Program Overview
About This Program
The AlliedRx Registered Dental Assistant program prepares students to assist dentists and dental hygienists in the delivery of oral health care. Students develop skills in patient interaction, dental charting, infection control, radiography, chairside assisting, and dental laboratory procedures through a comprehensive 14-week online program.
Upon successful completion, students will be eligible to sit for the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) National Board Examination administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). Dental Assisting is a rapidly growing profession, and this credential opens doors to careers in general dentistry, oral surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and specialty dental practices.
The program includes 3D interactive anatomy simulations, virtual clinical simulations, patient care scenarios, dental radiography training, and comprehensive board exam preparation materials — providing students with the knowledge and confidence to succeed in their dental assisting careers.
What You Will Learn
Learning Objectives
By completing this program, students will demonstrate proficiency in the following core competency areas:
Understand the history of dentistry, dental specialties, career skills required for dental assistants, regulatory framework, dental records, consent, and HIPAA in dental practice.
Identify critical head, neck, and oral anatomy, tooth morphology, dental numbering systems, dental charting, and anatomical landmarks relevant to patient care.
Apply principles of microbiology relevant to oral health, understand disease transmission routes, and demonstrate proper infection control protocols in the dental environment.
Implement surface disinfection procedures, sterilization methods, OSHA standards, instrument cassette management, and personal protective equipment protocols.
Demonstrate patient preparation, vital sign assessment, four-handed dentistry, and emergency response procedures in the dental office setting.
Identify and transfer dental instruments, apply moisture control and isolation techniques, and demonstrate chairside assisting skills for restorative and preventive procedures.
Differentiate restorative materials, cements, bases, liners, and bonding agents; take and remove impressions; fabricate custom trays; and assist with laboratory procedures.
Apply principles of dental radiation safety, perform periapical and bitewing radiographic techniques, and understand digital and conventional radiography systems.
Describe instruments, materials, and assisting techniques for endodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics.
Apply coronal polishing, sealant application, fluoride therapy, topical anesthetic application, and educate patients on preventive oral health care practices.
Weekly Schedule
Course Schedule
This 14-week self-paced online program covers all competencies required for the RDA National Board Examination through two comprehensive courses.
| Week | Topic | Key Learning Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Dental Assisting & Professional Aspects | History of dentistry, nine dental specialties, dental assistant career skills, regulatory framework, HIPAA, dental records and consent |
| Week 2 | Anatomy, Physiology & Dental Anatomy | Head and neck anatomy, oral cavity landmarks, tooth morphology, dental numbering systems, dental charting, radiographic landmarks |
| Week 3 | Microbiology, Infection Control & OSHA | Microbiology principles, disease transmission, standard precautions, disinfection and sterilization, OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards, PPE |
| Week 4 | Patient Care & Dental Pharmacology | Patient preparation, vital signs, four-handed dentistry, dental pharmacology, pain management overview, oral nutrition and health |
| Week 5 | Dental Radiography | Radiation physics and safety, periapical and bitewing techniques, panoramic radiography, digital imaging, radiation protection and documentation |
| Week 6 | HIPAA Fundamentals & Dental Office Management | HIPAA in dental practice, patient record management, appointment scheduling, dental software, insurance billing basics, dental office financial management |
| Week 7 | Medical Emergencies & Review | Recognition and management of medical emergencies in the dental office, emergency equipment, emergency protocols, Course 1 competency review |
| Week | Topic | Key Learning Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Week 8 | Dental Office & Chairside Assisting | Dental office design, daily routines, treatment room preparation, instrument grasps and transfer, moisture control, isolation techniques |
| Week 9 | Restorative & Laboratory Materials | Dental cements, bases, liners, bonding agents, composite and amalgam restorations, cavity preparation principles, dental matrices |
| Week 10 | Impressions & Prosthodontics | Impression materials and techniques, gypsum products, custom tray fabrication, temporary restorations, denture repair, CAD/CAM technology |
| Week 11 | Clinical Procedures & Preventive Care | Local anesthetic preparation, sealant application, coronal polishing, topical anesthetic, fluoride application, patient education |
| Week 12 | Dental Specialties — Endodontics & Oral Surgery | Endodontic procedures and instruments, root canal therapy, oral surgery instruments, extractions, implants, suture removal, post-operative care |
| Week 13 | Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics | Child behavior management, pediatric dental procedures, orthodontic records, bracket placement assistance, band seating, retainers, pediatric abuse recognition and reporting |
| Week 14 | Board Exam Preparation & Final Review | Comprehensive RDA exam review covering both courses, mock board examination, exam strategy, final competency assessment and certification preparation |
Assessment & Grading
Grading Policy
| Assessment Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Module Quizzes & Knowledge Checks | 25% |
| Lab Skills Assignments | 25% |
| Virtual Clinical Simulations | 20% |
| Midterm Examination (Course 1) | 15% |
| Final Board Prep Examination | 15% |