1. Minimum one (1) year of clinical chair-side assistance experience. Experience may be substituted with successful completion of a Dental Assisting Program.

2. When registering, click here to print out the Letter of Recommendation »
The letter must be completed by the sponsoring dentist. Preferably printed on letterhead, the letter verifies:

1. Employment;
2. At least one (1) year chair-side assistance experience; and
3. Agreement to support the practical-clinical component at the office after the course (see course description).

Lastly, after registration, but before coming to class:

3. Registrants must review emailed course materials prior to attending this course. Materials will be emailed to the addresses provided in the registration form.

This course will be defined by the Kentucky Board of Dentistry's amended educational requirements for dental auxiliary personnel who will qualify for a Certificate in Coronal Polishing under a dentist's direct supervision [KRS 313.045 (6)]. This course consists of both Didactic and Practical components.

1. Didactic - Lecture: This will be verified by written exam per guidelines of the Kentucky Board of Dentistry.
2. Practical - Pre-clinical/Clinical: This will be verified by faculty demonstrations and evaluation of participants at the teaching institution with follow-up per Section 5 of KRS 313.045 (6).
3. Practical - Clinical Component: Follow up of five (5) Evaluations of the Practical Clinical Component in the participant's dental office must be returned within a maximum of 60 days from the date of course completion. Once received, certificates will be issued.

Successful completion of the course requires a 75% pass in a multiple-choice question examination as well as in the pre-clinical and clinical portions. Participants who successfully complete the examination and all required post-course requirements as mandated by the Kentucky Board of Dentistry will receive a Certificate of Completion as part of the required training in Coronal Polishing. A one-year mandatory dental office experience is required within the last three years along with this course to qualify as a “Registered Dental Assistant”. Failure to pass course will result in one opportunity to re-take the entire course at 50% reduction of current course fee within one year.

This course does not offer Dental Continuing Education but is defined as a Training Course approved by the Kentucky Board of Dentistry. KBD course ID KBD0013.

Upon completion of this course, participants should have an understanding of:

1. Overview of the dental team
2. Dental ethics, jurisprudence, and the legal understanding of procedures allowed by each dental team member
3. Management of patient records, maintenance of privacy, and completion of proper charting
4. Infection control, universal precaution, and transfer of disease
5. Personal protective equipment and overview of Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements
6. Definition of plaque, types of stain, calculus, and related terminology and topics
7. Dental tissue surrounding the teeth and dental anatomy and nomenclature
8. Ergonomics of proper positioning of patient and dental assistant
9. General principles of dental instrumentation
10. Rational of performing coronal polishing
11. Abrasive agents
12. Coronal polishing armamentarium
13. Warnings of trauma which can be caused by improper techniques in polishing
14. Clinical competency in a clinical dental setting as set forth in Section 3.2Q of KRS 313.045 (6)

Course Director:

Rebecca H. Mercke, DMD is a clinical professor in the Department of Diagnosis & Oral Health at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. She is course director for the Dental Hygiene Program’s Physical Diagnosis and Medical Management and Periodontics courses and supervises the Dental Hygiene and DMD Recall Clinics. Dr. Mercke has also taught Immunology, Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Human Biology, Medical Terminology, and Academic Success Seminars. Her career in dentistry has exceeded 31 years and includes experience in private practice in Bluefield, Virginia and Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Mercke is a member of the American Dental Association.

Course Instructors: ULSD Faculty and Staff

All University of Louisville School of Dentistry Faculty are licensed practitioners in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and have no relevant financial relationship to disclose pertaining to this course.