Dental Assisting Course Descriptions
DA110
Basic Body Systems and Functions
Coursework will include an introduction to the terminology and functions of body systems. Instruction will include specific terms relative to general anatomy and physiology of the human body, including systems, planes, cavities, and basic units. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): None
DA111
Orientation to Dental Assisting
This course will address the history of dentistry. Instruction will be provided in the skills performed by members of the dental team, as well as the educational requirements and professional organizations that represent each of the dental professions. Instruction will also include how to prepare a patient for care, including recording patient information and recording vital signs. Coursework will include an introduction to the law as it pertains to the dentistry field. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): None
DA120
Oral Anatomy
In this course, instruction will be provided in the location, structures, and functions of head and neck anatomy, including bones of the head and face, musculature, innervation, and the circulatory system. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): None
DA121
Oral Radiology Basics
In this course, instruction will be provided in the history and biological effects of radiation, safety precautions, components of the dental x-ray unit, and their function. This course is designed to explain how x-rays are produced and to describe the composition, sizes, types, and storage requirements of dental x-ray film. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): None
DA130
Chairside Assisting I
In this course, instruction will address dental office design and working environment, and how to perform four-handed dental procedures. Instruction will also address the requirements for special needs patients, instrument grasps and transfer. The scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry and periodontics will be covered. Students will also receive instruction on how to identify the equipment used and procedures of oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and periodontics. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): DA110, DA111, DA120, DA121
DA131
Dental Office Emergencies
In this course, instruction will include how to prepare for and deal with common medical and dental emergencies, and be familiar with the necessary contents of an office emergency kit. Instruction will also address procedures for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), treating patients with syncope, anaphylaxis, asthma attacks, heart conditions, cerebrovascular accident, and common dental emergencies. Students must pass the CPR exam and practicum to pass this course. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): DA110, DA111, DA120, DA121
DA140
Dental Science I
In this course, instruction will include information about the helpful and harmful microorganisms affecting humans.
Instruction will also address methods and instruments used to study microorganisms. The importance of prevention of oral disease and treatment of periodontal disease as well as infection control standards, including requirements of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, hazardous materials handling, labeling, inventory, housekeeping, laundry, and disposal of hazardous materials will be covered. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): DA110, DA111, DA120, DA121
DA141
Dental Materials I
In this course, instruction will address the parts of dental hand instruments, categories and uses, functions of dental burs, abrasives, dental handpieces, and the importance and function of instrument tray systems and color coding. This course will provide instruction in the types of restorative materials and cements used in general dentistry, the standards and organizations responsible for those standards, the role of the dental assistant in chairside restorative procedures, and the properties of dental materials. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): DA110, DA111, DA120, DA121
DA150
Career Development
This course will concentrate on developing habits of personal success. Emphasis will be placed on assessing qualifications, developing a job search network, preparing resumes, cover letters, and applications, and successful interviewing strategies and follow up. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): DA110, DA111, DA120, DA121
DA151
Office Applications
This course will provide instruction in the overall aspects of dental office management, including patient reception, marketing, telephone technique, business office systems, patient scheduling, records managements, accounts receivable, management of patients’ accounts, accounts payable, inventory control, and recall systems management. This course will also provide instruction in the importance of accurate charting and interpretation for diagnosis, consultation, and financial and billing purposes. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): DA110, DA111, DA120, DA121
DA152
Computer Applications
This course will provide instruction in the overall aspects of computerized business office systems pertaining to a dental office. Patient scheduling, records management, accounts receivable, management of patient accounts, and accounts payable will be emphasized. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): DA110, DA111, DA120, DA121
DA160
Dental Science II
This course will provide instruction in the structure and forms of human teeth, and their location in the mouth as well as the eruption schedule and function of each tooth in the primary and permanent dentition and related terminology. This course will also provide instruction in the process of inflammation, identification of oral lesions, oral diseases and related biological, physical, and chemical agents, as well as hormonal, developmental, and nutritional disturbances. Students will be instructed in basic pharmacology and drugs associated with treating diseases, their use in dentistry, related terms, parts of a prescription, and types of anesthetics. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): DA110, DA111, DA120 DA121, DA130, DA131, DA140, DA141, DA150, DA151, DA152
DA161
Dental Materials II
This course will provide instruction in the scope and use of removable and fixed prosthodontics. This course will also provide instruction in the steps in diagnosis and materials required in treatment, the importance of a consultation appointment, the advantages and disadvantages of partial and full dentures, the steps required in denture polishing, relining and repair, and the function of an overdenture. Instruction will include the definition of an endodontist and how endodontics relates to the dental practice. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): DA110, DA111, DA120 DA121, DA130, DA131, DA140, DA141, DA150, DA151, DA152
DA170
Chairside Assisting II
This course will provide instruction in a variety of expanded dental functions, many of which are specifically listed as allowable under individual state dental practice acts. Aspects addressed in the section include preparation, application, and removal of a dental dam; placement, application, and removal of a dental matrix and wedge; rationale and procedure for coronal polish; preparation, manipulation, and placement of dental cavity liners, cavity varnish and cements, suture removal and postoperative patient care following oral surgical procedures; placement and removal of gingival retraction devices; preparation and application of enamel sealant material, benefits and types of dental bleaching materials, application techniques, and patient education instructions. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): DA110, DA111, DA120 DA121, DA130, DA131, DA140, DA141, DA150, DA151, DA152
DA171
Clinical Oral Radiology
In this course, students will be instructed in how to expose and process diagnostically acceptable intraoral and extraoral dental films, using both the paralleling and bisecting techniques, common production errors, processing techniques, mounting procedures, identification of radiographic landmarks, the procedures and state policies required for dental offices to ensure quality radiographs, and the use of imaging systems for dental purposes. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): DA110, DA111, DA120 DA121, DA130, DA131, DA140, DA141, DA150, DA151, DA152
DA180
Externship
Upon successful completion of all other courses in the Dental Assisting Program, students will be eligible to participate in a 160-hour clinical externship. The clinical externship will enable students to work in the clinic applying the principles and practices learned in the classroom. Externs will work under the direct supervision of dentists and qualified personnel at participating sites. Students must successfully complete their externship to fulfill the necessary requirements for graduation. Students who apply themselves should learn these job skills or knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): DA110, DA111, DA120 DA121, DA130, DA131, DA140, DA141, DA150, DA151, DA152, DA160, DA161, DA170, DA171