Certificate in Dental Assisting Program (Levels I and II)

at George Brown College - Waterfront Campus Canada

The Dental Hygiene program prepares students to practice as primary oral health care providers. This three-year program focuses on developing interpersonal communication skills and professionalism while applying the dental hygiene process of care. Emphasis is placed on preparing students to function effectively within a collaborative relationship including the client, the community and other health-care providers.

The Dental Hygiene program prepares students to practice as primary oral health care providers.

This three-year program focuses on applying the dental hygiene process of care while developing interprofessionalism, client-centred care and interpersonal communication skills. Students have the opportunity to gain confidence in their learned skills while working with clients in our on-site WAVE Dental Clinic.

Emphasis is placed on preparing students to function effectively within a collaborative dental team that includes:

    the client
    the community
    other health care providers

Students and clients collaboratively evaluate care provided by delineating short-term and long-term goals and employing strategies for continued care.

The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination. (Note: Additional fees apply.) Successful completion is one of the requirements for registration by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) to practise in the province. Visti the CDHO website (A Guide to the Process of Being Registered as a Dental Hygienist in Ontario).

Recreation Management in Gerontology is a unique diploma program that will teach you the specialized skills required to work with older adults. Over the course of two years, you’ll learn how to design therapeutic programs for older adults that consider the physical, mental and spiritual perspectives of the aging process.

You’ll learn to develop strong communication skills – both from a management and interpersonal perspective. This work requires the ability to work with people across different life stages, so effective communication skills are essential to the job. You will go on to develop coordinator skills that will prepare you to manage physical, financial and human resources.

You’ll also study the science and theory behind aging. This in-depth look at the biological changes of aging includes an understanding of diseases often related to aging like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Hands-on learning is a major component of this program. To help you gain confidence as you learn to create specialized therapeutic programs, you’ll get lots of practice on-site at our 21,000+ square foot Simulation Centre facility and off-site with one of our field placement partners. You’ll also learn proper documentation and Resident Assessment Instrument – Minimum Data Set (RAI-MDS) training.

This academically challenging program will equip you with the skills required to provide therapeutic recreation in a variety of settings that include long-term care facilities, retirement homes, community-based service agencies and adult day programs.

Your Field Education Options
Field education, also known as work integrated learning, plays an important role in this program by integrating theoretical learning with practical experience in a workplace setting. Field education is offered in each semester with each experience building on the previous one.

You can expect to complete your field placements in a variety of settings and with older adults of differing needs and abilities.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Function effectively as a member of an inter-professional team in the development and provision of health-promoting and life-enhancing services and programs for older adults.
  • Accurately and comprehensively assess and record the ongoing needs of the older adult using a variety of widely used electronic systems.
  • Develop, coordinate, deliver and evaluate a variety of services/programs that enhance clients’ level of functioning and quality of life by applying relevant research and theory to practice.
  • Apply appropriate health and safety protocols in order to protect the health, safety and well-being of their clients, their co-workers and themselves.
  • Communicate effectively using a variety of therapeutic techniques and in adherence with privacy and freedom of information legislation.
  • Identify, select and use appropriate professional and community resources to meet the needs of the older adult.
  • Ensure programs operate in compliance with relevant policy, legislation and standards of practice for services to older adults in a variety of settings.
  • Establish and maintain professional and ethical standards in the field of activation gerontology as set out by relevant professional bodies.
  • Promote accessible, inclusive and responsive programs and services by recognizing the diverse needs and experiences of individuals, groups, families and communities.
  • Manage physical, financial and human resources in order to effectively coordinate services for older adults.

Behavioural Science Technician (Accelerated) is a one-year intensive diploma program for applicants who have a bachelor's degree with a major in Psychology or a related discipline. Applicants must have completed Introduction to Psychology and one other psychology-related course.

This program provides students with an opportunity to study applied behaviour analysis (ABA) and behavioural intervention.

The themes in the program include:

• Behavioural theory and application
• Program development
• Scientific method
• Ethics and professionalism
• Diversity
• General education with an emphasis on practical application in the field

Practicum and course work is often related to developmental disabilities, acquired brain injury, gerontology, and behavioural disorders.

Behavioural Science Technician is a two-year diploma program that provides students with an opportunity to study applied behaviour analysis (ABA). This field of study helps prepare you for work that is often related to developmental disabilities, brain injury, gerontology, and behavioural disorders. A common misconception about this program is that it involves teaching students counselling and "talk therapy." It does not.

The themes in the program include:

• Behavioural theory and application
• Program development
• Scientific method
• Ethics and professionalism
• Diversity
• General education with an emphasis on practical application in the field

Art and Design Foundation is a one-year certificate program that provides students with a broad base of expert knowledge and technical skills in the field of art and design. This program is designed for students who want to explore a variety of art and design disciplines, to develop their portfolio for further study or for those who wish to enjoy learning creative skills in a studio-based environment.

The Honours Bachelor of Behaviour Analysis is a four-year degree program that takes an in-depth look at Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) – a field of study that uses a systematic and analytical approach to modify behaviour in a desirable way.

We have been providing training and education in applied behaviour analysis in Toronto for more than 15 years. Our graduates are leaders of behavioural treatment in fields as varied as forensic mental health, autism spectrum disorder, and acquired brain injury.

ABA is an effective practice that is often used with populations who have:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Brain injury
• Dementia
• Developmental disabilities
• Addiction
• Mental health disorders

What you will be studying:
Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to the treatment and understanding of human behaviour. This approach can be applied to the entire range of human behaviour (i.e., thoughts, feelings and actions). Research has shown that an evidence-based approach such as ABA is most effective at decreasing problem behaviour and developing a variety of skills.

The ABA approach involves three main components:

• Component 1: A complete behavioural assessment is conducted. A variety of interview and observational techniques are used to gain an understanding of the behaviour to be changed. Students learn how to observe and analyze behaviour in a variety of situations in order to develop an effective treatment strategy.
• Component 2: The next step is to use the results of the behavioural assessment to develop an effective plan that will reduce specific problem behaviours and develop or strengthen cognitive and behavioural skills. Students will learn a variety of behavioural and cognitive behavioural techniques that can be used to change behaviour.
• Component 3: The final phase is an ongoing evaluation of components one and two. Students will learn how to measure the effectiveness of their interventions, and continue to refine and revise their interventions based on the results of these measures.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Learn about psychological theory, research and practices.
  • Design and conduct various assessments across a variety of settings and populations.
  • Design and implement research-based programs in applied behaviour analysis and evaluate their effectiveness.
  • Practice behavioural consulting skills, with different populations.
  • Demonstrate appropriate social, professional, and clinical skills in the context of an interdisciplinary setting with a variety of clients, their support networks, professionals, and the community.
  • Maintain a high degree of professionalism and ethical standards.
  • Communicate, orally and in written form, results of behavioural assessments and treatment programs.
  • Understand, critically evaluate, and synthesize issues in society.

Health Information Management is a two-year diploma program (fully accredited by the Canadian Health Information Management Association) focused on providing the skills and knowledge needed by health information practitioners. It prepares graduates to participate in the collection and organization of health information.

Curriculum content emphasizes:-

• Biomedical sciences
• Health informatics
• Health record systems
• Medical classification systems and coding
• Data collection
• Statistical analysis and presentation
• Health-care legislation

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Keep current with relevant local, national and global health care and health information management issues, trends, technologies and standards to support health information management systems and processes and guide professional development.
• Assess personal health information from individual client visits for accuracy, completeness and consistency using knowledge of biomedical sciences, medical diagnoses and interventions, causes of diseases, and medical terminology, abbreviations and acronyms.
• Apply current, accurate codes and standards to relevant personal health information from individual client visits using health information, coding, classification and abstracting systems proficiently.
• Comply with the legal obligations, as well as with the professional, ethical and organizational standards that ensure privacy, security and confidentiality in the access, retention, storage and disposal of personal health information.
• Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of health information management practices, policies and processes to support client care, organizational goals, operations, and regulatory compliance.
• Participate in maintaining the completeness, accuracy, consistency, timeliness and integrity of health information throughout the management of its lifecycle.
• Use knowledge of systems interoperability standards, database architecture, software versioning, classification and terminology mapping, data collection requirements, legal obligations, and the health information management lifecycle, and apply fundamental project management principles and practices to support the procurement and implementation of health information management systems.
• Retrieve and release personal health information in response to legitimate requests, in accordance with statutory requirements, and within specified deadlines.
• Participate in the retrieval, analysis and presentation of relevant health information to stakeholders to support organizational decision-making, epidemiological studies and clinical research.
• Work professionally, ethically and collaboratively with stakeholders and as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team, within a structured, regulated and evolving system of health care, to enhance the collection, distribution, use, security and awareness of quality health information and its impact on client care.
• Use current and emerging technologies to support the management, analysis and presentation of health information.

Office Administration – Health Services is a two-year diploma program that will prepare you to work effectively and efficiently in a health-care office environment. These often dynamic settings can require a broad range of skills, including both technical and soft or 'people' skills.

Some of the practical and technical skills include:

• Computer applications and software
• Medical terminology and anatomy
• Transcription
• Administrative and clinical office procedures
• Billing for medical office settings
• Health-care law

We'll also prepare you to communicate effectively in a medical office environment by teaching you best practices with respect to:

• Active listening
• Effective writing for business communication
• Oral communication skills

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Conduct oneself professionally and adhere to relevant legislation, standards and codes of ethics.
  • Manage the scheduling, coordination and organization of administrative tasks and workflow within specific deadlines and according to set priorities.
  • Coordinate the collection, analysis, distribution and response to communications in the workplace to facilitate the flow of information.
  • Operate and provide support to others related to the use of office equipment and technologies.
  • Evaluate, establish and administer health records management systems to ensure confidential, secure, accessible and organized electronic and paper records.
  • Produce financial and client billing records for health services by compiling relevant information and using accounting software.
  • Produce health documents and reports using available technologies and applying industry standards.
  • Use interpersonal and client service skills to respond to the diverse needs of clients, their family members and the health care team.
  • Identify and use non-invasive clinical tasks to support effective and efficient health service operations.

Hearing Instrument Specialist is a three-year, six-semester advanced diploma program that uses the latest technology to train students to work in this field.

As our population ages, there is greater demand for highly qualified hearing instrument specialists who can provide a client-centred approach to better hearing health care. Our vision is to be the leader in preparing hearing professionals with applied and academic skills and competencies.

Students will develop clinical skills that will enable them to not only test hearing, but to select and fit hearing aids.

Graduates will have a strong foundation in the theory and skills related to the hearing instrument sciences, such as:

• Acoustics
• Audiometric testing
• Hearing aid technology

The curriculum offers significant opportunities for applied learning. To help prepare our graduates for employment, we offer additional courses that cover key contemporary topics including:

• Health promotion
• Counselling
• Business management

The Dental Technology program will prepare you to work in the field of dental technology. If you want to work in the dental industry but don’t necessarily want to engage directly with client care, consider this profession. We recommend that you have an eye for detail, enjoy working with your hands and have good hand/eye coordination.

We’ll teach you to use a variety of tools to create oral devices that are prescribed by regulated dental practitioners (often a dentist). You’ll learn how to use specialized hand tools, molds and the latest technology to make oral devices that are as unique as the individuals you will be creating them for. You’ll practice your skills in our on-site high-tech dental labs as we teach you to create:

• Full dentures
• Partial dentures
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Implant-regulated restorations
• Orthodontic appliances
• Other speciality items

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Apply learned theory of biology, biomechanics, chemistry, and anatomy in all relevant aspects of dental technology practice.
• Employ safe and aseptic procedures when using and maintaining equipment and materials associated with the dental technology profession.
• Select and utilize specified materials in the construction of dental prostheses, recognizing the materials’ limitations and advantages.
• Complete all work in the dental technology practice in adherence to the legislative and ethical requirements of the profession.
• Design and construct dental prostheses using current technologies and materials.
• Analyze and evaluate the design and construction of dental prostheses.
• Work and communicate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary health care team.
• Identify effective business practices in the management of a dental laboratory.