Dental Assisting

This course incorporates previous skills obtained and introduces the student to chairside assisting and four-handed dentistry. Instrumentation will be emphasized so that the student will have a working knowledge of dental instruments used in restorative dentistry. Instruments and procedures of dental specialties will be taught. Students must achieve a minimum of a “C” grade or repeat the course.

This course is a continuation of CSA 201 Chairside Assisting I. This course also includes emphasis on infection control procedures, vital signs, and clinical charting. An additional focus will center on certification examination preparation. Students must achieve a minimum of a “C” grade or repeat the course.

The Dental Assisting externship is a capstone course that is taken in the last quarter of a student’s training. The student will complete 160 hours at an externship site with the goal of applying classroom skills to a real world environment. The externship is designed to integrate the classroom training and transform it into hands-on application, creating on-the-job experiences.

This course introduces the student to the physical and chemical properties of the materials used in the dental office. The student will learn to handle and manipulate these materials as well as working with a typodont during the application of materials as they increase their skill level. The care and maintenance of lab equipment will be included.

This course introduces the student to dental coding techniques and infection control procedures in the dental office. The student will acquire a basic understanding of the CDT coding system used in dentistry. Additionally, the student will learn intricate details of infection control procedures within the dental office, including blood-borne pathogens, standard precautions, principles of disinfection, instrument sterilization techniques, waste management, and the methods for reducing bacterial contamination in dental unit waterlines.

This course is designed to teach the student general principles of pharmacology, drug actions, medications used in dentistry, prescription interaction, principles of pain control, local anesthesia, and dental emergencies. Additional emphasis will be placed on existing patient medical conditions and/or prescriptions.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the dental business office. The course includes business and communication management, keyboarding skills, patient and dental team management, legal and ethical issues, dental office documentation, and new dental technology.

This course will emphasize the basic principles of radiology and instruct the student in techniques to expose, develop, and mount radiographs, identify anatomical landmarks, and interpret abnormalities.

This course introduces the student to dental terminology and the anatomy and physiology of the primary and permanent dentition, and oral structures.

This course introduces the student to the anatomy of the head and neck region including bones, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves and how it relates to the function of occlusion, and histology.

This course presents the student with the method to identify, spell, define, and apply the terminology and language specific to the dental field. The student will be introduced to dental terms and abbreviations as they relate to head and neck anatomy, oral structures, tooth formation, dental instruments and equipment, and other dental practice topics.

This introductory course provides an overview of law and ethics for allied health professionals and legal professionals functioning in a wide variety of settings. This course provides an introduction to the legal foundations of health care in America. It is the responsibility of the American government to promote and protect the health and welfare of the public while respecting the interests, and upholding the rights, of the individual. The content of this course addresses how the law balances these collective and individual rights. The material covers a broad range of legal issues/topics in health care, including but not limited to: the American legal system, standards of care, scope of practice, physician patient relationships, standards of professional conduct, public duties, documentation, employment laws and practices, pertinent federal/state statutes, ethical codes, and bioethical issues. The content will provide an understanding of ethical and legal obligations to self, patients, and employer. Emphasis will be placed on applicable federal law, as well as limited state laws and regulations of the healthcare and legal professions.

This course is designed to teach the student about preventive dentistry programs and oral hygiene. Topics include tooth brushing and flossing techniques, use of auxiliary aids, fluoride, sealants, and mouth rinses, caries control, and the role played by nutrition in preventing dental diseases.