DentalAssistEd’s Coronal Scaling course features 32 hours of instruction in both didactic and clinical manikin. An online portion will be administered and completed prior to the 3 day in-person clinic.

Areas of study include: patient and clinician positioning, instrument grasp, mirror and finger rests, instrument design and classification, adaptation and angulations, activation, pivot and hand roll, instrument strokes, explorers, sickle scalers, universal curettes, area-specific curettes, dental anatomy, public health dentistry, medical history, dental emergencies, and managing the pediatric patient. To demonstrate competency, a skill assessment will be completed for each section.

Prerequisites:

Be at least 18 years of age, provide proof of taking a valid coronal polishing course, hold a current CPR card

AND

(a) Complete 2,000 hours of clinical dental assisting experience

OR

(b) Complete a CODA-accredited dental assisting program

OR

(c) Hold a current national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Certification

Dental assistants can only coronal scale supragingivally on children younger than 17 who 1) do not have periodontal disease, 2) are not in ill health or have special needs, and 3) have a household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (see chart below).

The dental assistant is limited to the use of hand instruments.

After completion of the course, the supervising dentist must observe and approve six full-mouth supragingival scaling procedures.