DENTAL ASSISTING
This program is designed for the person who enjoys the challenge and responsibility of assisting dentists in their offices or other health care settings and wants the academic knowledge and clinical skills to be able to do so. Dental assistants are involved in a large number of activities in the dental field. The graduate might be in charge of preparing instrument trays, instructing patients on proper oral hygiene and post treatment care, maintaining practice records and supplies, and assisting in chair side procedures. Alternately, a graduate could opt to be more involved in the business office functions, or assist in dental lab activities. The field is intended for the individual who has the ability, desire, and pride to support the essential health care responsibilities delegated by the dentist.
OBJECTIVE: To qualify, the graduate must obtain employment at the entry level as a dental assistant in a dentists office, clinic, or other medical setting. The program provides the graduate with the opportunity to advance within this occupation through practicing the skills learned. To achieve these objectives, Allied Health Careers stresses academic performance, attendance, and a professional attitude.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
DA 100 Tooth Morphology and Terminology
(Theory Hours 25, Lab Hours 18, and Total Credit Hours 2)
This course introduces students to the anatomy of the head and neck. Students will learn about natural dentition, oral cavity anatomy and tooth structure. Upon completion of this course, students ill recognize and use basic dental terminology.
Prerequisite – None
DA 101 Communication and Behavior in the Dental Office
(Theory Hours 22, Lab Hours 18, and Total Credit Hours 2)
This course is designed to provide a better understanding of human interaction in the dental office. Students will study motivation and learning experiences as related to the dental assistant and practical applications of human behavior. Emphasis will be placed on behavior modification and how it can be used to reduce patient anxiety in the dental office.
Prerequisite – None
DA 102 Preventive Dentistry
(Theory Hours 24.5, Lab Hours 17.5, and Total Credit Hours 2)
This course introduces students to the study and prevention of dental disease. Students will study fluoridation; nutrition and nutrition counseling; and will demonstrate using visual aids; while instructing dental patients on proper oral hygiene.
Prerequisite – None
DA 103 Dental Radiology
(Theory Hours 25, Lab Hours 18, and Total Credit Hours 2.5)
This course focuses on the history of radiation, radiation protection, the parts and functions of X -ray units, the types and care of X-ray film, X-ray mounting, angulation, film placement, and film critique. Specific safety and universal precautions for the radiology lab will be practiced.
Prerequisite – None
DA 104 Dental Intra-Oral Techniques
(Theory Hours 24.5, Lab Hours 17.5, and Total Credit Hours 2)
This course focuses on the preparation for clinical dental radiology. Theoretical aspects of intra-oral radiography, darkroom procedure, darkroom evaluation, film mounting, and evaluation of techniques and processing errors are discussed. Additionally, students are introduced to dental operatory equipment, dental instruments, instrument transfer, oral evacuation, and the dental examination.
Prerequisite – None
DA 105 Dental Insurance
(Theory Hours 22, Lab Hours 18, and Total Credit Hours 2)
Students will learn to bill, code and process dental insurance paperwork. Accuracy and efficiency are emphasized.
Prerequisite – None
DA 106 Introduction to Dental Science
(Theory Hours 22, Lab Hours 18, Total Credit Hours 2)
This course introduces the student to the various sciences and specialties that are required for the operation of a dental practice including disease transmission and oral pathology. Topics include the physiology of the deciduous and the permanent teeth along with basic dental terminology. Students will be able to discuss the physiology of the deciduous and the permanent teeth and use and define basic dental terminology.
Prerequisite – None
DA 107 Chairside Assisting
(Theory Hours 19, Lab Hours 23, Total Credit Hours 2)
This course is an introduction to pre-clinical chairs aide assisting procedures, instrumentation, infection and hazard control protocol, equipment safety, and maintenance.
Prerequisite – None
DA 108 Dental Laboratory Procedures
(Theory Hours 25, Lab Hours 18, Total Credit Hours 2)
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills associated with chairside assisting: dental cements, amalgam restoration, principles of cavity preparations, restorative instrumentation and materials, and assembly and placement of the tofflemire and matrices.
Prerequisite – none
DA 110 Microbiology for Dental Assistants
(Theory hours 22, Lab Hours 18, Total Credit Hours 2)
This course focuses on the study of microbiology principles including bacteria and infections. Topics include the growth of microorganisms; normal flora and infectious disease agents; the control of infectious agents in the dental office; the basic principles of microbial destruction; and the importance of sanitation and asepsis in the dental office.
Prerequisite – none
DA 111 Special Topics in Dentistry: Orthodontics, Pediatrics, Oral Surgery, and Endodontics
(Theory Hours 25, Lab Hours 18, Total Credit Hours 2.5)
This course focuses on recently identified current events, skills, and knowledge pertinent to orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, and endodontics and their relevancy to the professional development of the dental assistant.
Prerequisite – none
DA 112 Dental Assisting Applications
(Theory Hours 37, Lab Hours 5, Total Credit Hours 3)
This course is an in-depth study of dental assisting techniques with emphasis on four-handed and six-handed dentistry; utilization of tray setups for specific general practice; rubber dam armamentarium placement and removal, vital signs, cardiopulmonary resuscitation; first aid; and coronal polishing techniques.
Prerequisite – none
DA 114 Financial Management in the Dental Office
(Theory Hours 37, Lab Hours 5, Total Credit Hours 3.5)
This course introduces students to the dental office financial procedures of banking, collections, billing, credit arrangements and bookkeeping.
Prerequisite – none
DA 115 Health Information Management
(Theory Hours 24, Lab Hours 19, Total Credit Hours 2)
This course introduces students to the effective management of patient medical records and health information in a dental office. Students will earn to create patient medical records, add documentation to them, and to accurately file patient records.
Prerequisite – None
DA 116 Correspondence and Mail Processing
(Theory Hours 10, Lab Hours 30, Total Credit Hours 1)
This course introduces students to the written communication skills needed to deal effectively with patients as well as with other health care professionals and suppliers. Efficient and accurate mail processing techniques are also discussed. Hands-on work with computer application programs for keying technical reports and transcription in included.
Prerequisite – None
DA 117 Dental Office Practice
(Theory Hours 24, Lab Hours 19, Total Credit Hours 2)
This course introduces the student to dental office procedures. Students will learn effective telephone techniques, appointment scheduling, abbreviations, office procedures and, office teamwork.
Prerequisite – None
DA 500 Dental Externship
(Externship Hours 160, Total Credit Hours 5)
During their externship, students will have the opportunity to practice the skills they have gained during their classroom training. They will refine their customer service skills; assist the dentist during dental procedures; use dental office management software and word processing software to organize office procedures and key reports; and develop an effective career success strategy.
All classes must be completed prior to enrollment.
DL 108 Dental Laboratory Procedures Lab
(Theory hours 19, Lab hours 23, Total Credit Hours 2)
This course is designed for students to perfect the skills learned in Dental Laboratory Procedures. Students are required to perform these skills for their instructor prior to completing the course.
Must be taken concurrently with DA 108
DL 112 Dental Assisting Applications Lab
(Theory Hours 10, Lab hours 30, Total Credit Hours 1)
This course is designed for students to perfect the skills learned in Dental Assisting Applications. Students are required to perform these skills for their instructor prior to completing the course.
Must be taken concurrently with DA 112
