Home » Courses of Instruction » Dental Assistant Course Descriptions

DA 100–Infection Control—10.5 Clock Hours/0.5 Quarter Credit Hours
Prerequisites: None
This course is a prerequisite to beginning the dental assisting program. The course contains four (4) hours of didactic and four (4) hours of practical application to explain the basic dental science and microbiology related to infection control in dentistry.

The course explains the legal and ethical aspects of infection control procedures. The board’s regulations specify terms and protocols regarding the minimum standards for infection control. Describe the principles of modes of disease transmission and prevention.

Principles, techniques, hand hygiene protocols, personal protective equipment, surface barriers and disinfection, sterilization, sanitation, and hazardous chemicals associated with infection control are covered. Explain the principles and protocols of sterilizer monitoring and the proper loading, unloading, storage, and transportation of instruments to the work area. Describe and demonstrate the principles and protocols for sharps management, waterline maintenance, and infection control for laboratory areas.

DA 200–Fundamentals of Dental Assisting, 6.0 Quarter Credit Hours
Prerequisites: None
This covers an overview of the dental profession, healthcare teams, the history of dentistry through the ages, and a dental professional’s legal and ethical responsibilities. Students will learn about the landmarks of the face and oral cavity, tooth numbering, patterns of eruption, and the functions of the dental arch and teeth in the opposing arch.

Students will classify dental caries as an infectious disease and name the types of bacteria that cause caries. The student will be able to identify systemic factors that may cause periodontal disease, describe the two basic types of periodontal disease, and explain the significance of plaque and calculus in periodontal disease.

DA 201–Sciences of Dentistry/Infection Prevention—126 Clock Hours/6 Quarter Credit Hours
Prerequisites: None
This course instructs on head and neck anatomy’s location, structures, and functions, including bones of the skull and face, musculature, innervations, and the circulatory system. Coursework includes an introduction to the terminology and functions of body systems.

Students will be able to describe specific terms relative to the general anatomy and physiology of the human body, including systems, planes, cavities, basic units, and microorganisms affecting humans. The students will be able to describe the importance of oral disease prevention, periodontal disease treatment, and infection control standards. This includes the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requirements, hazardous materials handling, labeling, inventory, housekeeping, laundry, and disposal of hazardous materials will be covered.

This course also provides instruction on inflammation, identification of oral lesions, oral diseases, related biological, physical, and chemical agents, and 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.

DA 202–Foundations of Clinical Dentistry—126 Clock Hours/6 Quarter Credit Hours
Prerequisites: None
This course addresses the parts of dental hand instruments, the categories of uses and functions of dental burs, abrasives, and dental handpieces, and the importance and function of instrument tray systems and color coding. This course teaches the types of restorative materials and cement used in general dentistry. The student will describe the dental assistant’s role in chairside therapeutic procedures and the properties of dental materials.

DA 203–Dental Materials/Coronal Polishing–126 Clock Hours/6 Quarter Credit Hours
Prerequisites: None
This course provides instruction regarding various expanded dental functions. Students prepare, apply, and remove a dental dam, matrix, and wedge. Students prepare, manipulate, and place dental cavity liners, cavity varnish, and cement types.

The student will suture removal and postoperative patient care following oral surgical procedures. The student will describe the placement and removal of gingival retraction devices, the preparation and application of enamel sealant material, benefits, dental bleaching materials types, application techniques, and patient education instructions.

DA 204–Radiology Safety/Administrative—126 Clock Hours/6 Quarter Credit Hours
Prerequisites: None
This course teaches radiation history, biological effects, safety precautions, dental x-ray unit components, and function. X-ray study explains how X-rays are produced, and students describe the composition, sizes, types, and storage requirements of dental X-ray film. Students will be instructed to expose and process diagnostically acceptable intraoral and extraoral dental films using 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 using imaging systems for dental purposes are covered. Students will study the overall aspects of dental office management, including patient reception, marketing, telephone technique, business office systems, patient scheduling, records management, accounts receivable, management of patients’ accounts, accounts payable, inventory control, and recall systems management.

The student will describe the importance of accurate charting and interpretation for diagnosis, consultation, and financial and billing purposes. Computerized business office systems for the dental office are explored for patient scheduling, records management, patient accounts, and accounts payable. Students develop self-awareness and the importance of communication skills.

Emphasis will be placed on assessing professional qualifications, including developing a job search network, interview strategies, and interview follow-up. Students will create resumes and cover letters and review the application completion process.

DA 205–Dental Specialties/Patient Assessment—126 Clock Hours/6 Quarter Credit Hours
Prerequisites: None
This course addresses dental office design, working environment, the performance of four-handed dental procedures, instrument grasp, and transfer requirements for special needs patients. The scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and periodontics will be covered. Students will also learn to identify the equipment used for oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and periodontal practice.

Instruction includes preparation for common medical and dental emergencies, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, syncope treatment, anaphylaxis, asthma attacks, heart conditions, cerebrovascular accidents, and common dental emergencies. Students are required to pass CPR certification during this course.

Students will be able to provide patient instruction in the use of removable and fixed prosthodontics, including diagnostic steps, materials required for treatment, the importance of a consultation appointment, the advantages and disadvantages of partial and full dentures, the necessary steps in denture polishing, relining and repair, and the function of an overdenture. The definition of an endodontist and how endodontics relates to dental practice are also included.

DA 300–Clinical Externship—180 Clock Hours/6 Quarter Credit Hours
Prerequisites: None
A clinical externship is an eight (8) week course that includes student placement in a facility that performs various skills. The student will be required to complete 20-30 hours a week. The externship provides exposure to hands-on practice. The externship allows students to apply theory concepts to assist the dental staff with daily duties in the front and back office under staff supervision. This experience marks the transition from being a student to becoming a Dental Assistant.

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