DENTAL ASSISTING

DENTAL ASSISTING (DA)

DIVISION: Health Sciences

DA 100  DENTAL MATERIALS  
3 unit  

C-ID: DENA 105X

Corequisite(s): Enrollment in or completion of DA 123A
Enrollment Limitation: Enrollment in Dental Assisting program

Composition, characteristics, physical properties and uses of metallic alloys and non-metallic agents such as gypsum, cements, aesthetic restorations, impression materials and new products currently used in dentistry. Includes practical laboratory experiences and chairside procedures involved in the use of these materials. Total of 36 hours lecture and 72 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
DA 108  INFECTION CONTROL IN DENTISTRY  
2 unit  
Enrollment Limitation: Enrollment in the Dental Assisting program

Introduction to microbiology, infectious diseases, immunity, infection control in the dental office, agencies concerned with disease control, OSHA standards and guidelines and hazard communication management. Review of current rules and regulations as outlined by the Dental Practice Act. This course meets the eligibility requirements for the certificate in Infection Control and the California Dental Practice Act required by the state for unlicensed Dental Assistants. Total of 36 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
DA 110  INTRODUCTION TO DENTAL ESSENTIALS  
3.5 unit  
Enrollment Limitation: Enrollment in the Dental Assisting Program

Introduction to dental essentials to include the oral cavity, bones of the face, fundamentals of preventive dentistry, vital signs, principles of professionalism, the dental health team and selected dental office lab procedures. Total of 54 hours lecture and 27 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
DA 111  APPLIED HUMAN BEHAVIOR  
2 unit  
Enrollment Limitation: Enrollment in in Dental Assisting program

Principles of applied human behavior, psychology and interpersonal communication in diverse settings. Total of 36 hours lecture.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
DA 120  INDEPENDENT STUDY  
1 unit  
Enrollment Limitation: Acceptance into the Dental Assisting Program and program director approval

Participation in clinical activities, projects, research, etc. including experience in clinical and preclinical or simulated practice settings, practical laboratory projects/assignment, lecture attendance, literature review, and community projects. Total of 54 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade, Pass/No-Pass
DA 123A  CHAIRSIDE TECHNIQUES  
4.5 unit  
Corequisite(s): Enrollment in or completion of DA 100, 108, and 110
Enrollment Limitation: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting Program

Chairside techniques to include infection control, basic medical and dental emergencies, cavity classification and design, dental charting, rotary and hand instruments, tray set-ups and procedures, oral vacuum and triplex syringe use, instrument exchange, dental dam placement and removal, matrix retainer placement and removal, four-handed dentistry techniques, anesthetic syringe, principles of anesthesiology, and medical history procedures. Practical application of preclinical/clinical techniques in patient management. Total of 36 hours lecture and 144 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
DA 123B  ADVANCED CHAIRSIDE TECHNIQUES  
4 unit  
Prerequisite(s): DA 123A
Corequisite(s): DA 135
Enrollment Limitation: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting Program

Application of advanced dental assisting chairside techniques, oral pathology, oral inspection, pharmacology and dental therapeutics, product evaluation and dental specialties. Total of 54 hours lecture and 72 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
DA 124  DENTAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION  
3 unit  

C-ID: DENA 100X

Enrollment Limitation: Enrollment in the Dental Assisting Program

Dental office skills aimed at developing the dental assistant's abilities related to dental office administration. Course will include but not be limited to the following didactic and laboratory instruction: business aspects of dentistry, dental team employees, patient management, legal and ethical issues, technology, office design and equipment used in dentistry. Total of 54 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
DA 125  CLINICAL EXPERIENCE I  
3 unit  
Prerequisite(s): DA 123A
Enrollment Limitation: Enrollment in the Dental Assisting program

Clinical experience(s) to include but are not limited to: chairside skills and techniques, new technology, and specialty practices. Students must provide their own transportation and meet all the clinical guidelines. 18 hours lecture 108 hours field/clinical.

Grade Mode: Pass/No-Pass
DA 127  CLINICAL EXPERIENCE II  
4.5 unit  
Prerequisite(s): DA 100, DA 123A, DA 125 and DA 140, and enrollment in or completion of DA 135
Enrollment Limitation: Enrollment in the Dental Assisting program

Application of academic knowledge, communication and technical skills to the dental office workplace environment. Weekly clinical seminars, evaluations, and related work experiences include but are not limited to using basic and advanced chairside assisting skills and procedures, radiology techniques, and manipulation of dental materials. The students will be assigned to general and specialty dental offices and clinics and meet regularly to discuss experiences, work ethics, and other topics related to employment. Students must provide their own transportation and meet all the clinical guidelines. Total of 18 hours lecture and 192 hours field/clinical.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
DA 135  REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT TECHNIQUES  
3 unit  
Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in or completion of DA 123B and DA 140
Enrollment Limitation: Enrollment in the Dental Assisting Program

Functions delegated to the dental assist and the registered dental assistant. Meets the requirements of the Dental board of California for completion of designated Registered Dental Assisting duties in addition to coronal polish, pit and fissure sealant application and Ultrasonic scaling for orthodontic band cement removal. Emphasis is placed on the practical application and technical abilities of each task, critical thinking, communication, ethical responsibilities, competency of performance and a demonstrated concern for patient health and safety. Total of 36 hours of lecture and 72 hours of laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
DA 140  ORAL RADIOLOGY  
4 unit  
Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in or completion of DA 110 and 108
Enrollment Limitation: Enrollment in the Dental Assisting Program

Students are required to provide valid and current cleared health history and BLS. To meet the state of California Radiation Safety course requirements, students are required to provide patients for radiographic exposures. Theory and basic principles of intraoral and extraoral radiography; characteristics and methods of controlling X-radiation; hazards of radiation; infection control and safety procedures. Laboratory and clinical experience on selected patients; care and operation of dental X-ray unit; dental images, placement and exposure techniques. Identification and interpretation of radiographs. Course meets and is approved by the Dental Board of California for Radiation Safety. Total of 36 hours lecture and 108 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
DA 149  ORTHODONTIC ASSISTANT  
2.5 unit  

Designed to provide advance education in orthodontic training for the Registered Dental Assistant or Dental Assistant currently working in an Orthodontic practice setting. Meets the didactic and laboratory requirements by the Dental Board of California Orthodontic Assisting Permit course approval. Specialty Clinical Experience. Students must provide verification of RDA license and/or 6 months work experience as a Dental Assistant; Hepatitis B immunization records OR HBV Refusal form; TB Test Result; CPR certification, 8 hour Infection Control and 2 hour Dental Practice Act or RDA license on the first day of class. Total of 36 hours lecture and 36 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Pass/No-Pass
DA 150  CLINICAL EXPERIENCE IN A SPECIALTY PRACTICE  
0.5 unit  
Prerequisite(s): DA 149 or DA 123B
Enrollment Limitation: Enrollment in or completion of the Dental Assisting Program

Clinical instruction designed to provide students with the required clinical hours associated with working in an orthodontic office or other specialty office under the instructors' supervision. Students will be required to attend an orientation and complete assigned hours in an approved clinical site. Total of 28 hours of clinical laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade, Pass/No-Pass
DA 160  COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL ASSISTING EXAM REVIEW  
0.5 unit  

Prepares the dental assistant with a comprehensive review of dental assisting functions, infection control standards, radiation safety, dental assisting and registered dental assisting duties. Practice and reinforcement of exam material. Includes but not limited to selected DA/RDA duties and functions. Total of 9 hours lecture.

Grade Mode: Pass/No-Pass
DA 161  COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL ASSISTING PRACTICAL EXAM REVIEW  
0.5 unit  

Prepares the dental assistant with a comprehensive review of dental assisting functions, infection control standards, dental assisting, and registered dental assisting duties. Practice and enforcement of technical skills include but not limited to selected DA/RDA duties and functions. Total of 27 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Pass/No-Pass
DA 200A  DENTAL ASSISTING LAB  
1 unit  
Enrollment Limitation: Enrollment in the Dental Assisting Program

Refinement of basic dental assisting skills, techniques and concepts in a laboratory or clinical setting. Total of 54 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Pass/No-Pass
DA 200B  DENTAL ASSISTING TECHNICAL SKILLS ENHANCEMENT LAB  
1 unit  
Prerequisite(s): DA 200A
Enrollment Limitation: Enrollment in the Dental Assisting Program

Enhance advanced level of dental assisting skills, techniques and concepts in a laboratory, preclinical, or clinical setting. Total of 54 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Pass/No-Pass