Restorative Expanded Functions: An 80-Hour Training Program

DENTAL HYGIENISTS & REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANTS: You are invited to participate in an intensive restorative expanded functions training program taught by the same faculty who train the dental students at the University of Minnesota. These experienced course instructors are able to give you a wealth of practical information and clinical tips which comes from an average of 25 years of practice and teaching experience in restorative and pediatric dentistry.

This continuing dental education program will give you the background knowledge and practical skills needed to feel confident in providing the restorative expanded functions recently passed by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry. "A Registered Dental Assistant or Licensed Dental Hygienist may perform certain restorative procedures under indirect supervision upon completion of a board-approved course and issuance of a Restorative Functions (RF) Credential. The procedures that will be allowed include placing, contouring and adjusting: a) amalgam restorations, b) glass ionomers, and/or c) Class I or Class V supragingival composite restorations, whose margins are entirely within the enamel; adaptation and cementation of stainless steel crowns; and adjusting the occlusion on newly placed restorations."

The restorative expanded functions program developed by the Continuing Dental Education Program at the University of Minnesota has been approved by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.

Phase One: You will benefit from 80 hours of classroom and patient simulated instruction in the:

• manipulation, condensation, placement, and contouring of amalgam restorations.
• manipulation, placement, curing and polishing of glass ionomer and Class I & V composite restorations where margins are entirely within enamel.
• adaptation, cementation, and removal of excess cement from stainless steel crowns on primary teeth.
• maintainence of a dry field during the placement of all types of restorations.
• articulation and adjustment of the occlusion for amalgam, glass ionomer and composite restorations.
• identification and correction of deficiencies in amalgam, glass ionomer, and composite restorations as well as stainless steel crowns.

Phase Two: You will identify a supervising dentist who will agree to provide personal (chairside) supervision during your completion of the following patient experiences:*

• amalgam--5 primary and 5 permanent teeth/surfaces
• glass ionomer--3 primary and 2 permanent teeth/surfaces
• stainless steel crowns--4 primary
• composite--2 primary and 3 permanent teeth/ surfaces

*These are minimum requirements and must include at least 12 patients. Patient experiences will be completed in a dental practice.

Phase Three: You will arrange for a credentialing examination by one of the course instructors to be conducted in your dental office. For the examination you will:

• perform two of the four restorative procedures while the credentialing instructor observes and verifies satisfactory performance.
• have completed patient records previously for the other two restorative procedures. Records will include appropriate photographs, radiographs as well as study models.

Timing: Please note that you must complete all of the 80-hour training within one year and that you must also complete the clinical credentialing examination within one year of completing the training program.

Richard Baylon, D.D.S., Adjunct Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota; private practice limited to pediatric dentistry.

Edward Combe, B.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc., Professor, Division of Biomaterials, Department of Diagnostic & Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota.

Gary Cook, D.D.S., M.S., Associate Clinical Specialist, Director, Division of Prosthodontics, Department of Restorative Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota.

David Dvorak, D.D.S., M.A., Clinical Professor, Division of Operative Dentistry, Department of Restorative Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota.

Michael Madden, D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Specialist, Division of Prosthodontics, Department of Restorative Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota.

Maureen A. Ohland, D.D.S., M.S., Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Primary Dental Care, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota.

Paul Walker, D.D.S., M.S., Clinical Professor, Indiana University; Chief Dental Officer (CDO), Kool Smiles, Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Walker is the course director.

What others have liked about the restorative expanded functions program:

"Great mix of clinical instructors--all very knowledgeable with similar goals to help us learn. A very informative continuing dental education course with up-to-date topics as well as first hand experiences. I learned so much and am very grateful to all of the course instructors for their time and patience."

"While we were learning, we had fun and lots of hands-on experience."

"The instructors and support staff were absolutely outstanding---you made it easy, bearable and enjoyable. The fact that you put this together--thank-you for your time and making this class possible. It has given me a new excitement for my job and I can't wait to put the restorative functions into work daily."

"I liked the hands-on."

"Everything--information, hands-on, instructors--everyone spoke at our level, made us feel comfortable and taught us so much."

"The total coverage in the short amount of time spent."

"Lecture was interesting. Staff was fun and worked well together. Each doctor had useful and different techniques to share."

"The instructors and the positive approach."

"The relationship that we formed with continuing dental education coordinators, instructors and other students was positive both from a learning and social perspective. Thank you all for the program, patience and enthusiasm!"

"I feel that I have learned so much. This continuing dental education program has given me a new excitement towards what I do."

"I liked the topics, instructors and the information about the most recent research in dentistry."

"Well paced and constructive feedback."

"I feel that I have enough information to continue learning on my own."