Dental Terminology

NORTHCENTRAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE
WAUSAU, WISCONSIN
STUDENT STUDY GUIDE
FOR
DENTAL TERMINOLOGY AND CHARTING
508-101
UNIT 00.00
ORIENTATION TO
DENTAL TERMINOLOGY AND CHARTING
Copyright 1996 All Rights Reserved COURSE OUTLINE

I. Prefixes and Suffixes

II. Dental Terminology

• Chapter 1 - Structure of the Oral Cavity
• Chapter 2 - The Dentition
• Chapter 3 - The Types of Teeth
• Chapter 4 - Cavity Classification

III. Pronunciation and Spelling of Basic Dental Terminology

IV. Dental Charting

• Chapter 1 - Charting Symbols
• Chapter 2 - Recording Services Rendered

V. Pronunciation and Spelling of Dental Charting Terminology

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Dental Terminology and Charting is a self-paced course designed to be completed at home using a text and Student Study Guides. By completing course materials in the prescribed manner, you will become knowledgeable of commonly used prefixes, suffixes, and dental terminology, including spelling and pronunciation of the terms. You will also learn common charting symbols and abbreviations, and be able to use them to record and transcribe dental services.

This course will be helpful to any person who has never had formal training as a dental receptionist or assistant, especially if you are seeking your first job in the dental field. Because you can learn at your own speed and complete all the assignments at home, it will be especially helpful to adults who are working or who live too far away to commute to the NTC campus.

This Student Study Guide will take you through this course in a step-by-step fashion. As you complete your assignments, mail them to your instructor for feedback. You need to achieve 90 percent or above for each test to receive credit for the course. If you do not, you will be able to retake it after you have studied the material again.

The grading scale is as follows:

98 - 100 = A
95 - 97 = A-
92 - 94 = B+
90 - 91 = B
Below 90 = F

You must complete this course within the semester you register. If you feel you cannot complete during that semester, you should wait to reenroll for the following semester.

Texts:

• 1. Fundamentals I, Introduction to Dental Terminology Charting and Procedures, 2nd ed., prepared by Ann Ehrlich, M.A., Colwell Systems, Inc., 1993
• 2. Student Study Guide, Units 1 - 5, November 1994, Author: Jean Rhyner, C.D.A., A.A.S.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO KNOW OR BE ABLE TO DO WHEN YOU FINISH THIS COURSE?

1. Recognize the meaning of prefixes and suffixes.
2. Identify the meaning of basic dental terminology.
3. Correctly pronounce and spell basic dental terminology.
4. Accurately record and transcribe dental services rendered, using appropriate symbols and abbreviations.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO KNOW OR BE ABLE TO DO THIS?

By taking this course you will learn dental terminology and charting faster and more clearly than relying on "picking it up" through months or years of work experience. This will make your job easier and you will become a greater asset to the dental office team.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW TO COMPLETE THIS COURSE?

1. You have received a text and Student Study Guides for Units 1 - 5. Complete the Student Study Guides in order; they tell you what to read and do to complete each unit. Course material builds upon previously learned concepts so do not move on until you have completed everything and passed the test for the unit.
2. Purchase a 3-ring binder to keep course materials organized.
3. You will need access to an audiocassette tape recorder to complete certain assignments.
4. Mail your completed assignments to:

   Jean Rhyner, CDA
   1810 Roosevelt Street
   Wausau, WI 54403

5. If you have difficulty with some of the material, your instructor will be available by phone at (715) 675-3331, extension 4493, where you can leave a message with the Dental Hygiene secretary.