Lesson 1Cotton pliers, gauze, and isolation accessories: handling, sequences for placement and removalFocuses on cotton pliers, gauze, and isolation tools for moisture and soft tissue control. Covers holding, passing, placing and removing steps, and safety to stop choking or tissue harm.
Cotton pliers design and safe holdingGauze uses in basic dental workCotton rolls and dry angles placingIsolation steps for common tasksStopping choking and soft tissue injuryLesson 2Explorers and probes: periodontal probe types and markings (UNC-15, WHO), diagnostic explorers (Shepherd’s hook, EXD) and when to use eachCovers explorers and gum probes, including common designs and marks like UNC-15, WHO, and Shepherd’s hook. Discusses uses, probing method, decay spotting, and germ-control thoughts.
Gum probe marks and calibrationsProbing method and depth recordingDiagnostic explorers and tip designDecay and buildup spotting waysCleaning and storing probesLesson 3Suction and saliva ejectors: high-volume evacuator vs. saliva ejector, positioning, and infection-control handlingExplains design and work of high-volume suckers and saliva ejectors, stressing uses, placing, body fit, and germ-control handling. Highlights patient ease, moisture control, and spray reduction.
High-volume sucker design and partsSaliva ejector types and usesWorker and helper placingMoisture control and patient easeGerm-control for suction linesLesson 4Polishing instruments and prophy paste selection: rubber cup technique, abrasive levels, rubber cup speed and stroke techniqueDetails polishing tools, rubber cups, and cleaning paste choice. Reviews grit levels, stain uses, and rubber cup speed and stroke to cut enamel loss, heat, and soft tissue harm in crown polishing.
Rubber cup types and attaching waysCleaning paste grit and usesRubber cup speed and torque controlStroke patterns and tooth surface accessAvoiding enamel and soft tissue harmLesson 5Basic rotary handpieces and attachments: slow-speed contra-angle uses for polishing, prophylaxis angle components and rpm guidanceIntroduces basic spinning handpieces and attachments, stressing slow-speed contra-angle use for polishing. Reviews cleaning angle parts, rpm guide, upkeep basics, and safety near soft tissues.
Slow-speed handpiece parts and workContra-angle attachment usesCleaning angle types and putting togetherSuggested rpm for polishingUpkeep, oiling, and sterilizingLesson 6Hand mirror types and uses: mouth mirror design, indirect vision, retraction, transillumination and fog controlReviews mouth mirror types, sizes, and designs, including front-surface ones. Stresses indirect sight, pulling, light passing, and fog control ways to better see, body fit, and patient ease.
Mirror head designs and coatingsIndirect sight in back areasCheek, lip, and tongue pullingLight passing for decay spottingFog control and mirror upkeepLesson 7Instrument identification by number/shape: common design features (shank bend, toe vs. tip) and implications for accessExplains how tool number and shape link to work and access. Reviews shank bends, working end design, toe vs. tip, and handle features for right spotting, choice, and body-fit use.
Numbering systems and maker codesShank bends and tooth surface accessToe vs. tip and cutting edge designHandle size, feel, and balanceReading marks on tool handlesLesson 8Basic scalers and curettes: universal vs. area-specific curettes, sickle scalers, adaptations, and selection criteria for supragingival and subgingival debridementTells apart basic scalers and curettes, including all-area and spot-specific designs. Reviews sickle scalers, fitting, angle, and choice rules for safe above-gum and below-gum cleaning.
All-area vs. spot-specific curettesSickle scaler design and usesWorking end fitting and angleStroke types for above and below gumSharpening basics and edge keepingLesson 9Local infection-control adjuncts/tools: single-use disposables, instrument cassettes, barriers, and sharps container practicesCovers germ-control extras that aid safe tool use, including one-time disposables, cassettes, barriers, and sharps bins. Stresses choice, setup, handling, and throwing away to cut cross-germ risk.
Types of one-time disposable itemsTool cassettes and tray setupsSurface barriers and change rulesSharps bin choice and placingSharps handling, moving, and throwingLesson 10Basic radiography accessories used at an initial exam: film/sensor holders, beam alignment devices, and radiation-safety basics (ALARA principles)Describes basic x-ray extras used at first check, including film and sensor holders and beam straighteners. Stresses ALARA rules, placing accuracy, and patient and worker radiation safety.
Film and sensor holder partsBeam straightener typesPlacing for front and side viewsALARA rules in dental x-raysPatient shielding and worker distance rules
