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Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach, 7th Edition

Vaishali Singhal, Melissa DeFiore, Karla Alvarez, Susan Kantz, Donna J. Phinney, CDA, MEd, Judy Halstead

  • Copyright 2026
  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Published', '2025-01-30T00:00:00+0000')}}
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Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach 7th Edition by Vaishali Singhal/Melissa DeFiore/Karla Alvarez/Susan Kantz/Donna J. Phinney, CDA, MEd/Judy Halstead
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Overview

Singhal/DeFiore/Alvarez/Kantz/Phinney/Halstead's DENTAL ASSISTING: A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH, 7th Edition, is a one-stop resource for dental assistants in training. This all-inclusive text and product suite for dental assisting programs is written to encompass CODA accreditation standards and DANB certification competencies. Thoroughly updated content covers basic and advanced clinical skills along with the latest information on key practices, procedures, equipment and patient and employee safety standards. Icons highlight topics related to infection control, safety and legal issues, while Patient Dialogue, Documentation and Profession Encounters features give students insights into real-world practice. Cengage’s online learning platform, MindTap, personalizes learning for students through multimedia and digital tools while equipping instructors with unrivaled support.

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Meet the Authors

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Vaishali Singhal

Vaishali Singhal is an associate professor at Rutgers University's School of Health Professions (SHP) and Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) in Newark, New Jersey. Teaching at the university since 2001, she serves as faculty of the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Program at SHP as well as course director for Practice Management and Ethics and Jurisprudence at RSDM. At the faculty practice of RSDM, Dr. Singhal specializes in treating patients with serious mental illness. In 2019, she completed her doctoral thesis at SHP, evaluating ways to improve the oral health of patients with serious mental illness. She completed a Master of Science in health sciences at Rutgers University in 2011 and received her DMD from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in 1993. Her Ph.D. and M.S. programs included specialized courses in education, which is Dr. Singhal's passion. Dr. Singhal’s research focuses on ways to improve the oral health of the population with serous mental illness. She has received grant funding towards her research.

Melissa DeFiore

Melissa DeFiore began her career as a dental assistant at a young age. Her love of dentistry motivated her to return to school and pursue dental hygiene. Upon graduation, she immediately returned to school to pursue her second love -- education. She began her education career at Rutgers School of Health Professions as an adjunct in the department of Allied Dental Education, where she taught both clinical and didactic courses. During that time she sought out her CDA. After the program closed, she went on to teach in the dental hygiene program for Burlington County College in New Jersey. Currently, Mrs. DeFiore is an assistant professor for the dental hygiene program at Community College of Philadelphia, where she serves as clinic coordinator for second-year students and teaches radiology and a preclinical course to first-year students. She has practiced dental hygiene since 2003, with experience in periodontal, pediatric and general dentistry. A former president of CNJDHA, she holds memberships in the ADHA and the ADEA. She continues to practice as a clinical dental hygienist for a private practice in New Jersey. Mrs. DeFiore completed her associate degree in applied science in dental hygiene at Middlesex County College in New Jersey, her BSHS -- an education track at UMDNJ (now part of Rutgers University) -- and her MSDH with an education concentration at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut.

Karla Alvarez

Karla Alvarez is an accomplished dental professional at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) in Newark, NJ, and a current member of the ADAA. As an Expanded Duty Dental Assistant, she trains students in digital scanning. Karla has a strong background in pediatrics, specializing in oral sedations, pulpotomies, extractions and fillings. Her training includes experience across various specialty departments. Karla's expertise extends to the Oral Surgery Department, where she excels in assisting with IV sedations and extractions. Her dedication to excellence in patient care and education makes her a valuable asset to the dental community.

Susan Kantz

Susan Kantz was a dental assisting program director for a private college and a high school career center. She was also an active HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) local advisor, with her students consistently placed in the top 10, and often in the top 3, at the National HOSA Leadership Conference. Dedicated to helping each student achieve their greatest potential, Ms. Kantz received both Teacher of the Year and Indiana HOSA Advisor of the Year honors. Prior to teaching, she worked as an EFDA in private practice at Indiana University School of Dentistry and Riley Children's Hospital Dental Clinic. She was the curriculum developer for the Indianapolis Public Schools Health Professions Center and a member of the Indiana Department of Education cadre that taught writing duties/task lists and articulation agreements to vocational instructors throughout the state. After retirement, Ms. Kantz worked as a dental assisting/dental hygiene adjunct instructor at Ivy Tech Community College. She completed her dental assisting and expanded dental assistant program at Indiana University School of Dentistry, earned an M.S. in allied health education from Indiana University and attended Indiana Wesleyan University Education Leadership Program.

Donna J. Phinney, CDA, MEd

Donna Phinney was a Certified Dental Assistant and program director for the Dental Assisting Program at Spokane Community College. She devoted her 20-year career to the dental field as a dental assistant and office manager, and later to consulting and teaching. Ms. Phinney was a fellow of the American Dental Assistants Association, where she served as a consultant and an appointed commissioner as well as an active member of the Washington State Dental Assisting Association. She earned her BA from Eastern Washington University and MEd from Whitworth College.

Judy Halstead

Judy Halstead, CDA, is the former Dental Assisting Program Director for a private college and a high school skills center. Now retired, she spent more than 30 years working as a dental assistant and an enthusiastic industry representative. As a president of the Washington Dental Assistant Association, Ms. Halstead often delivered lectures and workshops at local, state and regional dental conferences as well as served as an industry consultant. She earned a BA from Eastern Washington University and is a Certified Dental Assistant with an Expanded Functions certificate.

What's New

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  • The revised radiology section is now divided into six new chapters to enhance the student's experience, including Infection Control for Dental Radiology and Radiographic Interpretation.
  • The improved user experience with Dental Assisting Certification Exam Preparation provides seamless customization, exam creation and improved grade reporting.
  • MindTap online learning platform has been updated! Revisions throughout this edition's digital resources reflect functionality enhancements, customization improvements and assessment updates.
  • The text includes enhancements of DEI through the text with an increased focus on digital techniques.

Features

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  • Updated assets include chapter terms, patient dialogue scenarios, documentation, professional encounters, icons, review practice and recapped points.

Table of Contents

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The Language of Dentistry.
1. Introduction to the Dental Profession.
2. Psychology, Communication, and Multicultural Interaction.
3. Ethics, Jurisprudence, and Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
4. General Anatomy and Physiology.
5. Head and Neck Anatomy.
6. Landmarks of the Face and Oral Cavity.
7. Embryology and Histology.
8. Dental Anatomy.
9. Oral Pathology.
10. Microbiology.
11. Infection Control.
12. Management of Hazardous Materials.
13. The Special Needs and Medically Compromised Patient.
14. Pharmacology.
15. Medical Emergencies.
16. Oral Health and Preventive Techniques.
17. Nutrition.
18. The Dental Office.
19. Dental Instruments and Tray Systems.
20. Ergonomics and Instrument Transfer.
21. Moisture Control.
22. New Patient Examination.
23. Anesthesia and Sedation.
24. Dental Prophylaxis and Recare Appointment.
25. Coronal Polishing and Fluoride Application.
26. Dental Sealants.
27. Introduction to Dental Radiography, Radiographic Equipment, and Radiation Safety.
28. Production and Evaluation of Dental Radiographs.
29. Infection Control for Dental Radiology.
30. Paralleling Technique Exposures.
31. Bisecting Technique Exposures.
32. Supplemental and Special Radiographic Exposures.
33. Processing, Evaluating and Mounting Radiographs.
34. Digital Radiography and Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT).
35. Radiographic Interpretation.
36. Dental Emergency Procedures and Dental Cements.
37. Amalgam Procedures and Materials.
38. Composite Procedures and Materials.
39. Dental Laboratory Materials.
40. Pediatric Dentistry.
41. Orthodontics.
42. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
43. Endodontics.
44. Periodontics.
45. Dental Implants.
46. Fixed Prosthodontics.
47. Computerized Impression and Restorative Systems.
48. Removable Prosthodontics.
49. Cosmeticdentistry and Teeth Whitening.
50. Dental Practice Management.
51. Career Planning.

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Each MindTap product offers the full, mobile-ready textbook combined with superior and proven learning tools at one affordable price. Students who purchase digital access can add a print option at any time when a print option is available for their course.

This Cengage solution can be seamlessly integrated into most Learning Management Systems (Blackboard, Brightspace by D2L, Canvas, Moodle, and more) but does require a different ISBN for access codes. Please work with your Cengage Learning Consultant to ensure the proper course set up and ordering information. For additional information, please visit the LMS Integration site.

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  • ISBN-10: 8214483379
  • ISBN-13: 9798214483375
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  • ISBN-10: 8214113938
  • ISBN-13: 9798214113937
  • RETAIL $79.95

  • ISBN-10: 8214113857
  • ISBN-13: 9798214113852
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Supplements

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Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

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ISBN: 9798214483375
International MindTap Instant Access for Singhal/DeFiore/Alvarez/Kantz’s Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach, is the digital learning solution that powers students from memorization to mastery. It gives you complete control of your course--to provide engaging content, to challenge every individual, and to build their confidence. Empower students to accelerate their progress with MindTap. MindTap: Powered by You. MindTap gives you complete ownership of your content and learning experience. Customize the interactive syllabi, emphasize the most important topics, and add your own material or notes in the eBook. All online text media materials accessible through this access code are available in EMEA, Latin America, Asia, and India only.