Crossing the Halfway Point

Saturday December 17th

Today was FRIENDS AND FAMILY DAY!!! It was so fun to meet the friends and family members of all the students in the class, and be able to practice our skills on someone other than a dental assistant student. It showed me that I have a lot to work on and will need lots of practice before I am comfortable working in a dental office. I think we are all a little nervous for the externships, but they will probably be a great experience that will show us what we need to practice on. We had a holiday party and can't wait to come back to class on December 27th! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Thursday December 15th

Tonight we took impressions so that each of us will be able to make our own bleach trays. Taking impressions for bleach trays is a little different because when you pour the models the base is much smaller and almost non-existant. Also, when you trim the models for bleach trays, the models are trimmed down to almost nothing before they are put in the machine that forms the bleach trays.


Saturday December 10th

I definitely need to practice taking impressions, pouring models, and trimming models. In addition to practicing impressions, we did re-takes of the x-rays on eachother so we could each grade our FMX. I had to re-take 3 of mine. I was also able to practice sealants one more time.


Saturday December 3rd

As we returned to class after a great Thanskgiving break, we had our mid-term exam! We had a written exam and a practical exam in which we identified instruments used in the dental office. We are a little more comfortable with what we have learned, but it will take time and practice for us to really master those skills.

Learning x-rays

Saturday November 19th, 2011

Today we continued x-rays. We did an FMX (full mouth series) on our partners. The anterior and posterior teeth were much more difficult to x-ray than the bite wing x-rays. I definitely do not feel comfortable using the x-rays because it is very difficult to place in the patient's mouth. After developing the x-rays, most of us found that we are going to have to re-do our x-rays. We are allowed to perform to FMX each before we are exposed to too much radiation in such a short time. Next week we do not have class, but HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Stephani

8 posts by current student blogger

Saturday October 22nd, 2011

Today was our first day of class and it was so fun to meet all of the teachers and all the students!!! All of us women are going to have so much fun getting to know each other and learning how to be amazing dental assistants! It was very exciting to finally find out exactly what the next 12 weeks are going to be like!!! Today we went over the basics of the mouth: the different surfaces of teeth, the numbering of teeth, and an introduction to charting. This will definitely be the foundation for the next 12 weeks and I can’t wait to learn more!

Thursday October 27^th, 2011

Tonight was our first Thursday night class, and I am so excited for labs each week!!! We were able to use a mouth mirror and observe the teeth of our partner! Then the 3^rd member of our group recorded all of the information on the patient’s chart. It was so fun to act out the roles of the dentist, the dental assistant, and the patient. We didn't really know what we were doing but we will learn in time as we get more comfortable.

Saturday October 29^th, 2011

We got to practice a child prophy on our partner! I did not realize how nervous I would be to sit in the dentist’s chair and use all of the instruments for a cleaning! I think I speak for everyone when I say that brushing another person’s teeth is much more difficult than brushing your own! I am not sure what the proper technique for a child prophy is but we are seeing what is comfortable. We also got to experience the important role of cleaning for dental assistants….no wonder dental offices are always so clean! Dental offices are lucky to have us to make sure that everything is super shiny and looks nice for all the patients! I definitely am going to need to practice brushing on some of my friends and family!

Thursday November 3^rd, 2011

We are learning about the human body and OSHA standards in a dental office. I can’t wait to apply this knowledge on the job. When I was younger I used to have to get impressions at the dentist and the orthodontist…and I hated it!! Little did I know I would let other people give me more impressions as an adult just for practice! Even though it is very fun to pour the alginate into the tray and take the impression of a patient’s mouth, it sure does not taste very good for the patient! It was so fun to look at our impressions and be able to identify all of our teeth and even some of our amalgams and composites. The best part was being able to take our impressions home and put them in the refrigerator. I can’t wait to bring them back on Saturday when we will actually get to pour our impressions!

Saturday November 5^th, 2011

After we took our test (the 2^nd one we have taken so far) and went over all of our homework (the 2^nd group of homework assignments that we have had so far), it was time to start the lab! I learned how to pour impressions and it is much more difficult than I thought it would be! I definitely made too much of my impression, so when we mold them next Thursday I will definitely have a lot to shave off! Then after we cleaned up our mess, we were able to practice a child prophy again. I felt a little better the 2^nd time. The flossing part is still the hardest, I am not sure what form we should use, but we will probably get more comfortable over time. The diclosing tablet still shows lots of pink, but practice makes perfect!!!

Thursday November 10^th, 2011

I was finally able to complete my impressions! I trimmed the models, and it was much more difficult than I ever thought it would be. So, I think I can speak for everyone when I say that I am very happy that we are not being graded on our first impression model. I was a little frustrated that my model did not turn out exactly like it should have, but that is motivating me to practice impressions more during lab time. Since it is too dangerous to practice on each other, and we are all probably too old to put sealants on our teeth, we practiced on models. It is really fun to do sealants, but I am not sure exactly what that is going to look like on a real patient and if dental assistants can even perform sealants. Friends and Family Day is next month so that means we should all practice those new skills during lab time so that we can be our best when we bring in our friends and family members as our very first patients!

Saturday November 12^th, 2011

We talked a little bit about x-rays and we are starting to learn our strengths and weaknesses in the lab. Personally, my weakness is impressions, so that is something that I will have to practice more. Today we introduced the set-up of rubber dams and passing instruments, two things that I personally found very challenging! I have no idea what this will actually look like on a patient, but tried to put the rubber dam together on its own once. But I know that with practice all of these skills will become second nature. I can’t wait to learn about x-rays next week!

Thursday November 17^th, 2011

Tonight we each got to take 4 x-rays of our partner and develop the film! When I was in high school I took a photography class and the developing process in the dark room reminded me so much of my photography class! Except with the automatic processing machine it was much easier and faster to develop our “pictures” than the manual process that I used in high school for my pictures. It was really fun to mount our x-rays and look at them afterwards. I can’t wait to finish the full-mouth series on Saturday!

We are off to a great start with 4 new sessions starting in Broomfield, Denver and Grand Junction. Our new students are eager to learn and get prepared for their new careers in dental assisting. Dental assisting is still a top-rated career for job openings according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, with a 36% expected job growth rate through 2018, which is said to be "excellent."

According to Amady, Admissions Director and Career Counselor, graduates actively looking for dental assistant openings are having no trouble getting hired. Good news!

Monday, August 15, 2011

We're briskly approaching week three, it's amazing how much information we've already learned in such a short time. So far we've learned: how to chart, dental terms, how to prophy and adequately take impressions. It sounds like a lot of work but that's because it is. Luckily the instructors and classmates make it quite enjoyable, more like a social gathering where you learn things other than a school that slowly ticks by. I'm almost shocked at how much I look forward to class each week, it feels like all of the classmates and professors have bonded and that makes the classes a lot of fun.

I'm already looking forward to Friends and Family week to show off my new skills.

Cash

Almost the End of the Road...

I cant believe that its almost that time-
We are all getting our externships ready, finishing up or last hand full of classes, and getting ready for friends and family day! I know I haven't written a blog for a few weeks, but between studying for the mid term, now studying for what I think will be on finals, doing homework, work, school, and answering questions about teeth to my friends and family- I just haven't had the time. :)

Here is a summary of what we've learned in the last couple of weeks.
Amalgams, composits, sealants, instrument passing, instrument names, syringe assembly, syringe passing, topical anesthitic use/feeling(to see how fast it works), needle lengths, one handed scoops, how to apply topical anesthitic for a maxillary infutration shot or mandibular (behind the retromolar pad) block, prelimenary impresssions, final impressions, gingival retraction cord use, how to mix jet material, how to make temporary acrylic crowns, and how to file and polish the temporary crowns.

So, that my friends is why I've been so busy and haven't been able to write a new entry and tell you more about our journey. I will be adding pictures after the holiday.

Cant wait to get back! I am soo excited to learn more!
See you all soon!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!

Xrays, Bleach Trays, Snaper Ray...Rim?

(top)Patricia pouring up a bleach tray (below) Gissel trimming her model

It looks like we are coming up to Mid Terms this Sunday...well, thats okay I feel very confident in my education I've recieved.

This last week we did xrays, we learned how to put a syringe together with needle and carpules, how to apply topical anethetic, and we got to FINALLY make our bleach trays..defenitly something we all were looking forward to!!
Now for this Mid Term we need to be studying pretty much all that we've had to highlight..this includes but is not limited to;
Flouride Treatments, types of stains, why do we make duplicates of xrays, what does the ultrasonic cleaner do, how many films are in a full set of xrays, what is alganet, what does the Dr. use to find decay, we can only ___ things that the patient has touched, where do we apply the topical anesthetic on the tissues, what is a pathogen, what is PPE and what order do we put them on, and soo much more..
I truely can not believe we are already on our 6th week of school! WE ARE HALF WAY DONE! ITS TIME TO START LOOKING FOR PLACES TO DO OUR EXTERNSHIPS! WHOA!

Pink Stains, green sand, and weird gooooopp....

IT TOOK ALL NIGHT TO GET THE LAST BIT OF PROFY PASTE OUT OF MY MOUTH!!

Sunday:
Quiz, lecture, LAB!!! In Sunday's Lab we got to polish each others teeth! Learning how to hold the instruments, use the instruments while holding them, and polishing teeth(all sides) was definitely an adventure! Although some of us finished faster than others- we all enjoyed doing this..even if it was kind of nerve racking the first couple of teeth..
Thursday Night:
Rubber Dams.....enough said...haha....we also went over our homework. We watched a video and I personally took alot of notes about rubber dams..just because I would like them for the future..but, it was really easy to learn about them..getting them on...now that seems to be a little more challenging!

All in all..I am sooo happy to be in this class and to have chosen this school. My teachers are so fun and they really make learning enjoyable(wish I would of had them threw high school..hehehe). They already have taught me alot about the dental community and I am so excited to get out there and work! Teeth are all I seem to notice about people now when I first seem them..I am even dreaming about my wisdom teeth being pulled out during class! hahaha..

SEE YOU ALL ON THURSDAY NIGHT!!!
dont forget we have Chapters 9,10,17,18 due and of course another quiz on Sunday!!!

DID YOU KNOW?
WHEN YOU HAVE A CARBOHYDRATE IN YOUR MOUTH IT RAISES YOUR ACIDIC LEVEL? ...AND THAT EDGES YOUR TEETH!?....another reason why I have to stay away from carbs........GREAT! :(

WHAT A WEEK!!!

This has been an awesome week!

Thursday night we got to get to know eachother up close and personal even if we dont know eachothers names yet..we got to know their mouths! The night went by really fast and before I knew it I was begging my boyfriend to let me chart his! We went over homework and went over alot of information that we were told "may be on the quiz"..we also got to wipe down the areas where we practiced and got to know our area.
Sunday has been the funniest so far..at least for me. The biggest quote of the day was.."I don't want you to be perfect today, I want you to make a mess..It means that you are actually learning"..COULDN'T OF BEEN MORE TRUE!!.. We got to make empressions of our partners arches and of course they got to it back. Personally I was a little nervous about having my top empression done, because I was afraid of gagging..a little silly yes, but it turned out it really wasnt that bad. We also had a quiz that day and got to learn about sterilzation and about different bacteria. Pretty easy Sunday - it was also Mother's Day!!

We have homework DUE ON THURSDAY and another quiz on SUNDAY. I know I'm really going to be studying chapter 5...Although we do have 5 Chapters we need to study, I feel...That chapter 5 is what will be the hardest for me.
I hope everyone has a great week!!! See you Thursday night!!

DID YOU KNOW?...It is now a ghost town, but in 1861, Nevadaville outside Central City was larger than Denver!!??!!?? WIERD HUH...

Ladies In Attendance

We learned soo much our first day! I am so excited to continue the program and to become educated on Denisty and Dental Assisting..or should I say "Spit Sucking" lol..hehehe...

Sunday we learned how to read a chart/charting, what colors to use, differences between different fillings (alagima & composits), and a little bit about the history of denistry.

We also have homework for Thursday!!

Read Chapters 1,4,12 and complete work sheets

.also study the charts..I have a feeling that we are going to need this soon... quiz...

The picture is of our "Ladies in Attendance" Class here in BROOMFIELD..minus one person..me..lol :)

Our Instructors are great! They seem to really know what they are talking about and they are very approachable....that is very refreshing.

I can already tell that this is going to be fun!!

DID YOU KNOW?!..THE EARLIEST TOOTH BRUSHES WERE MADE OF STICKS FRAID AT THE END OR OF IVORY AND ANIMAL FUR!?..I dont know about you..but...no thanks..haha

SEE YOU ALL THURSDAY NIGHT! BRING YOUR MOUTHWASH!! :)

Its over!

I just finished up my last class on the 23rd and I miss it tons! I learned so much in a very short time at CSDA. The instructors were awesome and helped me out with everything I needed to know. I am very impressed with CSDA I am glad that I went here rather than a longer program. The program worked out well with my schedule being a single mom. I am looking forward to getting involved in the dental community. Thank you CSDA for everything you have helped me become. I feel prepared and ready to go :)

-Brooke Kroshus

Class in 6 Days!

Hello!!!!!!!

My name is Audre and I am starting class May 1, 2011!! I just wanted to introduce myself and let everyone know that the blogging has began!! As a soon to be student at CSDA I just want to say that I'm very excited and I can not wait to get this started!

Did You Know?.......

In the course of an average lifetime, you will eat around 70 assorted insects and 10 spiders..maybe even more!?

Cant wait to meet you all on Sunday!! 9am sharp!!

Audre

P.S. Don't forget to print out your Work Book!!!

Places you can fit are:

Your local community Workforce Center, you local library, Kinko's, and FedEx.

SEE YOU SOON!!!!!!!!!!!

A Career Rather Than a Job

Why Settle for a Job When You Could Have A Career

Dental assisting provides individuals with a fun, exciting and caring career that delivers real benefits to people every day.

DENVER – (April 19, 2011) – Studies show a strong link between positive self-esteem and the appearance of people’s teeth. By helping improving patients’ oral health, Dental Assistants play an important role in helping people feel better about themselves. And, because each patient is different, dental assisting offers endless variety of experiences from day to day, keeping everyday as exciting as the last.

Training For a Career in Dental Assisting:

Whether embarking on a second career, or looking for a reliable, recession-proof first career, seeking workforce education rather than college can be more rewarding in the long run. The skills learned at 1 or 2-year dental assisting programs can be out of touch with what is necessary to get a job as a dental assistant. A dental assisting program that is accelerated and hands-on, such as at the CSDA with its 12-week session and 12 hours per week of class time, is an affordable alternative to a degree granting program, with tuition much more competitively priced at under $3000, and offering the same starting salary.

“I didn’t realize how fulfilling a career in dental assisting would be,” said Jessica Marshman, a recent CSDA graduate who accepted a position with a Denver dentist weeks after receiving her certification. “Aside from the benefits of full-time employment, I have the greatest job in the world: helping people smile.”

The next session begins April 30, 2011 and May 1, 2011 for Saturday and Sunday classes respectively.

Week 8 already :)

The mid-term went perfect 100% on both the written and practical!!! HOORAY!!!

I can not believe how far we have come and that our externships are starting... eek! We have learned so much even from just two weeks ago. Assisting skills like suctioning with the HVE, passing instruments (goodness so many to know), mixing bases, liners, cements, assisting with the amalgam and composite restorations, placing of matrix bands, bleaching trays, and much more. Next week is crown and bridges, we get to learn how to do a temporary! So excited for this as well as friends and family day :) This is the time we get to show off our skills! Time is flying by and I'm loving every minute and absorbing so much. It's sad to think time is almost over...

Everyone have a wonderful weekend, I can't wait for class tomorrow and to finish my bleaching tray!!

The CSDA was founded in April 2001, with our first session in July of 2001. We are celebrating the 10th Year Anniversary with a Homecoming Reunion on April 8, 2011. The Reunion is for all past students/alumni. We will be serving drinks and appetizers and hope many of you can make it to share your experience thus far with former classmates. Unfortunately, we only have room for 100 people. Past students should be receiving invites online from Pingg.com. If you are a past student and did not receive an invitation, and would like to attend, call Amady at 800-383-3408. Hope to see you there!

Zoe

Mid-term is approaching!

School is going amazing! I can't believe we are almost to our half way mark. Mid-term is this saturday and we all can't wait to see what is in store. We have learned so much already in such a short time. Charting, coronal polishing, pain and anxiety control, full mouth x-ray's, sealants, rubber dams, impressions and so much more!!! I absolutely love that everything has been immediately hands-on experience. Our instructors are always right there to help if we have questions or assistance. They have provided such great information about real life scenerios and how it really is in the office :) We still have a lot of learning and I couldn't be more excited to do just that!

looooove CSDA!

Hey everyone! My name is Brooke Kroshus I recently started at CSDA Jan.29Th. I absolutely LOVE it! The teachers are amazing!! Yesterday was our 4Th class (one night got cancelled due to bad weather) and we got right into everything. Impressions, pours, sealants, dental dams, polishings. It was awesome! I am so excited for our next class. The teachers help you so much and make sure that you know exactly what is going on and if you don't then they are there to help you. I am super glad that I decided to attend CSDA. I have met some really amazing girls, the class is small which I think is a very good thing, you get to know everyone and get the attention you need from your teachers. Ill let you know how Thursday night goes , 2ND quiz wish me luck ! :)

Ok we have started school and its going GREAT....I love the instructors as well as the other students. I am go glad I choose this program.

CSDA

EDDA Course

Well, after deliberating for about 8 years, the CSDA has finally decided to offer an EDDA course. The course has been approved by the Colorado Board of Education, and will start this Spring, 2011. The EDDA course will consist of 4 Saturdays at our Broomfield location, and will cover placing permanent restorations, sealants, final impressions and provisional restorations. Prospective students of this program will have to have worked for one year as a dental assistant to be admitted.

We are very excited about this new course! Check back for more updates, and to see what our students are saying.

The CSDA.

Almost Over

So we are finally down to the final two weeks of class! I'm very excited to get out into the dental field and start applying what we have learned, I have the up most confidence in our classes ability to go out there and find great jobs.
Joyce and Judy are the best teachers that we could have ever asked for, they are always willing to go that extra mile to help us. I would definitely recommend this program to friends and family.

Sonia
Broomfield, Co.

I can't believe it's almost over

Two more weeks to

This Just In: Single Mom Goes Back To School and Lands Job

Our latest news, hot off the press: Single Mom Goes Back To School and Lands Job

Colorado School of Dental Assisting Continues to Train For Second Careers

FORT COLLINS – January 13, 2011- With unemployment figures painting a bleak picture, Erin Fay, with her degree in business administration was unable to find a decent job. She dabbled in some at-home-businesses, had her own scrapbooking company, but wanted something better. As a single mom, Erin wanted a career that would allow her to support her family. She talked to some acquaintances, and discovered that dental assisting was a well-liked job, with demand and a decent wage. So, off she went to the Colorado School of Dental Assisting, in Fort Collins, to begin her new career. After graduating in January of 2010, she landed a dental assisting job at a specialist’s office in Loveland. “I am thankful for where I am in life; I have a job that I love and I am supporting my family” says Erin.

Erin wants everyone to know "CSDA is a great school for dental assisting. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in the field." Thanks Erin for a great story with a happy ending!

Zoe