ADA, Immersify launch online training course for dental assistants
Modules use interactive 3D simulations, branching scenarios
On-the-job training can be overwhelming for both dental assistants and practices, but a new online course is here to help prepare assistants for their first day.
On July 6, the American Dental Association and Immersify — an artificial intelligence-powered learning technology company — launched Foundations First, a six-to-eight-hour online course developed with the help of ADA subject matter experts. It is designed to be completed before assistants see their first patient.
The course covers six modules, including infection control, dental terminology, common instruments and the operatory, chairside assisting, introduction to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliance, and first-week readiness. The course uses interactive 3D simulations and branching scenarios that reflect the real decisions new assistants face on the job.
Dental assistant educational requirements vary by state, with many states not requiring any formal education or licensure to perform basic, entry-level tasks. This course is intended to provide new assistants with a consistent, evidence-based starting point to support the delivery of quality oral healthcare as part of the dental team, and participants will receive a verifiable certificate on completion.
“This innovative training tool is a valuable resource for dentists in states that allow on-the-job training for entry-level dental assistants,” said Jennifer Thompson, D.D.S., chair of the ADA Council on Dental Practice. “New dental assistants engage with interactive educational content that reinforces key concepts and supports immediate application in practice. The flexibility, accessibility and real-world relevance of the program create substantial value for our member dentists.”
The course costs $99 and works on any device. To learn more and register, visit immersify.com/ADA. A second course, Case Study Driven, is expected to be released later this year.
