Dental Assisting

DENT 151     Dental Anatomy and Vital Signs     3 Units

Students are introduced to the general principles and basic concepts of anatomy and physiology of the human body with emphasis on the structures of the head and neck, oral cavity, human dentition, tooth morphology, oral embryology and histology and how each component interrelates to the body systems. Students will acquire the skills necessary to obtain a patient's medical and dental health history and vital signs. With the use of diagnostic techniques, students will demonstrate on a patient a clinical examination and chart findings. Students will also be introduced on how to respond and manage a dental emergency. This course meets the lab science requirement for Dental Assisting majors only.

Lecture Hours: 2  Lab Hours: 3  Repeatable: No  Grading: L

Recommended: Proof of current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross

Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None

Transfer Status: None     Degree Applicable: AS

CSU GE: None   IGETC: None   District GE: BL

DENT 152     Beginning Dental Assisting and Infection Control     3 Units

Students will learn in-depth principles and concepts of disease transmission, OSHA regulations, and infection control recommendations by the CDC that meet the Dental Board of California's requirement for licensing. Students are introduced to microbiology and diseases caused by specific pathogens. Principles and techniques in sterilization and disinfection of instruments and equipment are covered in-depth. Students learn how to use and maintain dental operatory equipment, position operator, assistant, and patient, set-up, instrument transfer, soft tissue retraction methods, and oral evacuation skills. Properties of gypsum dental materials are presented and models of human dentition are constructed using gypsum materials.

Lecture Hours: 2  Lab Hours: 3  Repeatable: No  Grading: L

Corequisite: DENT 151 and DENT 152, previous or concurrent

Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None

Transfer Status: None     Degree Applicable: AS

CSU GE: None   IGETC: None   District GE: None

DENT 153     Preventive Dentistry     1.5 Units

Students will learn the history of dentistry, current concepts in dental care, nutrition, fluoride, communication skills, and preventive dentistry, along with Dental Assisting functions, education, and scope of practice. Students will engage in community-based learning experiences. Students will also earn CPR/BLS for Healthcare Practitioners Certification.

Lecture Hours: 1  Lab Hours: 1.5  Repeatable: No  Grading: L

Prerequisite: Proof of Hepatitis B vaccine and 2-step TB test (2 TB tests) within the last year or a negative chest x-ray within the last year and Proof of Influenza vaccine or a signed declination form for each

Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None

Transfer Status: None     Degree Applicable: AS

CSU GE: None   IGETC: None   District GE: None

DENT 154     Radiation Safety 1     3 Units

This highly technical course prepares the student to take diagnostically effective radiographic images. The student will learn the principles and biological effects of radiation, components of the dental radiographic equipment, intra-oral exposure techniques, radiation safety, film processing, mounting, and infection control procedures used when exposing radiographs on a mannequin. Students will also be introduced to digital radiography software and techniques. According to the Dental Board of California, students must pass the written exam with 75% or higher before beginning radiographic exposures on patients.

Lecture Hours: 2  Lab Hours: 3  Repeatable: No  Grading: L

Prerequisite: DENT 151, DENT 152 and DENT 153; all with C or better

Corequisite: DENT 155 and DENT 156, previous or concurrent

Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None

Transfer Status: None     Degree Applicable: AS

CSU GE: None   IGETC: None   District GE: None

DENT 155     Basic Chairside Assisting     3 Units

Students will focus on the principles and skills of four-handed dentistry, during operative procedures performed in a general dental office. Concepts, preclinical instructions and directives include preparing and assisting for the administration of local anesthetic, placement of dental dam and matrix systems, instrument identification and transfer, burs and handpiece maintenance, manipulation and transfer of dental materials, and assisting during restorative procedures. Students will also learn the basics of irreversible dental materials and taking of alginate impressions on typodonts.

Lecture Hours: 2  Lab Hours: 3  Repeatable: No  Grading: L

Prerequisite: DENT 151, DENT 152 and DENT 153; all with C or better

Corequisite: DENT 154 and DENT 156, previous or concurrent

Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None

Transfer Status: None     Degree Applicable: AS

CSU GE: None   IGETC: None   District GE: None

DENT 156     Assisting With Prosthodontics and Laboratory Procedures     1.5 Units

Students build on chairside assisting and manipulation of dental materials skills learned in previous courses. Emphasis is on properties, uses, and handling of dental materials and practices associated with prosthodontic procedures. The course will introduce RDA skills and the student will demonstrate the technical skills and knowledge necessary to assist and/or work independently in manipulating dental materials, fabricating, custom provisional crowns and bridges, custom trays, assembling a facebow, and manipulation of other bite registration materials. Students will get familiarization with taking digital impressions,and assist with obtaining final impressions. Students will get an introduction with using a model trimmer to cut gypsum models.

Lecture Hours: 1  Lab Hours: 1.5  Repeatable: No  Grading: L

Prerequisite: DENT 151, DENT 152 and DENT 153; all with C or better

Corequisite: DENT 154 and DENT 156, previous or concurrent

Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None

Transfer Status: None     Degree Applicable: AS

CSU GE: None   IGETC: None   District GE: None

DENT 161     Radiation Safety 2 and Coronal Polishing     3 Units

This highly technical course is to complete the radiography acquirement necessary to in DENT 154. Students learn about more advanced techniques including, digital radiography, modifications of paralleling technique, the edentulous patient, occlusal, panoramic radiography, and radiography for children. Concepts of oral pathology, pharmacology, nutrition, and in-depth coverage of medical emergencies in the dental office are presented. The student produces full mouth surveys of dental x-ray film with a minimum of errors. Successful completion of this course and DENT 154 fulfills requirements for the California Radiation Safety Certificate.

Lecture Hours: 2  Lab Hours: 3  Repeatable: No  Grading: L

Prerequisite: DENT 154 and DENT 155 and DENT 156; all with C or better and current CPR Certification (Adult/Infant/Child).

Corequisite: DENT 162, previous or concurrent

Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None

Transfer Status: None     Degree Applicable: AS

CSU GE: None   IGETC: None   District GE: None

DENT 162     California Dental Law & Ethics     1.5 Units

Students will continue to build upon basic and fundamental skills to explore the duties, responsibilities, and tasks of a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) as described in the California Dental Practice Act. Students learn intermediate and advanced skills as required when working in the dental field as an RDA. This course will provide information regarding law and ethics, and managing the RDA Licensure which is required for RDA certification.

Lecture Hours: 1  Lab Hours: 1.5  Repeatable: No  Grading: L

Prerequisite: Take DENT 154 and DENT 155 and DENT 156; with C or better.

Corequisite: DENT 161, previous or concurrent

Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None

Transfer Status: None     Degree Applicable: AS

CSU GE: None   IGETC: None   District GE: None

DENT 163     Dental Specialties     3 Units

Students will learn advanced digital radiography techniques, the edentulous patient, occlusal, panoramic radiography, and radiography for children. Concepts of pharmacology, and in-depth coverage of medical emergencies in the dental office are presented. The significance of patient management and adherence to legal protocols will be emphasized throughout the course. Students will be trained to perform coronal polishing on typodonts and patients, as well as produce full mouth surveys of dental radiographic images with minimal errors. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be issued the California Radiation Safety Certificate.

Lecture Hours: 2  Lab Hours: 3  Repeatable: No  Grading: L

Prerequisite: DENT 154, DENT 155 and DENT 156; all with C or better

Corequisite: DENT 161 and DENT 162, previous or concurrent

Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None

Transfer Status: None     Degree Applicable: AS

CSU GE: None   IGETC: None   District GE: None

DENT 164     Dental Office Administration     1 Unit

Students will learn office administration skills for a dental practice using a computerized management system. The student will apply skills necessary to bill dental insurance, schedule appointments, maintain a recall system, develop telephone etiquette, manage filing systems, update patient accounts and treatment plans. Students will learn basic bookkeeping systems, develop financial arrangements and accounts receivable, and practice professional written and verbal communication skills. In addition, the student will learn marketing, dental law, ethics, and legal responsibilities as they pertain to the business office and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).

Lecture Hours: 0.5  Lab Hours: 1.5  Repeatable: No  Grading: L

Prerequisite: DENT 156 with C or better

Corequisite: DENT 163, previous or concurrent

Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None

Transfer Status: None     Degree Applicable: AS

CSU GE: None   IGETC: None   District GE: None

DENT 165     Advanced Dental Assisting 1     1 Unit

Students will apply pit and fissure sealants on patients who have a prescription form signed by a licensed dentist. A written and practical board approved exam will be administered within the course whereupon students who successfully pass with a 75% or higher earn a certificate of completion in Pit and Fissure Sealants. Mandated by the Dental Board of California, this course is an extension of SJCC's RDA program and is not open to non-registered dental assisting students. All students must have a current CPR certificate.

Lecture Hours: 0.5  Lab Hours: 1.5  Repeatable: No  Grading: L

Prerequisite: DENT 162 with C or better, and current enrollment in the full-time Dental Assisting Program

Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None

Transfer Status: None     Degree Applicable: AS

CSU GE: None   IGETC: None   District GE: None

DENT 171     Clinical Dental Assisting 1     2.5 Units

Students participate in clinical externships in a general dental office for 100 hours and perform chairside assisting, lab, and business office responsibilities described by the American Dental Association of the Commission on Dental Accreditation and the State Dental Practice Act. In lecture, the student will focus on Dental Law & Ethics guidelines established by the American Dental Association of the Commission on Dental Accreditation, the California Dental Association and Dental Assisting National Board and discuss clinical experiences. This course is designed to focus on preparing the student for the Dental Board of California Law and Ethics Examination and is the first of three externships.

Lecture Hours: 0.5  Lab Hours: 6  Repeatable: No  Grading: L

Prerequisite: DENT 154 and DENT 155 and DENT 156; all with C or better

Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: 1

Transfer Status: None     Degree Applicable: AS

CSU GE: None   IGETC: None   District GE: None

DENT 172     Clinical Dental Assisting 2     2.5 Units

Students participate in clinical externship in a general dental office for 100 hours and perform chairside assisting, lab, and business office responsibilities described by the American Dental Association of the Commission on Dental Accreditation and the State Dental Practice Act. Students focus on increasing skills and knowledge to achieve intermediate clinical-level dental assisting and RDA skills. They receive in-depth coverage in securing and maintaining employment, laws governing employment, and CAL-OSHA's Employee's Right to Know Act. This course is the second of three externships.

Lecture Hours: 0.5  Lab Hours: 6  Repeatable: No  Grading: L

Prerequisite: DENT 171 with C or better

Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None

Transfer Status: None     Degree Applicable: AS

CSU GE: None   IGETC: None   District GE: None

DENT 173     Clinical Dental Assisting 3     2.5 Units

Students participate for 100 hours in the final clinical externship in a specialty dental office and/or general practice that performs specialty dental treatment to achieve advanced clinical-level skills described by the American Dental Association of the Commission on Dental Accreditation and the State Dental Practice Act. Students are introduced to Substance Use Disorders, diversion programs, and recovery models related to dentistry. Students will also learn how to recognize and report child, elderly and dependent abuse, and domestic violence. They are introduced to the importance of cultural competence and career paths.

Lecture Hours: 0.5  Lab Hours: 6  Repeatable: No  Grading: L

Prerequisite: DENT 172 with C or better

Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None

Transfer Status: None     Degree Applicable: AS

CSU GE: None   IGETC: None   District GE: None