ADAPT: a new ADAA Allied Dental Adult Personnel training program: meeting the challenge of dental assisting education: linking education and the dental office workplace - American Dental Assistants Association - Allied Dental Adult Personnel Training program

Dental Assistant, The, Jan-Feb, 2004 by Darlene Eaton Novak

Preliminary Planning

The Distant Learning Self-Study Model (ADAPT) is currently being implemented by the American Dental Assistants Association and will be described in this article. In developing this program, performance-based instructional design and the critical events model were utilized. Nadler's model offered a process from which to review the current needs of dental practice. The six elements essential in designing this model were:

1) defining the needs for dental practice personnel utilization

2) specifying job performance

3) identifying learner needs

4) determining objectives

5) developing curriculum and instructional strategies

6) evaluating each step of the instructional design

These elements were identified through literature research and dental practice regulation information, input from a focus group and dental study club, review of the accreditation guidelines for dental assisting programs by the ADA Council on Dental Education and certification requirements of the Dental Assisting National Board. Emphasis has been placed on evaluation and feedback.

Basis for the New Allied Dental Adult Personnel Training Program

This comprehensive distant learning self-study program is based on my new 37-chapter textbook, Contemporary Dental Assisting. Many practicing dentists, dental faculty members, health care professionals, and allied dental personnel contributed their expertise. Each chapter represents a recognized course of study required in dental assisting education programs. The textbook and self-study program were coordinated and developed with accreditation standards for dental assisting programs by the ADA Council on Dental Education, Dental Assisting National Board certification requirements, and established dental assisting program curriculum.

Key points, chapter outlines, learning objectives, key terms, points for review, and self-study questions are an integral part of the textbook and have been reinforced in the self-study program. Step-by-step procedures are included in the textbook and reinforced with additional evaluations, check sheets, and modules in the self-study program. Materials needed to complete each procedure and self-evaluation are included. The textbook and the self-study materials have been developed for distant learning self-study with dental office affiliations required for clinical application. A focus committee will review and update instructional material and provide input into the continuing professional education development option of the program. Educational institutions, dental offices, professional organizations, and other affiliates (approved sponsors or program coordinators) are encouraged to cosponsor with the ADAA in providing this nontraditional and "teacher assisted" Allied Dental Adult Personnel Training program.

The textbook, Contemporary Dental Assisting, is required reading for the ADAPT self-study training program. Participants must complete reading assignments, take a final multiple choice test, complete clinical evaluations (when required), and fill out an assignment check sheet as part of the course requirements. The self-study material has been designed to emphasize both theory and skill. The program and the textbook were developed specifically to help the reader focus on and understand the key content and learning objectives for each area of study. The program provides guidance for the step-by-step procedures and reinforces the textbook's description of materials needed to complete each task, the steps essential to perform the task, and the criteria necessary to evaluate that procedure.