASSISTING, ORTHODONTIC MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES, INSTRUMENTS AND PROCEDURES, APPLIANCES, INVISALIGN, RADIOLOGY, AND IMPRESSIONS. 40-HOUR ORTHODONTIC INTERNSHIP MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN ONE MONTH FROM THE DATE WHEN THE 10 ORTHODONTIC MODULES HAVE BEEN FINISHED. ORTHODONTIC INTERNSHIP CAN BE COMPLETED AT ANY OF THE FOUR ORTHODONTIC CLINICS LISTED IN THE ACADEMIC CATALOG. STUDENTS CAN ROTATE BETWEEN THE CLINICS TO FULFILL THE INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENT IN A TIMELY MANNER. INTERNSHIP FORMS MUST BE SIGNED AT THE END OF EACH INTERNSHIP DAY BY ORTHODONTIC ASSISTANT AND CLINIC MANAGER. INTERNSHIP FORMS MUST BE EMAILED TO PROGRAM COORDINATOR (ILDENTALCARE[email protected]) AT THE END OF EVERY OTHER WEEK OF THE INTERNSHIP.
ILLINOIS DENTAL CAREERS OPERATES ON A ROLLING ADMISSION BASIS, WHERE STUDENTS CHOOSE THE START AND END DATES OF THEIR PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS THEIR OWN PACE OF STUDYING. THE ONLY REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS IS TO COMPLETE AT LEAST ONE PROGRAM MODULE EVERY TWO WEEKS IN ORDER TO STAY ACTIVE IN THE PROGRAM. IF THE STUDENTS MISS A MODULE DURING THE WEEK, THEY CAN WAIT UNTIL THIS MODULE IS OFFERED AGAIN DURING THE NEXT ACADEMIC CALENDAR CYCLE AND TAKE IT AT THAT TIME.
- Students must complete all assigned modules in their programs.
- Students must attain at least a 70% overall grade in their programs.
The tuition for a Dental Assisting program offered by the Illinois Dental Careers is $3,500. The program is based on 20 modules, which are offered twice a week in the evening in all of our IDC campuses(please, see Academic Calendar for details).
The tuition for the Orthodontic Assisting program offered by Illinois Dental Careers is $1,975. This program is based on 10 modules and a 40-hrs orthodontic internship. The modules are offered on Saturdays at all of our campuses (please, see Academic Calendar for details). Internship can be done at the same location as well as three other orthodontic clinics (please, see Orthodontic Assisting Program description above).
For those students who choose to enroll in both programs, the total cost of tuition comes down to $4818 instead of $5475 (12% savings).
Additionally, tuition includes all of the following:
- Lectures: handouts and instructional materials
- Clinicals: Training materials and dental supplies
- Access to state-of-the-art technology
- Dental/Orthodontic Assisting Certificate
- Dental Assistant’s Pin
- Clinical fees
- Access to Google Classroom
Note that students are responsible for the scrubs and gym shoes or clogs to wear in class.818
DENTAL ASSISTING PROGRAM PAYMENT PLAN: $1000 DOWN PAYMENT UPON SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, FOLLOWED BY 10 WEEKLY PAYMENTS OF $250.
ORTHODONTIC ASSISTING PAYMENT PLAN: $850 DOWN PAYMENT UPON SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, FOLLOWED BY 8 WEEKLY PAYMENTS OF $140.
DENTAL AND ORTHODONTIC ASSISTING PROGRAMS COMBINED, PAYMENT PLAN: $2200 DOWN PAYMENT UPON SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, FOLLOWED BY 10 WEEKLY PAYMENTS OF $261
- Illinois Dental Careers shall, when a student gives written notice of cancellation, provide a refund in the amount of at least the following:
- When a notice of cancellation is given before midnight of the fifth business day after the date of enrollment but prior to the first day of class attendance by the student, 100% of tuition, and any other charges shall be refunded to the student;
- When notice of cancellation is given after midnight of the fifth business day following the date of enrollment but prior to the close of business on the student’s first day of class attendance, the school may retain no more than the application registration fee which may not exceed $150 or 50% of the cost of tuition, whichever is less;
- Applicants not accepted by the school shall receive a refund of all tuition and fees paid within 30 calendar days after the determination of non-acceptance is made.
- Deposits or down payments shall become part of the tuition.
- The school shall mail a written acknowledgment of a student’s cancellation or written withdrawal to the student within 15 calendar days of the postmark date of notification. Such written acknowledgment is not necessary if a refund has been mailed to the student within the 15 calendar days.
- All student refunds shall be made by the school within 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of the student’s cancellation.
- Students need to complete at least one module every two weeks to stay in the program. Not completing at least one module every two weeks shall constitute constructive notice of cancellation to the school. For purposes of cancellation the date of cancellation shall be the last day of attendance.
380% tuition470% tuition560% tuition650% tuition740% tuition830% tuition920% tuition1010% tuition11 or more0% tuition
Number of Modules completed | Refund amount (% of tuition) |
---|---|
1 | 100% minus the registration fee of $150 |
2 | 90% tuition |
Institutional Disclosures
- The number of students who were admitted to the Dental Assisting Program as of July 1 of this reporting period: 26
- The number of students who were admitted to the Orthodontic Assisting Program as of July 1 of this reporting period: 22
- The number of students who were admitted to the Medical Office Administrative Assisting Program as of July 1 of this reporting period: 1
- The number of students who were admitted to the Billing and Coding Specialist Program as of July 1 of this reporting period: 2
- The number of additional students who were admitted in the Billing and Coding/Dental/Orthodontic/Medical Office Administrative Assisting Programs during the next 12 months and classified in one of the following categories: a) Dental Assisting Program, new starts: 0. Orthodontic Assisting Program, new starts: 0. b) Re-enrollments: 2. c) Transfers into the program from other programs at the school: 1.
- The total number of students admitted in the Dental Assisting Program during the 12-month reporting period: 26. The total number of students admitted in the Orthodontic Assisting Program during the 12-month reporting period: 22. The total number of students admitted in the Medical Office Administrative Assisting Program during the 12-month reporting period: 1. The total number of students admitted in the Billing and Coding Specialist Program during the 12-month reporting period: 2.
- The number of students enrolled in the programs during the 12-month reporting period who: a) Transferred out of the program or course and into another program or course at the school: 1. b) Completed or graduated from the Dental Assisting program: 20. Completed or graduated from the Orthodontic Assisting program: 21. Completed or graduated from the Medical Office Administrative Assisting Program: 1. Completed or graduated from the Billing and Coding Specialist Program: 2. c) Withdrew from school: 6. d) Are still enrolled in the Dental Assisting program: 6. Are still enrolled in the Orthodontic Assisting program: 1. Are still enrolled in the Medical Office Administrative Assisting Program: 0. Are still enrolled in the Billing and Coding Specialist Program: 0.
- The number of students enrolled in the Dental Assisting Program who were: a) Placed in their field of study: 6. b) Placed in a related field: 0. c) Placed out of the field: 6 . d) Not available for placement due to personal reasons: 2. e) Unresponsive or not employed: 8. The number of students enrolled in the Orthodontic Assisting Program who were: a) Placed in their field of study: 5. b) Placed in a related field: 0. c) Placed out of the field: 2. d) Not available for placement due to personal reasons: 10. e) Unresponsive or not employed: 7. The number of students enrolled in the Medical Office Administrative Assisting Program who were: a) Placed in their field of study: 0. b) Placed in a related field: 0. c) Placed out of the field: 0. d) Not available for placement due to personal reasons: 0. e) Unresponsive or not employed: 1. The number of students enrolled in the Billing and Coding Specialist Program who were: a) Placed in their field of study: 0. b) Placed in a related field: 0. c) Placed out of the field: 0. d) Not available for placement due to personal reasons: 1. e) Unresponsive or not employed: 1.
- The number of students who took a State licensing examination or professional certification examination, if any, during the reporting period: 0
- The number of students who took and passed a State licensing examination or professional certification examination, if any, during the reporting period: 0
- The number of graduates who obtained employment in the field who did not use the school’s placement assistance during the reporting period: 11.
- The average starting salary for all school graduates employed during the reporting period: a) Dental Assisting graduates: $22.00/hr. b) Orthodontic Assisting graduates: $20.00/hr. c) Medical Office Administrative Assisting Program: $18.00/hr. d) Billing and Coding Specialist Program: $23.00/hr.
*Illinois Health Careers DBA Illinois Dental Careers was approved to operate by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education with no accreditation with the U.S. Department of Education.