Technical Standards

The ability to:

• Perceive events realistically.
• Think clearly and rationally.
• Function appropriately in routine and stressful situations.
• Independently and accurately assess or contribute to the assessment of a patient.

Examples

• Find changes in patient health status.
• Prioritize multiple dental activities in a variety of situations.

Critical Thinking Standard

Careful thought, reasoned judgment. Differentiated from opinion and superficial memorization of facts by the ability to obtain and use a proper quantity and quality of data for a given situation.

Critical thinkers question assumptions, routines and rituals, reconsider "known facts" when added information becomes available and develop new "rules" when old ones fail or become unavailable.

Ability to learn and reason: to integrate, analyze and synthesize data concurrently.

Solve problems rapidly, consider alternatives and decide on managing or intervening in the care of a patient.

Examples

• Able to make effective decisions in the classroom and in the clinical sites.
• Able to determine previous treatment and explain findings with a patient.
• Develop/contribute to dental care plans that accurately reflect patient concerns.
• Able to make decisions reflective of classroom learning in the clinical sites.

Motor Skills

Possess the physical strength and dexterity necessary to provide safe patient care.

Examples

• Position patients.
• Reach, manipulate and use equipment, instruments, and supplies (e.g., syringes, sterile equipment, monitors).
• Perform/use electronic documentation.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull.
• Perform CPR.

Organizational Skills

Ability to plan routines, to think clearly and rationally, and to function appropriately in routine.

Able to manage time within a given timeframe.

Examples

• Able to follow program policies and procedures in lectures, labs and clinic.
• Able to prioritize tasks in a clinic appointment routine (e.g., clinic set-up, clean up, infection control protocol, radiology protocol).
• Able to attend lectures, labs and clinics on time.
• Able to manage multiple courses during a semester, prioritize study time, and submit assignments and required course projects on time.

Activity Tolerance

Ability to tolerate lengthy periods of physical activity.

Able to tolerate repetitious and strenuous work.

Examples

Move quickly and/or continuously.

Tolerate extended periods of sitting.

Communication

Communicate effectively in English with others in oral and written form.

Able to communicate with patients and members of the healthcare team to plan and deliver safe care.

Examples

• Utilize oral and written communication skills sufficiently for teaching/learning and for interaction with others.
• Read, understand, write, and speak English with clarity.
• Use proper vocabulary.
• Demonstrate good listening skills and focus on patients while communicating.
• Explain treatment procedures in a well-organized progression of ideas.
• Aware of non-verbal messages.
• Use of proper non-verbal communication.
• Initiate and/or reinforce health education.
• Write clear, concise and correct progress notes.
• Read and understand the patient's chart.
• Aware of voice volume, using attitudes and tone that are effective in communicating information.
• Document patient responses.
• Clarify communications received.

Interpersonal Relationships

Interact with clients, families, staff, peers, instructors, and small groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.

Examples

• Establish rapport with patients, families, and colleagues.
• Respond professionally to instructor or peer feedback, both positive and negative.
• Respond in a professional/therapeutic manner to a variety of patient expressions and behaviors.

Hearing

Auditory ability sufficient to hear normal conversation and/or assess health needs.

Examples

Ability to monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds (e.g., B/P, cries for help, telephone interactions, dictation).

Communicates with patients, families, and colleagues.

Vision

Visual ability sufficient for observation, assessment and performance of safe dental care.

Examples

• Observes patient responses.
• Discriminates color changes.
• Accurately reads measurement on client-related equipment.
• Read medication labels.
• Read syringe accurately.
• Able to find parts of the dental instrument as they are adapted to the oral cavity.
• Evaluate for a safe environment.

Tactile

Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment, inclusive of size, shape, temperature, and texture.

Examples

Performs palpation (e.g., taking patient’s pulse)

Performs functions of intra and extra-oral exams, dental and periodontal examinations and/or those related to preventative and therapeutic interventions (e.g., exploring, instrumentation).

Psychosocial Behaviors

Possess the emotional health needed for full use of intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, and the prompt and safe completion of all responsibilities.

Examples

• Demonstrate professional abilities of trustworthiness, empathy, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Able to work with groups of people and one-on-one.
• Able to be flexible and change when needed.
• Learn to function in the face of uncertainties and stressful situations.

Environmental Adaptability

Ability to tolerate environmental stressors.

Examples

• Work with chemicals and detergents.
• Tolerate exposure to odors.
• Work near others.
• Work with infectious agents and blood-borne pathogens.