First Semester

Units awarded in topics courses are dependent upon the number of hours required of the student. Any combination of lecture, laboratory, or lecture/laboratory may be scheduled by the department. Refer to Class Schedule. Note: Credit/No Credit grading only; may be taken 4 times.  Topics in Dental Assisting. See Class Schedule for specific topic offered. Course title will designate subject covered.

General orientation to dental assisting. Introduction to basic oral anatomy, oral hygiene techniques and prevention, human behavior, dental nomenclature, dental assisting, history of dentistry, ethics, role of the dental assistant and other auxiliary personnel; licensing and certification of dental assistants; dental jurisprudence and malpractice; psychology and observation in dental offices.

Chemical properties and uses of dental materials and solutions; manipulative techniques and methods of preparation.

Reception and care of the patient in the dental office, communication skills, telephone techniques, appointment scheduling, dental records (charting health and dental history), filing, recalls, bookkeeping, accounts receivable and accounts payable, purchasing inventory, principles of and use of insurance forms and collections.

Theory and technique of oral radiography, radiation hygiene, anatomical landmarks, and methods and materials for processing radiographs. The laboratory portion will provide the student with knowledge concerning film placement, cone angulation, exposing and developing radiographs, and mounting and evaluating processed films. 

Advanced experience regarding film placement, cone angulation, exposing and developing radiographs, mounting and evaluating films to further enhance the student’s patient management skills.

Applications of and introduction to preclinical dental assisting in operative and specialty dental procedures, care of equipment, instrumentation, sterilization techniques, disease transmission, charting, utilization of dental materials, dental office emergencies, and functions delegated to the California Registered Dental Assistant.

This course teaches laboratory and clinical applications of coronal polishing, periodontics, preventive dentistry and placement of pit and fissure sealants. 

DA 83 Preventive Dentistry II (.5)

Application of concepts and skills from DA 82. Emphasis is on the coronal polishing procedure and pit and fissure sealants as applied to clinical patients.

Advanced laboratory and clinical experience focusing on basic skills previously learned. Emphasis is placed on 1) clinical use of impression materials for obtaining study models, 2) pouring and trimming plaster and stone models, 3) fabrication of custom trays for preliminary impressions, 4) fabrication of provisional restorations, and 5) advanced prosthodontic and orthodontic instruction.

An intensive program of practical dental experiences, working with patients and staff at the Camp Pendleton Naval Dental Clinic and/or private dental offices. Students will assist the dentists in specialized and operative procedures and duties delegated to the California licensed Registered Dental Assistant..

Units awarded in topics courses are dependent upon the number of hours required of the student. Any combination of lecture, laboratory, or lecture/laboratory may be scheduled by the department. Refer to Class Schedule. Note: Credit/No Credit only; may be taken 4 times Topics in Dental Assisting. See Class Schedule for specific topic offered. Course title will designate subject covered.