Oral Preventative Assistant (OPA) Course

Training Course Requirements

Please submit the documentation listed below. 

1. DANB CDA certification OR graduation from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program
2. Current/Active Healthcare Provider CPR certification
3. BODEX-approved Radiography certification
4. BODEX-approved Coronal Polishing certification

Use this email address: mcleme@midwestern.edu

If USPS, please mail documents to: 

Ms. Martha Clements
MWU CDMA
19555 North 59th Avenue, Cactus Wren 310-E
Glendale, AZ 85308

MWU CDMA-AZ Training Course Highlights

1. Didactic and clinical instruction - 120 hours - module format
2. Evidence-based curriculum
3. Patient-based hands-on supervised supragingival scaling
4. Clinical competency assessments
5. Understand patient eligibility for OPA services
6. Perform authorized supragingival scaling and removal of plaque, calculus, and stain within the OPA scope of practice.
7. Infection prevention and instrumentation
8. Patient communication and clinical documentation
9. OPA scope of practice and supervision requirements
10. Instruction from experienced MWU CDMA faculty

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this training program, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the scope of practice, supervision requirements, and professional responsibilities of the Arizona Oral Preventive Assistant, including effective communication of the OPA's role to patients.  
2. Perform comprehensive patient assessments and appropriate case selection by recognizing normal oral conditions, periodontal health, and indications or contraindications for approved preventive procedures.  
3. Demonstrate proper infection prevention protocols, ergonomic principles, and safe patient management practices throughout the delivery of preventive dental services.  
4. Apply appropriate hand and ultrasonic instrumentation techniques to safely remove supragingival plaque, calculus, and extrinsic stain while maintaining patient comfort and preserving tooth structure.  
5. Document patient assessments, treatment provided, and clinical findings accurately and completely in accordance with professional standards, legal requirements, and established clinical protocols.  
6. Demonstrate clinical competency by safely performing approved Oral Preventive Assistant procedures in simulation and supervised patient care settings while meeting established performance standards.  
7. Demonstrate competency in the knowledge, clinical skills, and professional behaviors required to successfully satisfy the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners' 120-hour Oral Preventive Assistant (OPA) training requirements for approved preventive procedures. 

Required & Recommended Readings
Can be purchased used. Not required to bring books to class.

Required Reading

Fundamentals of Periodontal Instrumentation and Advanced Root Instrumentation by Jill S. Gehrig, Rebecca Sroda, et al., Apr 23, 2025

Recommended Reading

Woelfel's Dental Anatomy, by Rickne C. Scheid, and Gabriela Weiss,  May 7, 2020

Fees

• Course Fee $2,500 per participant

Payment Methods

We accept the following credit cards: American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. 

Contact Ms. Clements at 623-572-3870 for additional payment options.

Consent Form

• Download the MWU CDMA Consent Form (required).
• Complete the form and email it to Martha Clements - mcleme@midwestern.edu.

OPA Course Registration

To register for this continuing education program, you may either:

1. Register online for the OPA continuing education course
2. Register by email
   1. Contact Ms. Clements for a registration form to fill out. Call 623-572-3870 or email mcleme@midwestern.edu.
   2. Email Ms. Clements the completed consent form.
   3. Please call 623-572-3870 if you have any questions.

Cancellations and Refunds

This program has a different Cancellations and Refunds policy compared to our standard lectures and workshops. Please read carefully.

Full tuition refunds less $250 are issued if the participant notifies the Dental CE Office in writing (email is acceptable) of their cancellation 4 weeks in advance of first day of class.

The Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Arizona Continuing Dental Education (MWUCDM-AZ CDE) office reserves the right to end registration when the enrollment limit is reached and to cancel, modify or alter content, faculty or location for any course if circumstances indicate such a change is advisable. If the MWUCDM-AZ CDE finds it necessary to cancel a course, a full refund will be issued. No travel expenses will be refunded to the registrant in the event of course cancellation or cancellation of any registration.

Coming soon!

Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine - Arizona designates this activity for 106 continuing education credits.

The Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine - Arizona is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and has been granted the accreditation status "approved without reporting requirements." CODA, which operates under the auspices of the American Dental Association, is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the national accrediting body for dental education programs at the postsecondary level.

For further information, please contact the American Dental Association, 211 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611; 800-621-8099. Or visit their website, ada.org/en/coda.

To review accreditation, approval, or licensing documentation, please contact the Dean's Office at 623-572-3800.