All students in the dental assisting program must be able to perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking ability for clinical judgment

Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations; evaluate patient for comfort and potential emergency situations; evaluate the procedures for necessary armamentrium.

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.

Establish rapport with patients, colleagues, faculty, and other health care providers. Use therapeutic communication (attending, clarifying, coaching)

Communication Ability

Communication abilities sufficient for effective interaction with others in spoken and written English.

Explain treatment procedures; initiate teaching; document and interpret patient data; listen attentively.

Physical Endurance

Remain continuously on task for several hours while sitting, standing, or moving.

Manually resuscitate patients in emergency situations or sit for extensive periods of time.

Mobility

Physical abilities sufficient to move from clinic area to clinic area and maneuver in small spaces; full range of motion; manual and finger dexterity, and hand-eye coordination.

Move around in an operatory, work spaces and laboratory areas.

Motor Skills

Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective patient care and operate equipment.

Use various types of equipment; assist and position patients or lift and operate equipment with necessary strength and dexterity.

Hearing Ability

Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.

Hear patients concerns, emergency signals.

Visual Ability

Normal or corrected visual ability sufficient for observation of oral conditions, patient observation and assessment; ability to discriminate between changes in physical conditions and density in radiographs; see in darkroom conditions.

Observe physical conditions; observe patient/responses. Read chart, computer screen, dials, labels, and gauges.

Tactile Ability

Tactile ability sufficient for the handling of small instruments with sufficient control.

Perform instrument transfer, sealant placement and coronal polishing.

Olfactory Ability

Olfactory senses (smell) sufficient for maintaining environment and patient safety; diagnostic tool for oral diseases.

Distinguish smells which are contributory to assessing and/or maintaining the patient's health status or environmental safety (fire); distinguishing the smell of oral disease from health.

Professional Attitude and Demeanor

Ability to present professional appearance and implement measures to maintain own physical and mental health and emotional stability. Ability to demonstrate emotional health required for the utilization of intellectual abilities and exercise good judgment.

Work under time restraints and stressful conditions. Be exposed to communicable diseases and contaminated body fluids. React calmly in emergency situations. Demonstrate flexibility and teamwork. Show concern for others.