Performance Standards

Communication

(General)

Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly with patients, physicians, other health professionals, faculty, family members, significant others, caregivers, and community or professional groups and colleagues. Communication includes: verbal and nonverbal expression, reading, writing, computation, and computer skills.

Participate, in-class and group discussions. Respond appropriately to questions from a variety of sources.

- Display knowledge of basic written grammar and spelling skills.

  - Report and record information accurately   and legibly through notes in the patient’s chart.

- Explain recommended treatment,

preventive procedures, past operative treatment instructions and the nature of disease processes to patient and/or caregiver in a way that is easily understood.

- Communicate effectively recognizing and respecting the physical and

psychological needs of others.

- Help maintain open communication and a professional rapport with all patients.

Physical Endurance

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

Sit for extended periods of time.

Tactile

(touch)

Demonstrate sufficient tactile abilities with both hands to assist in the delivery of patient care.

- Display ability to grasp small instruments and equipment.

-      Transfer instrument to care giver.

Self Care

Demonstrate the ability to maintain general good health and self-care.

-      Maintain personal hygiene.

- Demonstrate safety habits and work area neatness.

- Comply with industry health and safety standards, OSHA guidelines, and material

safety data.

- Maintain a lifestyle that is consistent with one’s educational and professional

requirements.

Mobility

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

Ability to manipulate and demonstrate instruments and equipment without impairment.

   Motor skills

  Gross and fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe and effective patient care with instruments and operation of equipment.

Demonstrate a high degree of manual dexterity and the ability to execute motor movements required to provide general treatment and emergency care to patients, adequate strength and ability to perform lifting.

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

Be independent in ability to move quickly and safely in and around the classroom, laboratory, and the clinical operatory.

- Provide for patient safety and well being in positioning of dental chair, dental light and

x-ray equipment.

- Move from different positions, as required, to perform chairside clinical skills

as well as administer

emergency care procedures if required.

- Exhibit manual dexterity sufficient to manipulate and control small motor driven

equipment.

- Perform instrument transfer using only fingers, wrist and elbow.

- Perform skills with hand instruments during patient care.

- Perform complex motor tasks necessary to take alginate impressions, make temporary

crowns, take intraoral radiographs, and execute other specialty functions as

required.

Hearing

Demonstrate functional use of hearing to acquire and mentally process information that is dictated as part of a clinical exam or observation.

Hear and understand course information from faculty and peers. Process information for use in patient care settings..

- Demonstrate active listening.

- Acquire accurate medical history and data collection verbally from the patient or guardian.

- Audibly ascertain if a patient is experiencing a medical emergency.

   Visual

Demonstrate visual acuity sufficient for observation and recognition of patient needs to insure safe and effective chairside performance.

Observe laboratory demonstrations.

Receive information through visual observation of oral tissues with regard to normal and abnormal conditions.

Demonstrate normal color vision sufficient to recognize subtle changes in oral conditions.

   -      Identify different types of instruments.

   -      Observe and describe the patient’s response to care and evaluate the patient’s level of oral hygiene.

Olfactory Ability

(smell)

Olfactory senses sufficient for environment and patient safety.

Distinguish smells, which contribute to environmental safety.

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 unitization of intellectual abilities and exercise good judgment.

Work under time restraints while performing multiple tasks.  Tolerate and react calmly to stressful situations.  Exercise professional judgment when prioritizing patient’s needs.  Demonstrate flexibility and team work. Show concern for others.

Environment Safety

Ability to recognize and protect self, patients and others from environmental risks and hazards.

Follow standard precautions, safety procedures and post exposure protocols, works safely with potentially hazardous body fluids; utilize disinfectants and cleaning agents; tolerates frequent hand washing and tolerates wearing of gloves, masks and safety eyewear.

Organizational Skills

Demonstrate the ability to multi-task and operate in a logical, sequential, and orderly manner.

Organize required classroom assignments, laboratory work, and extra-curricular activities each semester into a realistic workable schedule that will facilitate student learning and success.

- Anticipate and prioritize tasks to be done in the patient care setting.

Intellectual Abilities

Demonstrate the ability to read, write, speak and understand English at a level consistent with successful course completion and with the development of positive patient-student relationships.

Comprehend and assimilate verbal and written program / course materials.

- Perform simple and repetitive tasks.

- Learn to reconcile conflicting information.

- Use proper punctuation, grammar, spelling in written work that is neat and legible.

- Follow verbal and written

instructions at a 75% or better level of competency.

Commitment to

Learning

Demonstrate a positive attitude toward decision-making policies and program operating rules and procedures, as applied, as well as learn new concepts and abilities within the program’s operational policies and methods.

Demonstrate initiative, motivation and a willingness to learn.

- Complete reading assignments and other activities in a timely manner.

- Complete all work without resorting to cheating or plagiarism.

- Attend all class, laboratory and clinicals, as assigned.

- Be consistently punctual to all classes, laboratories and clinical assignments.