Do these platforms offer courses for dental assistants and hygienists

I’m looking for online platforms, like Coursera, edX, Udemy, even Skillshare, that offer actual courses for dental assistants and dental hygienists. Not just, you know, general “healthcare” type courses, but things that would specifically help with certification, continuing education units (CEUs), or even just practical skills on the job. I’m especially interested if any of them have courses that are accredited or recognized by relevant dental associations or boards. I’m a dental assistant looking to advance my skills and potentially even bridge into hygiene in the future, so any platform with a good range of options would be great. Anyone know which platforms I should check out? Are there any that are better suited for dental professionals than others? Also, are there any free or low-cost options available?

Answer

Yes, several online learning platforms offer courses for dental assistants and dental hygienists, ranging from introductory level to advanced continuing education. The availability and specifics of these courses vary by platform. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Platforms Offering Courses:

• Coursera: Coursera partners with universities and institutions to offer courses, Specializations, and even degrees. While full-fledged dental assistant or hygiene programs might be rare, you can often find related courses in areas such as:

  • Oral Health: General courses on oral hygiene, dental diseases, and preventative care that can be beneficial for foundational knowledge.
  • Anatomy and Physiology: Relevant courses for understanding the structures of the head, neck, and oral cavity.
  • Infection Control: Essential for understanding and implementing proper sterilization and disinfection protocols in a dental setting.
  • Medical Terminology: Important for dental assistants to understand the language used in dentistry and healthcare.
  • Healthcare Management: More advanced courses covering aspects of running a dental practice.

• edX: Similar to Coursera, edX hosts courses from universities worldwide. Again, you might not find a complete dental assisting or hygiene program, but relevant subjects often available include:

  • Biology: Covering basic biological concepts relevant to oral health.
  • Chemistry: Understanding the chemical processes in the mouth and the composition of dental materials.
  • Public Health: Provides a broader perspective on oral health promotion and disease prevention.

• Udemy: Udemy is an open online course marketplace. You can often find more practical and targeted courses on Udemy specifically for dental assistants, such as:

  • Dental Assisting Basics: Introductory courses covering chairside assisting, sterilization, instrument identification, and dental terminology.
  • Radiology for Dental Assistants: Courses on taking dental X-rays, understanding radiographic anatomy, and radiation safety.
  • Dental Practice Management Software: Training on using specific software programs for appointment scheduling, billing, and patient records.
  • Infection Control: Courses focusing on the latest guidelines and best practices for infection control in a dental office.

• LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com): LinkedIn Learning provides courses in a variety of professional skills. Relevant courses for dental professionals and assistants could include:

  • Customer Service: Improving patient communication and satisfaction.
  • Communication Skills: Effective interaction with patients and dental team members.
  • Office Administration: Managing administrative tasks in a dental practice.
  • Specific Software Tutorials: Training on using dental practice management software.

• Dental-Specific Continuing Education Platforms: Many professional dental associations and organizations offer online continuing education courses specifically for dental assistants and hygienists. These are often the best source for advanced, specialized training and for fulfilling continuing education requirements for licensure. Examples include:

  • ADAA (American Dental Assistants Association): The ADAA offers various continuing education courses for dental assistants, often covering topics like infection control, radiology, and expanded functions.
  • ADHA (American Dental Hygienists’ Association): The ADHA offers a wide range of CE courses for dental hygienists, including topics like periodontology, dental hygiene therapy, and public health.
  • State Dental Associations: Many state dental associations offer online CE courses relevant to the specific regulations and requirements of that state.
  • Private CE Providers: Numerous private companies offer online CE courses for dental professionals, focusing on specific areas like implant dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and laser dentistry.

Course Content Examples (varies by platform and specific course):

• For Dental Assistants:

  • Introduction to Dental Assisting: Covering the roles and responsibilities of a dental assistant, ethical considerations, and legal aspects of dentistry.
  • Chairside Assisting: Techniques for assisting the dentist during various dental procedures, including four-handed dentistry.
  • Dental Instruments and Equipment: Identification, use, and maintenance of dental instruments and equipment.
  • Infection Control and Sterilization: Protocols for preventing the spread of infection in the dental office, including sterilization techniques, disinfection procedures, and waste management.
  • Dental Radiography: Taking and processing dental X-rays, understanding radiation safety, and interpreting radiographs.
  • Dental Materials: Properties and uses of various dental materials, such as composites, amalgams, and impression materials.
  • Dental Terminology: Learning the language of dentistry.
  • Patient Communication and Education: Effective communication techniques for interacting with patients and providing oral hygiene instructions.
  • Dental Practice Management: Basic office procedures, appointment scheduling, billing, and insurance processing.
• For Dental Hygienists:
  • Periodontology: The study of the supporting structures of the teeth and the treatment of periodontal disease.
  • Dental Hygiene Therapy: Advanced clinical techniques for scaling and root planing, periodontal maintenance, and non-surgical periodontal therapy.
  • Oral Pathology: Identifying and understanding oral diseases and conditions.
  • Pharmacology: Understanding the effects of medications on oral health.
  • Dental Materials Science: Advanced knowledge of the properties and applications of dental materials.
  • Community Dental Health: Public health principles related to oral health promotion and disease prevention.
  • Pain Management: Techniques for managing patient discomfort during dental hygiene procedures.
  • Local Anesthesia: Administering local anesthetics (where permitted by state regulations).
  • Radiology: Advanced radiographic techniques and interpretation.
  • Laser Dentistry: Using lasers in dental hygiene procedures (where permitted).
  • Special Needs Dentistry: Treating patients with disabilities or medical conditions.

Important Considerations:

• Accreditation and Recognition: Carefully check the accreditation or recognition of the course or program, especially if you need it to meet specific licensing or certification requirements. Not all online courses are accepted by licensing boards or employers.
• Hands-On Experience: Online courses can provide valuable knowledge and theoretical understanding, but they typically don’t provide the hands-on clinical experience needed for dental assisting or hygiene. Look for programs that combine online learning with clinical rotations or externships.
• State Regulations: Dental assisting and hygiene regulations vary by state. Ensure that any online course or program you take meets the specific requirements of the state where you plan to work.
• Continuing Education (CE) Credits: For licensed dental hygienists and certified dental assistants, CE credits are required to maintain their licenses/certifications. Verify that the online courses offer accepted CE credits by the appropriate governing body (e.g., state dental board, ADAA, ADHA).
• Cost: Online courses vary widely in price, from free to several thousand dollars. Compare costs and consider your budget.

In summary, while complete dental assistant or hygiene programs are less common on platforms like Coursera and edX, they do offer courses in related subjects. Udemy and LinkedIn Learning often have more practical courses for dental assistants. Dental-specific CE platforms are the best source for advanced training and fulfilling continuing education requirements. Always verify the accreditation and recognition of the course and ensure it meets your specific needs and state regulations.