Dental Assistant Course Descriptions

DENTL 100: Orientation to Dental Assisting

Introduction to the field of dentistry, covering the roles of the dental team, legal and ethical considerations, and various dental specialties. It emphasizes preventive dentistry, bloodborne pathogens, and the importance of HIPAA in the dental office. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent enrollment in AHE 116. Crosslisted as: n/a.

Course Level Objectives

DENTL 101: Chairside Assisting

Preclinical instruction in chairside dental assisting. Covers ergonomics, dental equipment, instrument identification, tray setups, and patient data collection. Introduces preventive dentistry and vital signs proficiency, emphasizing four-handed dentistry and patient management.

Course Level Objectives

DENTL 103: Infection Prevention and Control

Infection control and proper sterilization procedures in the dental office. Students will apply the principles and techniques of disinfection, instrument processing, and sterilization.

Course Level Objectives

1. Explain the concepts of how microorganisms cause diseases including types and stages of infections and the function of the immune system in relation to breaking the chain of disease transmission.
2. Explain the components of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogen Standard and manage infection and hazard control protocols in accordance with professional guidelines for dental practice.
3. Explain and demonstrate the principles and techniques of disinfection and instrument processing and sterilization according to specified guidelines.
4. Demonstrate proper handling of chemical and biohazardous waste in the dental setting.

DENTL 105: Dental Sciences I

Covers oral and dental structures, head and neck anatomy, oral embryology and histology, and the relationship of oral and dental anatomy to dental procedures and treatment. Includes anatomy and morphology of teeth, the eruption sequence and process; normal occlusion, development, and class of malocclusions. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent enrollment in AHE 110.

Course Level Objectives

1. Utilize dental anatomical terms to identify head and neck structures and their relationship and function in dentistry.
2. Differentiate between normal and variation of normalcy in the appearance and development of oral and dental structures.
3. Identify intraoral landmarks to properly place topical anesthetic and desensitizing agents.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of tooth numbering systems, eruption sequences, and tooth shape, types, names, and functions.
5. List the fundamental concepts in head and neck manipulation, occlusal record and orthodontic diagnosis.

DENTL 106: Dental Sciences II

Oral pathology and disease processes, pharmacology, and therapeutics. Includes techniques for taking and reading vital signs. Emphasizes recognition, prevention, and management of medical emergency situations in the dental office. Covers completing and updating patient health history. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent enrollment in DENTL 105.

Course Level Objectives

1. Compare and contrast characteristics of healthy oral tissue with pathological conditions of the oral cavity.
2. Differentiate developmental disorders and anomalies of the teeth and surrounding tissues.
3. Recognize common medical conditions which could lead to an emergency in the dental setting.
4. Apply knowledge of pharmacology in dentistry, including indications and contraindications, common drugs used, and the effects of drug addiction on teeth and supporting structures.
5. Identify patients with special needs including patients whose medical, physical, psychological, or social conditions make it necessary to modify normal dental routines.

DENTL 110: Dental Radiography

Theory and techniques of exposing intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs on adults, children, edentulous adults, and special needs patients. Covers dental anatomy, radiographic interpretation and aseptic techniques. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent enrollment in DENTL 105. Corequisite(s): DENTL 111.

Course Level Objectives

1. Identify the properties of radiation, explain the biological effects of radiation exposure and illustrate the safety precautions to be utilized when using radiation.
2. Identify the components of a dental x-ray unit and explain the function of each component.
3. Describe the different types of x-ray images performed in the dental setting and their purpose in diagnosis and treatment.
4. Identify normal anatomic landmarks and normal tooth anatomy on dental radiographs.
5. Identify dental caries, periodontal disease, trauma, and pulpal and periapical lesions on radiographs.
6. List the step-by-step procedures for patient preparation, equipment preparation, exposure sequence, and film placement for the various types of radiographs including but not limited to: bite-wing technique, panoramic radiography, and various extra-oral radiographic projections.
7. Describe common errors in technique and exposure for the various types of images and state the corrections required for each error.

DENTL 111: Dental Radiography Lab

Practical application of radiography principles, obtaining and processing of radiographic images on dental manikins. Corequisite(s): DENTL 110.

Course Level Objectives

1. Demonstrate the use of the correct settings for impulses, milliamperes, and kilovolt peak in radiography.
2. Differentiate between bitewing and periapical images and mount full mouth surveys correctly.
3. Expose Full Mouth Series (FMS) and Bitewings (BWXs) images on manikins and live patients, using digital technology in a safe and effective manner.
4. Chart and document according to industry standards.
5. Assess the diagnostic quality of images taken, identify errors if present and retake if necessary.

DENTL 113: Dental Materials/Lab Procedures I

Introduces dental materials and techniques for laboratory, and clinical applications. Laboratory practice in tooth isolation techniques (rubber dam, matrix bands), tooth polishing, fluoride application, placement of topical anesthetics and desensitizing agents. Prerequisite(s): DENTL 105

Course Level Objectives

DENTL 114: Dental Materials/Lab Procedures II

Covers intermediate concepts of dental materials. Includes laboratory practice with the processes and materials used during the construction of fixed and removable prosthesis. Introduces dental materials used in various dental specialties. Prerequisite(s): Completion of DENTL 113.

Course Level Objectives

1. Demonstrate the proper use, manipulation, application, and clean-up procedures for dental materials used in prosthodontics and various dental specialties in anticipation of transferring skills while assisting chairside.
2. Perform, at an intermediate level, dental material laboratory duties while demonstrating professionalism, safety, and asepsis techniques.
3. Fabricate Bleaching Trays; Mouth Protectors; Gypsum Model.
4. Perform cleaning and maintenance of laboratory equipment as required.

DENTL 115: Dental Office Administration

Role of the dental assistant in front office administration. Includes appointment scheduling, management of patient records, filing systems and processing dental insurance claims. Dental office computer software for both financial and patient records will also be covered. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent enrollment in DENTL 100.

Course Level Objectives

1. Demonstrate entering new patients, scheduling of patients, insurance completion, recall and accounts receivable utilizing industry standard software.
2. Demonstrate proper completion of paper and electronic business office forms.
3. Describe the dental office's inventory control system and explain how the recall system works in dentistry.
4. List the duties and responsibilities of a dental assistant as a business administrator relative to secretarial duties, records management, bookkeeping, accounts payable, payment plans, and collections.

DENTL 120: Dental Assisting Externship

Clinical experiences in chairside dental assisting procedures commonly performed in a general dental office including radiology procedures and work with materials and impressions. Students will assist dentists in accomplishing necessary dental procedures for patients while rotating through the clinical areas to obtain maximum clinical exposures and experiences. Students will be supervised and evaluated by on site clinical staff and clinical faculty. Prerequisite(s): Completion of DENTL 100, DENTL 101, DENTL 103, DENTL 105, DENTL 106, DENTL 110, DENTL 111, and DENTL 114 or instructor permission is required to take this course.

Course Level Objectives

1. Perform basic clinical duties as taught in the dental assisting program.
2. Demonstrate the ability to apply four-handed dentistry techniques in all aspects of dentistry.
3. Collaborate and communicate effectively with other members of the dental team to deliver high quality, safe and empathetic oral care services that meet individual client needs.
4. Demonstrate effective communication styles and sensitivity to client needs in receiving treatment.