Dental Assisting Courses

Provides the student with an overview of the dental assisting profession. It begins with a look at the history of dentistry through the ages, introduces the other members of the dental healthcare team, and explains the legal and ethical responsibilities expected of a dental professional.

This course provides an overview of basic human anatomy and physiology. The student will be able to identify the structures of the oral cavity in detail and will learn how the teeth begin to develop before birth. The student will use his/her knowledge of dentition every day in a career as a dental assistant.

This course discusses the two most important infectious dental diseases (dental caries and periodontal disease) and describes measures that are effective in improving oral health and preventing oral disease. Also discussed in this course is the role of nutrition in general health and how it relates to oral health in particular.

The step-by-step procedures described in this course will help the student put into daily practice information provided in the OSHA requirements and in the CDC Guidelines. The student will be able to base day to day infection control decisions on sound scientific information. The student will also learn how to handle chemicals safely in the dental office, as well as how to identify and correctly dispose of waste materials. The student will learn how to protect himself against workplace injuries.

This course provides the student with the background knowledge and skills that will be used to assist the dentist in assessing a patient’s overall health and dental health status. The student will learn to collect personal information for a new or returning patient, obtain diagnostic information, work with a medically compromised patient, and assist the team in a medical emergency.

This course focuses on the preclinical skills the student will master when learning how dental care is delivered. Areas discussed include the layout and design of the dental office, team dentistry, expanded functions, the specific instruments and supplies used in most general dental procedures, and the importance of patient comfort during dental treatment with the use of moisture control, anesthesia, and pain control methods.

This course provides the student with the information needed to understand radiation and how to use it safely in the dental office. The student will learn the basic principles and techniques for film-based and digital imaging.

This course will provide the student with the level of background knowledge and skills necessary to become competent in the dental materials used in the clinical setting. The presentation of dental materials will guide and advance the student’s skill level for working in the general and specialized areas of dentistry.

This section provides a level of knowledge and skills that will prepare the student for clinical dentistry. As the student progresses and demonstrates competency in General Dentistry, Matrix Systems for Restorative Dentistry, Fixed Prosthodontics, and Provisional Coverage, he/she will be better prepared for graduation, the Dental Assisting National Board, and a career in dental assisting.

This section provides a level of knowledge and skills that will prepare the student for clinical dentistry. As the student progresses and demonstrates competency in Removable Prosthodontics, Dental Implants, Endodontics, and Periodontics, he/she will be better prepared for graduation, the Dental Assisting National Board, and a career in dental assisting.

This section provides a level of knowledge and skills that will prepare the student for clinical dentistry. As the student progresses and demonstrates competency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry, Coronal Polishing, Dental Sealants, and Orthodontics, he/she will be better prepared for graduation, the Dental Assisting National Board, and a career in dental assisting.

This course provides an overview of how human relations play an important role when working and communicating with colleagues and patients. By understanding the communication methods used in the dental setting, learning the technology of the dental practice, managing the financial aspects of a practice, and marketing the student’s personal skills for lifelong learning, the student will become an advocate for the profession of dentistry and its patients.