Dental Assisting

This course explores fundamental concepts related to dental assisting and provides a comprehensive introduction into the field of dental sciences. Areas of emphasis include: job description and work environment, the dental team, dental procedures and patient care, dental specialties, environmental hazards, operatory equipment and furniture, and patient populations.

This course introduces basic dental sciences and related foundational concepts for dental practice and patient care. Topics include etiology and treatment of oral disease, the disease process, patient assessment, and delivery of dental care.

In this course, students will explore anatomy, physiology, histology, and pathophysiology related to the head, neck, and oral cavity.

This course focuses on radiation physics, biology, and safety. Topics include recognition of anatomical landmarks, evidence of pathology, radiographic techniques, image quality, mounting, and film processing.

Building on DAST 102, this course introduces students to patient care and assisting during dental procedures, including coronal polishing, moisture control, isolation methods, oral illumination techniques, fluoride application, and anesthesia preparation.

This course explores infection control and prevention in the dental setting, including asepsis and sterile technique, methods of disinfection and sterilization, Spaulding classification for medical devices, and standards for medical device handling.

This course accompanies DAST 101 and provides students an opportunity to learn and practice skills related to fundamental concepts related to dental assisting. Areas of emphasis include: dental procedures and patient care, patient records, dental specialties, environmental hazards, ergonomics, dental equipment, instrumentation, and supplies.

This course accompanies DAST 102 and provides students an opportunity to apply principles of basic dental sciences to oral procedures. Areas of emphasis include: patient assessment, operatory equipment setup and use, application of dental instrumentation, oral examinations, medical emergency interventions, and patient nutritional counseling.

This course accompanies DAST 104 and provides students an opportunity to apply concepts of radiographic imaging to dental patient care. Students perform radiographic film placement and proper exposure techniques.

This course accompanies DAST 105 and provides students an opportunity to practice skills related to dental assisting during patient care procedures, including coronal polishing, moisture control, isolation methods, oral illumination techniques, fluoride application, and anesthesia preparation.

This course explores the role of the dental assistant in general dentistry, including dental materials, restorative techniques, permanent and interim restoration, and pharmacologic practices.

This course explores the role of the dental assistant in dental specialties, endodontics, prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, orthodontics, and periodontics.

This course explores the role of the dental assistant within the dental office, including records management, patient recalls, dental insurance, financial management, patient privacy standards, regulatory documentation, inventory management, professional leadership attributes, and interviewing skills.

This course provides an understanding of ethical and legal concepts related to the practice of dental assisting, including: ethical dilemmas, organizational and professional issues, legal concepts, the law as related to the decision-making process in the dental setting, and the professional code of ethics.

This course accompanies DAST 201 and provides students an opportunity to apply principles of general dentistry within the role of the dental assistant, including dental materials, restorative techniques, permanent and interim restoration, and four-handed dentistry.

This course accompanies DAST 202 and provides students an opportunity to practice dental assisting skill within the dental specialties, including endodontics, prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, orthodontics, and periodontics.

This course provides exposure to diverse chair-side clinical experiences within the dental clinic setting. Students perform assigned dental assistant duties under the supervision of facility personnel, clinical preceptors, licensed dentists, and clinical college faculty in accordance with patient safety standards and industry best practices.