Dental Assistant (DA)

DA 016 C Dental Materials 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance into the Dental Assisting Program.

Term hours: 36 lecture and 54 laboratory. This course is a study of the structure, chemical and physical properties and manipulation of materials used in dentistry. Laboratory application of dental materials and the relationship of dental materials to the oral environment is included. Emphasis in this course is on specific materials and functions delegated to the registered dental assistant by the State of California. $85 materials fee payable at registration.

DA 058 C Clinical Externship I 1.5 Units

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance into the Dental Assisting Program and successful completion of all first semester courses.

Term hours: 9 lecture and 72 clinical setting. This course is the first in a series of clinical externships. The emphasis is on the beginning level skills and training for the dental assistant. Dental Assisting students will complete clinical rotations in dental offices and/or schools of dentistry. A minimum of eight hours per week will be spent in the clinical setting.

DA 059 C Clinical Externship II 3.5 Units

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of first semester Dental Assisting Program and enrollment in all of the second semester courses.

Term hours: 18 lecture and 144 clinical setting. This course is the second in a series of clinical externships. The emphasis is on advanced skills and training for the dental assistant. Dental Assisting students will complete clinical rotations in dental offices. A minimum of sixteen (16) hours per week will be spent in the clinical setting.

DA 061 C  Oral Anatomy and Dental Assisting= 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance into the Dental Assisting Program.

Term hours: 54 lecture. This course is a study in dental anatomy and physiology, oral embryology, head and neck, tooth morphology and histology, occlusion and malocclusion, innervations of the oral cavity essential to the proper care of patients during clinical treatment. Emphasis is placed on the proper identification of dental structures within the oral cavity, and the recognition of normal occlusion in contrast to malocclusion.

DA 062 C  Preventive Dental Health - Basics 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance in the Dental Assisting Program.

Term hours: 36 lecture and 54 laboratory. This course deals with the concepts of preventive dental health and basics of dental assisting which includes applied nutrition, and patient education, dental and medical emergencies, taking and evaluating medical and dental histories, systemic diseases with dental care implications, principles and fundamentals of infection control, sterilization and disinfection in the dental environment, dental photography, and oral evacuation.

DA 063 C Chairside Assisting I 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance in the Dental Assisting Program.

Term hours: 36 lecture and 54 laboratory. This course provides instruction in chairside assisting, which includes the history of dentistry, the dental team, pre-clinical knowledge and entry-level skills for the dental assistant in instrumentation, advancing to the application and principles of restorative dentistry and applying asepsis and infection control protocols during restorative dentistry. $90 materials fee payable at registration.

DA 065 C Radiology and Dental Assisting 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance into the Dental Assisting Program.

Term hours: 36 lecture and 54 laboratory. Certification for Radiation Safety is within the required course term hours. The Radiation Safety hours are Lecture 8 hours, Laboratory 12 hours and Clinical 12 hours with patients. This course covers the didactic, pre-clinical work on mannequins and clinical instruction on patients as required by the California State Dental Practice Act in regard to radiation safety. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be certified to take x-rays on patients in the dental office. $74.00 Materials Fee - PAYABLE AT REGISTRATION.

DA 066 C  Radiology II and Dental Assisting (formerly Clinical and Dental Radiology) 1 Unit

Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in the Dental Assisting Program.

Term hours: 54 clinical laboratory. This course provides advanced instruction on the exposure of intraoral and extraoral radiographs. The bisecting technique, paralleling technique, panoramic technique and the use of dental radiology aids will be utilized. Emphasis in this course is placed upon the student's performance demonstrating the ability to consistently produce diagnostic radiographs. $69 materials fee payable at registration.

DA 067 C Dental Specialties 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in the Dental Assisting Program and successful completion of all first semester courses.

Corequisite(s): DA 68-The Coronal Polish Course is a prerequisite to the Pit and Fissure Sealant Course.

Term hours: 36 lecture and 54 laboratory. Certification for Pit and Fissure Sealants is within the required course term hours. The Pit and Fissure Sealant hours are Lecture 4 hours, Labortory 4 hours and Clinical 8 hours with patients. This course provides instruction in the principles and procedures to function in the specialty area of dentistry: orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics, and oral surgery. It also provides information and clinical practice in those functions legally delegated to the Dental Assistant and Registered Dental Assistant in the California Dental Practice Act. It includes rules and regulations implemented by the Dental Board of California. pertaining to licensure. $107.00 Materials Fee - PAYABLE AT REGISTRATION.

DA 068 C Chairside Assisting II 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in the Dental Assisting Program and successful completion of all first semester courses.

Term hours: 36 lecture and 54 laboratory. Certification for Coronal Polish is within the required course term hours. The coronal polish hours are 4 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory and 4 hours clinical with patients. This course provides instruction in the principles, instrumentation, and procedures to function as a Registered Dental Assistant according to the legal stipulation in the California Dental Practice Act and implemented by the Dental Board of California.

DA 069 C Clinical Externship III 2.5 Units

Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in the Dental Assisting Program and successful completion of all first semester courses.

Term hours: 144 clinical setting. This course is the third in a series of clinical externships. The emphasis is on advanced skills and training for the dental assistant and registered dental assistant. Dental assisting students will complete clinical rotations in dental offices. A minimum of sixteen (16) hours per week will be spent in the clinical setting.

DA 070 C Dental Office Procedures 2 Units

Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in the Dental Assisting Program and successful completion of all first semester courses.

Term hours: 36 lecture. This course is designed to provide instruction, both didactic and practical application, in the skills and responsibilities of a dental administrative assistant. In addition, the students will be trained to use the Dentrix Dental Software program to become knowledgeable in all areas of practice management utilizing the computer. These areas include patient files, charting and treatment planning, appointment scheduling, reports and insurance claim processing. $5 materials fee payable at registration.

DA 099 C  Dental Assisting Independent Study 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Approved Independent Study Learning Contract

Pass/No Pass/Letter Grade Option. Term hours: 54 hours of scheduled conferences or clinics per term according to instructor. This course is designed for students with background/experience in Dental Assisting who wish to increase their knowledge and experience in applied areas. Students will participate in independent study on assigned areas under staff supervision. Course may be taken four times for credit.