Dental Assisting (DNA)

Provides an introduction to the oral health profession and covers basic terminology, historical perspective, the credentialing process, accreditation, professional organizations, and legal and ethical considerations. Lecture 1 hour per week.

Studies head and neck anatomy, tooth morphology, pathological conditions of the oral cavity, disease processes, and microbiology. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

Studies the materials utilized in the laboratory aspect of dentistry as support in treatment. Emphasis is placed on the characteristics, manipulation, economical control, storage, and delivery of materials. Lecture: 2 hours per week. Laboratory: 3 hours per week. Total: 5 hours per week.

Provides instruction on the principles of clinical chair side dental assisting, dental equipment use and maintenance, safety, instrument identification, tray set-ups by procedures, and patient data collection. Emphasis on patient management during restorative procedures. Lecture: 2 hours per week. Laboratory: 3 hours per week. Total: 5 hours per week.

Introduces the student to the various dental specialties including oral surgery, orthodontics, periodontic, prosthodontics, endodontics, and pediatric dentistry. Integrates and applies previous course content to operative dental procedures. Lecture: 2 hours per week. Laboratory: 6 hours per week. Total: 8 hours per week.

Exposes students to concepts and terminology related to pharmacology, pain control, and dental medicinal agents. Emphasis is placed on the use of materials in patient treatment. Lecture 1 hour per week.

Studies topics related to community health issues including identification of specific diseases, symptoms, causes, and effects. An emphasis is placed on the promotion of oral health in the community through patient education in oral home care techniques, dietary counseling, plaque control procedures and application of medicinal agents. Lecture 1 hour per week.

Exposes students to and provides practical experience in the legal aspects of dental office management with regard to ethics, jurisprudence, appointment control, recall systems, reception techniques, telephone techniques, accounts receivable and payable, payroll insurance claims, inventory control, and professional conduct in a dental office. Lecture 1 hour. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

Teaches the physics of dental radiation and safety, equipment operation, cone placement for the parallel and bisection techniques, panoramic exposures, mounting and film processing. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

Exposes students to the fast pace of a dental practice while they perform support services with an established team. Clinical Seminars: 1 hour per week. Clinical Rotations: 12 hours per week.

Coordinated Internship