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Prophylaxis Assistance Training

Target Group

Dental Assistants

Application and Admission

Professional licence, current employment as a dental assistant, at least 2 years of practice 

Duration of Training

144 hours of theory and practice

8 modules, part-time, for working professionals

Fri, Sat all-day

Programme Coordinator

Dr. Michael Müller

Next Start

September 2024

Fees

€ 4.565 
incl. VAT
€ 220 examination fees 
incl. VAT

Course Completion

30 documented appraisals, final examination in front of a board

Place of Instruction

University Clinic of Dentistry
Medical University of Vienna 
Sensengasse 2a
1090 Vienna
Austria

Oral hygiene from A-Z: this is the learning objective of the training for prophylaxis assistants. After completion, dental assistants master all aspects of professional prophylaxis.

Oral hygiene is becoming more and more important in our society. More patients want to obtain professional dental care at a dentist’s practice. In order to meet this need, the University Clinic of Dentistry Vienna is offering a training course for dental assistants who want to become prophylaxis assistants (PASS).

Experienced specialists of the School’s periodontology prophylaxis centre teach dental assistants over the course of this training. All aspects of oral hygiene are covered in eight modules of intensive theoretical and practical training. The content of this course corresponds to the guidelines of the Zahnärztliche Assistenz-Ausbildungsverordnung (ZASS-AV, BGBL. II Nr. 283/2013) (the dental assistant training ordinance).

Taking part in this training for prophylaxis assistance at the University Clinic of Dentistry means the following for you:

  • training at one of the most modern facilities in Europe: 40 workplaces with phantom head and monitor
  • practice-oriented work on phantom heads and then on patients
  • supervision by specialists in periodontology and prophylaxis
  • in parallel, practical training at the employer’s practice
  • in-service-training
  • Award of the professional designation “Prophylaxeassistent”

Prerequisites

The prophylaxis assistance training is designed for fully-trained dental assistants who must fulfil a number of prerequisites.

  • licence to practice as a dental assistant
  • at least 2 years of practice, currently employed
  • employer’s approval
  • proof of hepatitis B immunisation 

Learning content: Oral hygiene from A–Z

The content of this course covers all aspects of oral hygiene and corresponds to the guidelines of the Zahnärztliche Assistenz-Ausbildungsverordnung (ZASS-AV).

  • assessment of plaque and calculus formation
  • plaque indices, bleeding indices
  • assessment and documentation of gingival inflammation
  • execution of saliva swab tests
  • execution of a periodontal basic examination and, if necessary, periodontal status
  • oral and facial photography
  • documentation of the degree of periodontal inflammation 
  • sensitivity test in recall
  • execution of microbiological exams and risk tests
  • recording of changes in the dental hard substance and the periodontal tissue, assessment and report to the dentist
  • recognition of changes in the oral mucosa and report to the dentist
  • informing the patient on the causes, the development and the consequences of caries, gingivitis and periodontal diseases
  • patient-specific motivation to achieve a change in behaviour
  • as needed, instruction on caries and periodontal prophylactic measures 
  • oral-prophylactic advice on nutrition
  • execution and check of the demand-oriented individual prophylaxis programme
  • prophylaxis in orthodontics and paediatric dentistry
  • professional dental cleaning
  • creation of a clean environment in the oral cavity
  • prophylactic measures (e.g. nutrition, instruction on inter-dental cleaning)
  • local use of neck of tooth desensitising remedies
  • ergonomic work posture
  • professional maintenance of instruments and waste disposal
  • organisation and execution of the individual recall system
  • correspondence
  • acquisition and storage of prophylactic devices

Schedule for course 2024/2025

The Prophylaxis Assistance Training always begins in fall. The eight modules in total take place every month until April/May of the following year. A total of 144 hours of theory and practice must be completed.

Preliminary course dates 2023 to 2024 (last update: February 22, 2023)

Module 1 20. / 21.09.2024
Module 2 18. / 19.10.2024
Module 3 15. / 16.11.2024
Module 4 13. / 14.12.2024
Module 5 10. / 11.01.2025
Module 6 14. / 15.02.2025
Module 7 14. / 15.03.2025
Module 8 25. / 26.04.2025 (Examination date)

Completion of the course

In order to successfully complete the training you must meet the following criteria:

  • 30 documented appraisals at the employer’s practice
  • Four completely documented patient cases at the University Clinic of Dentistry Vienna under supervision as quality assurance
  • Final examination before a board in theory (written and oral) as well as practice

Application

We only consider applications in writing on the specified form, by e-mail or fax. Since the number of participants is limited to a maximum of 24 participants, admission will take place chronologically by the order of application.

You will receive written confirmation of your successful application as well as the information to transfer fees. Please consider that your registration is only valid and binding after the course fees have been paid (by transfer only).

Application documents

The following documents need to be attached to the application:

  • copy of the transcript of the dental assistant training 
  • passport photo (as a .jpg file)
  • employer’s confirmation of at least years of professional experience after completion of dental assistance training
  • proof of hepatitis B immunisation
Cancellation Policy

You may only cancel the registration in writing. Please consider the following terms of cancellation. If the cancellation occurs up to 30 calendar days before the start of the course, there is no cancellation fee. In the event of a cancellation between the 29 days until and including the 7th calendar day before the start of the course, the cancellation fee will be 50% of the course fee. In the event of a later cancellation, or in case of failure to appear, the entire fee will be charged.


Programme Coordinator and Instructors

Dr. Michael Müller

Programme Coordinator of the Prophylaxis Assistance Training Course

University Clinic of Dentistry
Medical University of Vienna
Sensengasse 2a
1090 Vienna
Austria

E: pass-unizahnklinik@meduniwien.ac.at

Dr. Dino Tur

Deputy Coordinator

University Clinic of Dentistry
Medical University of Vienna
Sensengasse 2a
1090 Vienna
Austria

E: pass-unizahnklinik@meduniwien.ac.at

Instructors

The experienced team of the Clinical Division of periodontology and prophylaxis is involved in the course as well as specialists from other departments of the School of Dentistry Vienna. Dentists, as well as prophylaxis assistants and dental hygienists, take part in the instruction. Due to the close connection to periodontal research, you can expect a training course at the highest level.

Lehrbuch
Zahnmedizinische Prophylaxe – Lehrbuch und Praxisleitfaden

Roulet JF, Fath S, Zimmer S;
Verlag: Urban & Fischer, 5. Aufl. 2017
ISBN: 978-3-437-05123-4

Altersgerechte Prophylaxe: Grundlagen und Praxisfälle für Zahnmedizinische Fachangestellte und Prophylaxeassistentinnen
Schulz-Brewing
Kiehl Vlg; 1. Aufl.  2011
ISBN-10: 3470634319


Hedwig Rutschek

Hedwig Rutschek

Assistance and organization

University Clinic of Dentistry
Medical University of Vienna
Sensengasse 2a
1090 Vienna
Austria