Coronal Polishing/Rubber Cup Prophy and Topical Fluoride Applications for the GA Dental Assistant
The purpose of this 8-hour course is to educate dental assistants in Georgia to perform a “Rubber Cup Prophy” (Coronal Polishing procedure) on patients with primary dentition pursuant to the requirements established
by O.C.G.A. § 43-11-74, Georgia Board of Dentistry (the “Board”) Rule 150-9-.01 which states; “Dental assistants may use rubber cup prophy on a patient with primary dentition under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist in accordance with any guidelines or rules established by the board. Dental assistants shall meet any education, training, or other requirements as established by the board".
A dental assistant with at least one year of prior chairside experience or a graduate of an approved dental assisting program is eligible to attend an 8-hour pre-approved course of study that includes didactic and clinical applications necessary for coronal polishing (“rubber cup prophy”) and shall include:
• Ethics and Georgia jurisprudence related to coronal polishing
• Identify the potential risks, indications, and contraindications for coronal polishing
• Understand the definition of plaque, types of stain, calculus, and related terminology • Dental anatomy and morphology for the proper identification of adult and child dentition
• Principles of coronal polishing including, but not limited to:
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Armamentarium;
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Proper positioning used/ergonomics;
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Preferred polishing technique using a stable fulcrum;
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Abrasive polishing agents commonly used in coronal polishing;
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Polishing coronal surfaces of teeth on a typodont using a slow speed handpiece
• Indications for professionally applied topical fluoride agents for caries prevention
• Fluoride Delivery Methods
To be eligible to attend the GDHA Coronal Polishing Course the dental assistant must meet one of the following criteria:
1) Be a graduate of a one (1) year accredited dental assisting program or a dental assisting program approved by the Board, or
2) Have been employed as a chair side assistant by a licensed dentist for a continuous twelve (12) month period within the previous three (3) years.
3) In Addition, the candidate must have a high school diploma, or the equivalent thereof and proof of current CPR certification.
Part 1: Morning Didactic Instruction:
Students will receive didactic instruction on:
• Coronal polishing rationale
• Stains and deposits
• Methods, equipment (armamentarium) and materials for coronal polishing and fluoride delivery
• Infection control
Part 2: Afternoon Clinical Instruction
Begin clinical instruction to allow for the development of coronal polishing skills and fluoride delivery:
Laboratory and clinical activity will include:
– use of a slow speed handpiece
– armamentarium
– operator and patient positioning
– polishing technique
– polishing agents
– polishing the coronal surfaces of teeth on a typodont
Attendees will receive a course handout, a certificate of completion and will be provided the following resource links for informational purposes:
Georgia Board of Dentistry website
Georgia Board of Dentistry Rules & Regulations
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