Clinical Orthodontic Procedures A Theory and Clinical Course for RDA's and RDH's Course Information Prepared by ORTHODONTIC MODULE STEERING COMMITTEE DIVISION OF CONTINUING DENTAL EDUCATION FACULTY OF MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA Phone: (780) 492-1894 Fax: (780) 492 8973 Email: dentce@ualberta.ca
This booklet serves as an outline of the Orthodontic Module utilized in Alberta. ORTHODONTIC MODULE The Orthodontic Module is designed to provide the participant with knowledge and information required to reach a satisfactory level of competency in clinical orthodontics. Emphasis is placed on clinical procedures, obtaining diagnostic records and patient care procedures. What are the objectives of the Orthodontic Module? Participants in this course will be able to accomplish the following: a) Demonstrate understanding of orthodontic principles and classifications b) Discuss mechanisms of treatment for orthodontic/orthopedic/surgical movements c) Demonstrate skills in obtaining diagnostic records d) Demonstrate clinical orthodontic skills e) Discuss patient education and motivation techniques f) Demonstrate effective infection control procedures Who developed the Orthodontic Module? This course has been the vision of many individuals and professional associations for many years. It has finally come together under the financial and supportive assistance of the Alberta Dental Association & College, the College of Alberta Dental Assistants, the College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta and the Alberta Society of Orthodontists. This is a made in Alberta theory and clinical course and continues to be guided under a steering committee with representation from the four professional groups mentioned above. The established criteria for participation in this course have been determined by this committee. Who administers the Orthodontic Module? At this time, the Division of Continuing Dental education, at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, is carrying out the mandate of the steering committee in administering and delivering the components of the Orthodontic Module. Who is the Orthodontic Module designed for? This course is designed for any Registered Dental Assistant (radiography, dental dam, impressions, rubber cup polishing, fluoride application, pit and fissure sealants, desensitizing agents, topical anaesthetic, matrices and wedges, bases and liners, suture removal, dental probing, and temporary coverage and restorations), or Registered Dental Hygienists. All participants must also have a current CPR certificate, Level C or Healthcare Provider. Applications for the course must include photocopies of appropriate documentation to verify eligibility. Revised: August 2012 Page 2
What is the educational process? Orthodontic Module Completion of the Orthodontic Module and subsequent registration with the College of Alberta Dental Assistants or the College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta requires successful completion of two components. This course contains both a theory component and a clinical component. The theoretical component must be successfully completed, prior to registration in the clinical component. The Theory Component Applications for the theory component will be processed three/four times a year. Limits on the number participating exist, dependent on the availability of future clinical courses. The component is a 3 month self-study course and a manual will be provided to participants. Students should be prepared to spend at least 10-12 hours per week on studies. Upon successful completion of the theory component participants will receive a certificate of completion and an application form for the clinical component. Applications: - Available through the Division of Continuing Dental Education website: http://www.dentistry.ualberta.ca/cde - Cost of the theory component is $200. - Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis - Applications must be accompanied by the fee and by photocopies of appropriate documentation to verify eligibility. Cancellation/Extensions: - Cancellations are not permitted after registration and material mailout. Candidates unable to meet time requirements may apply for up to 2 three month extensions. There is a fee of $50 per extension for this option. - A request form for extension must be accompanied by the required fee and be received at least 2 weeks prior to the original completion date of the theory component. Pre-Requisites - Radiography, dental dam, impressions, rubber cup polishing, fluoride application, pit and fissure sealants, desensitizing agents, topical anaesthetic, matrices and wedges, bases and liners, suture removal, dental probing, and temporary coverage and restorations - Current CPR certificate Level C, or Healthcare Provider Examination: - The applicant must complete the theory examination within the 3 months prior to the set date of examination as per the registration form. - To successfully pass the examination, a score of 80% or better is required. - Successful candidates are eligible to register for the clinical component. - Examinations can be written at the University of Alberta at specified dates and times or at any locale under the supervision of an invigilator. Revised: August 2012 Page 3
- The exam by invigilator can be requested at anytime during the twelve week course by utilizing the examination request form and payment of the applicable administration fee. Please mail request with sufficient time (3 weeks from required date) for processing and mailing. - The examination will be a combination of 200 multiple choice, true and false, and matching questions - The time allotted for the examination will be 2 hours - The answers will be recorded on a computer marking form and test scores will be tabulated by computer services Examination Supervision/Invigilation: - Each theory session will have a single sitting of the examination, available at a specified date, time and site as indicated on the exam request form. - If that date and location is not suitable, then an acceptable invigilator may be selected to oversee the examination. A $50 administration fee is applicable for this option. - Invigilators will be required to sign a form indicating their willingness to oversee the examination and to adhere to the rules regarding examinations - Acceptable invigilators must be established members of the community such as members of the clergy, librarians, school principals or vice-principals or college instructors, professionals - Relatives, friends, neighbors, employers, co-workers or persons residing at the same residence cannot invigilate exams - The student must check with the prospective invigilator to determine willingness to invigilate and must choose a mutually acceptable date, time, and place for exam writing - No remuneration is provided to the exam invigilator for this service - The invigilator is responsible for physically observing the student for the duration of the exam, ensuring that the lighting, noise level, etc., will not distract or hinder the student's concentration and that the regulations governing the writing of exams are maintained. The invigilator must be in attendance during the entire exam. - The Division of Continuing Dental Education reserves the right to reject prospective invigilators. Rules Governing Invigilated Exams: - Question papers for each exam are sent to invigilators in a sealed package and opened only at the start of the exam - Every effort will be made to ensure delivery of exam materials prior to the selected date. Please send requests with sufficient time for us to process and return (atleast 3-4 weeks prior to the required examination date). - The exam shall be written without the aid of textbooks, notes or verbal assistance - Answer papers and question sheets must be handed to the invigilator at the expiration of the allotted time, whether or not the paper has been completed - The examination papers are not to be copied in any way - The invigilator shall sign that the examination has been conducted in accordance with the examination rules Revised: August 2012 Page 4
- Immediately upon completion, the invigilator will seal the question and answer sheets in the return envelope, sign across the seal, and mail the envelope. It is not returned to the candidate. - During the examination, the invigilator shall remain constantly in the room where the candidate is writing and take every precaution to ensure that the examination rules are followed Supplemental Re-write Examinations: - One re-write examination is allowed for candidates who score less than 80% on the first sitting (fee established by the Division of Continuing Dental Education) - There is no refund, even if the exam is not written - This re-write must occur within three months of the original theory component exam sitting - The higher grade between the original examination mark and the supplemental examination mark will be used to determine the final grade achieved in the theory component - A score less than 80% on the re-write necessitates re-applying for the full theory component after a six month waiting period. - The supplemental exam fee is established by Continuing Dental Education and is currently $100. Appeals: - Appeals may be made on the assignment of examination grades by submitting a letter of appeal to the Chair of the Orthodontic Module Steering Committee, care of the Division of Continuing Dental Education, within one month of receiving the grade - The Chair shall present the candidate's letter of appeal to the Committee for consideration and decision - The decision of the Committee will be final and a written declaration of that decision will be sent to the candidate Completion of the theory component: - Upon attaining a mark of 80% or higher on the examination, a certificate of completion of the theory component will be issued to the participant - Each certificate will be accompanied by an application form for the clinical component, which must be completed within one year from the completion date of the theory component The Clinical Component Clinical instruction and evaluation are provided in a clinical course (approximately 24 hours) by Registered Dental Assistants and Registered Dental Hygienists who have completed the Orthodontic Module and an instructor s in-service. Practicing orthodontists and grad students supervise clinical procedures and offer instruction. Dates for these courses vary throughout the year. Enrollment will be limited to 16-18 participants per course and a minimum number of participants will be required in any Revised: August 2012 Page 5
given course to make it feasible to deliver. The instructor/student ratio is 1:4. Upon successful completion of the clinical component, participants will receive a certificate of completion. The cost of the clinical component is $850. Clinical skills to be included in the clinical course are: - Taking intra-oral photographs - Registration of centric occlusion wax bite and orthodontic quality impressions - Bitefork and facebow registration - Patient placement for exposure of extra-oral radiographs (cephalometric, hand/wrist) - Placement and removal of separators - Placement and removal of oral isolation devices in preparation for direct bonding procedures - Manipulation and application of materials for bonding and banding procedures - Removal of banding cement and bonding adhesive utilizing hand instruments - Preparation of the teeth for banding and bonding procedures - Preliminary placement of fixed and removable appliances prior to adjustment by a dentist - Preliminary fitting of bands - Bonding of non critical attachments under the direction of a dentist, to be checked by the dentist prior to patient dismissal - Indirect bonding under the direction of the dentist, to be checked by the dentist prior to patient dismissal - Cementation of bands and appliances under the direction of a dentist, final check to be done by the dentist - Bonding lingual retainers under the direction of a dentist, final check to be done by the dentist - Checking integrity of bands, bonds, attachments, etc. - Placement and removal of archwires which have been prescribed by a dentist - Placement and removal of archwire accessories and ligatures - Removal of bands and bonded metal attachments, utilizing hand instruments - Provide patient instruction regarding o the care and use of orthodontic appliances o oral hygiene and disease control o elastic placement o proper eating habits and patient cooperation o orthodontic emergencies Clinical Instruction/Evaluation Course 3 Days approximately 24 hours Pre-requisites: - Completion of the theory component - Current CPR certificate, Level C or Healthcare Provider - Currently registered RDA or RDH Revised: August 2012 Page 6
Applications: - Available from the Division of Continuing Dental Education website upon successful completion of the theory component - Cost of the clinical component is $885.00 - Accepted on a first come, first-served basis - Applicants required to complete the clinical component within one year of successfully completing the theory component - Withdrawal is permitted up to 4 weeks prior to the clinical date for an administration fee of $200. Program: - Attendance is required at a 3 day clinical instruction/evaluation course - Instruction will be provided and evaluations of clinical skills will be completed during the 3 day clinical course Evaluation/Re-evaluation: - All clinical exercises must be completed to a satisfactory level to pass the clinical component - Candidates not achieving required levels, of competence, may be referred to refresher courses and will be required to re-register for the clinical evaluation course after a six month waiting period Appeals: - Candidates may appeal results of the examination. Standard faculty policies apply. What is the result? Candidates successful in both the theory and clinical components can submit copies of their certificates of completion to their respective associations for registration of the Orthodontic Module. Clinical Orthodontic Steps 1. Register for Theory Component Pre-Requisites - Radiography, dental dam, impressions, rubber cup polishing, fluoride application, pit and fissure sealants, desensitizing agents, topical anaesthetic, matrices and wedges, bases and liners, suture removal, dental probing, and temporary coverage and restorations - Current CPR certificate, Level C or Healthcare Provider - Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis for examinations to be held three/four times a year. Revised: August 2012 Page 7
- Completion of course and examination 3 months from start date. 2. Certificate of Completion of Theory Component 3. Register for Clinical Course (approx 24 hours) - Once successfully completed theory portion can register for clinical portion - Complete clinical component within one year from completion of theory component 4. Certificate of Completion of Clinical Component 5. Registration of Orthodontic Module with CADA or CRDHA or your provincial association if outside Alberta Revised: August 2012 Page 8