Course Descriptions

Dental Assistant, TC

DAS 102 Fundamentals in Dental Assisting I 3 Cr Hrs

Introduces the profession of dental assisting, which includes educational requirements, functions and credentials of dental health team members, ethics and legal aspects of dentistry, dental terminology, basic dental business office skills and communication skills. Prerequisite: Admission to Dental Assistant program.

DAS 107 Anatomy for Dental Assistants 1 Cr Hr

Covers basic structures and functions of human body systems with emphasis on the head and neck. The primary and permanent teeth are studied in detail with respect to macroscopic anatomy, development, eruption, positional and occlusal relationships. Includes tooth drawing and placement of restorations in mannequin teeth. Prerequisite: Admission to Dental Assistant program.

DAS 108 Dental Health Education 2 Cr Hrs

Covers basic study of nutrition and diet and their relationship to oral health with emphasis on dental health education, the philosophy of preventive dentistry, personal oral hygiene and dental disease. Basic skills of oral hygiene instruction, fluoride treatments and coronal polishing of the teeth are implemented. Prerequisites: Admission to Dental Assistant program and concurrent registration in DAS 112 Dental Materials I and DAS 115 Chairside Assisting I.

DAS 111 Fundamentals in Dental Assisting II 2 Cr Hrs

Covers dental terminology and spelling; dental charting; introductory business office procedures, including greeting and receiving patients, telephone techniques, filing and patient record management, appointment scheduling and recall. Prerequisite: Completion of DAS 102 Fundamentals in Dental Assisting.

DAS 112 Dental Materials I 3 Cr Hrs

Covers identification of materials used in general dentistry; physical and chemical properties, functions and classifications. Includes principles of safety and aseptic technique involved in working with materials and equipment and laboratory practice with impression materials and gypsum products. Prerequisites: Admission to Dental Assistant program and completion or concurrent enrollment in DAS 115 Chairside Assisting I and DAS 119 Dental Anatomy.

DAS 115 Chairside Assisting I 4 Cr Hrs

Introduces students to dental equipment, hand and rotary instruments and basic duties and responsibilities of the chairside assistant, such as seating and dismissing the patient, oral evacuation, retraction and instrument transfer. Introduces students to principles of microbiology, disease transmission, standard precautions and infection control techniques according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines. Prerequisites: Admission into the Dental Assistant program and completion or concurrent enrollment in DAS 112 Dental Materials I and DAS 119 Dental Anatomy.

DAS 118 Dental Radiology I 2 Cr Hrs

Covers basic principles of diagnostic radiology, equipment, radiation characteristics, radiation biology, protective measures and regulations, bisecting angle and paralleling techniques, extraoral radiology and anatomical landmarks. Instruction and laboratory techniques include exposure, processing, mounting and evaluating dental films using the Dxttr mannequin. Prerequisites: Admission to the Dental Assistant program and completion or concurrent enrollment in DAS 107 Anatomy for Dental Assistants and DAS 115 Chairside Assisting I.

DAS 119 Dental Anatomy 2 Cr Hrs

Covers the development of the oral cavity, teeth and supporting structures. The primary and permanent teeth are studied in detail as well as the major anatomic landmarks of the head and neck. Includes tooth drawing and placement of restorations in manikin teeth. Prerequisites: Admission into the Dental Assistant program and completion or concurrent enrollment in DAS 107 Anatomy for Dental Assistants.

DAS 125 Dental Science I 2 Cr Hrs

Provides students with knowledge of medical emergencies that may arise in the dental setting. Students are expected to recognize signs and symptoms of specific emergencies to assist in the delivery of the suggested treatment. CPR for the health-care professional, basic first aid and skills in taking and recording vital signs will be are taught. Pharmacology for the dental assistant and theoretical application of nitrous oxide is also included. Prerequisites: DAS 107 Anatomy for Dental Assistants and DAS 135 Chairside Assisting II.

DAS 129 Dental Science II 1 Cr Hr

Studies disease processes, especially those involving the oral cavity. Prerequisites: DAS 107 Anatomy for Dental Assistants, DAS 119 Dental Anatomy and concurrent enrollment in DAS 155 Chairside Assisting IV.

DAS 132 Dental Materials II 2 Cr Hrs

Continuation of DAS 112 Dental Materials I. Laboratory practice with dental cements, waxes, resins and restorative materials. Custom trays, dies, articulated models and temporary crowns are fabricated. Prerequisite: Completion of DAS 112 Dental Materials I.

DAS 135 Chairside Assisting II 3 Cr Hrs

Continuing practice of clinical dental assisting skills plus study of dental anesthesia, restorative dentistry with practice in application of matrix bands, dental dams and fixed prosthodontics. Prerequisite: Completion of DAS 115 Chairside Assisting I.

DAS 138 Dental Radiology II 2 Cr Hrs

Continuation of DAS 118 Dental Radiology I with more intensive experience in exposing, processing and mounting intraoral x-ray films using the Dxttr mannequin and patients. Students are closely supervised and an evaluation is made of each completed survey. Radiographic safety and infection control procedures are emphasized. Prerequisite: DAS 118 Dental Radiology I.

DAS 142 Dental Office Procedures 2 Cr Hrs

Provides instruction in additional business office procedures: supplies and inventory, expenses and disbursements, banking procedures, recording fees charged and paid, collections, computer applications in the dental office and dental insurance. Job-seeking skills are also included. Prerequisites: DAS 111 Fundamentals in Dental Assisting II and concurrent enrollment in DAS 145 Chairside Assisting III and DAS 155 Chairside Assisting IV.

DAS 143 Dental Materials III 1 Cr Hr

Continuation of Dental Materials I and II. This course includes identification of materials used in general dentistry and dental laboratory procedures. Proper manipulation of materials, their uses and correct storage are practiced. Various laboratory procedures including waxing, investing and casting of a crown, construction of baseplates and bite rims, bleaching trays and an orthodontic retainer are practiced. Students are instructed in and expected to demonstrate the safe operation of laboratory equipment. Prerequisites: DAS 132 Dental Materials II and concurrent enrollment in DAS 145 Chairside Assisting III.

DAS 144 Clinical Experience I 4 Cr Hrs

Opportunity to apply and practice the principles and procedures studied in the formal academic program. In private practice dental offices (both general practice and specialty offices), government clinics and public health facilities, students demonstrate the principles of chairside assisting, dental laboratory procedures and dental office procedures. Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in DAS 125 Dental Science I, DAS 138 Dental Radiology II, DAS 143 Dental Materials III and DAS 145 Chairside Assisting III.

DAS 145 Chairside Assisting III 1 Cr Hr

Continuation of Chairside Assisting I and II. This course provides a foundation for assisting in the dental specialties of oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics and removable prosthodontics. Procedures, instruments and materials involved in these areas are studied. Prerequisites: DAS 135 Chairside Assisting II and concurrent enrollment in DAS 143 Dental Materials III.

DAS 155 Chairside Assisting IV 1 Cr Hr

Continuation of Chairside Assisting I, II and III. This course provides a foundation for assisting in the dental specialties of periodontics, orthodontics, dentofacial orthopedics and pediatric dentistry. Procedures, instruments and materials involved in these areas are studied. Prerequisites: DAS 145 Chairside Assisting III and concurrent enrollment in DAS 143 Dental Materials III.

DAS 156 Clinical Experience II 4 Cr Hrs

In private practice dental offices (both general practice and specialty offices), government clinics and public health facilities, students demonstrate the principles of chairside assisting, dental laboratory procedures and business office procedures. Scheduled clinical seminars provide opportunities to review and discuss experiences and procedures. Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in DAS 129 Dental Science II, DAS 138 Dental Radiology II, DAS 142 Dental Office Procedures, DAS 143 Dental Materials III and DAS 155 Chairside Assisting IV.

CED 101 Computer Essentials 2 Cr Hrs

Covers the fundamentals of computer usage. At the end of the course, students are able to utilize Microsoft Office Word 2007 to create a résumé and cover letter, Microsoft Excel 2007 to create a spreadsheet and Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 to create and present a graphic presentation. They also learn how to access and browse the Internet and download files.