Dental Assisting (DAST)

DAST 1100 Introduction to Dental Assisting 2 Credits

Prerequisite: admission to the Dental Assisting certificate program.

This course introduces the students to the scope, role and responsibilities of the dental assistant with basic concepts of preventive dentistry and associated specialties. The history of dentistry, importance of oral health, dental assistant’s role in a medical emergency, assisting with special needs patients, nutrition, legal/ethics aspects of dentistry, and pharmacology will be discussed.

(2 contact hours)

DAST 1120 Dental Science and Oral Pathology 3 Credits

Prerequisite: DAST 1100.

This course specializes in the study of embryology and histology of the head and neck, including muscular and anatomical structures. It includes the study of the tooth, tooth morphology, and oral pathology.

(5 contact hours: 2 lecture, 3 lab)

DAST 1130 Chairside I 3 Credits

Prerequisite: DAST 1100, DAST 1120 (must be taken concurrently).

This course includes a study of dental instruments, their care, function, tray set up and transfer. Also included is the study of different dental procedures and restorative techniques including practice of ergonomics with each procedure, proper chairside procedures, and correct dental charting.

(5 contact hours: 2 lecture, 3 lab)

DAST 1150 Infection Control 2 Credits

Prerequisite: DAST 1100, DAST 1120 (must be taken concurrently), DAST 1130 (must be taken concurrently), DAST 1160 (must be taken concurrently).

This course will emphasize the importance of infection control in dentistry. Standard precautions will be reviewed and practiced using national standards and protocols.

(4 contact hours: 1 lecture, 3 lab)

DAST 1160 Dental Materials 3 Credits

Prerequisite: DAST 1100, DAST 1120 (must be taken concurrently), DAST 1130 (must be taken concurrently).

This course will introduce a variety of dental materials that are used during chairside procedures and in the dental laboratory setting. Safety procedures and protocols will be emphasized. This course will acquaint the dental assistant student with the composition, properties, and manipulation of dental materials, with a primary emphasis on those materials used in the dental office and a secondary emphasis on select materials used in the dental laboratory. The physical, chemical, biological, and mechanical properties of dental materials will be included, along with proper technique for handling hazardous materials, taking impressions, constructing models and custom trays, and other laboratory duties in dentistry.

(6 contact hours: 1.5 lecture, 4.5 lab)

DAST 1200 Radiography 3 Credits

Prerequisite: DAST 1100, DAST 1120 (must be taken concurrently), DAST 1130 (must be taken concurrently), DAST 1150 (must be taken concurrently), DAST 1160 (must be taken concurrently).

This course will focus on the principles and history of radiography, physics of radiation, infection control, and radiation safety. The mounting of radiographs and darkroom procedures are also covered in this course. The students will be exposing intraoral and extraoral radiographs on manikins.

(5 contact hours: 2 lecture, 3 lab)

DAST 1210 Practice Management 2 Credits

Prerequisite: DAST 1100, DAST 1120, DAST 1130, DAST 1150, DAST 1160, DAST 1200.

This course introduces the student to the concepts of the business of dentistry as a service profession, the dental team, patient management, and design and equipment placement in the office. In addition, the student will learn effective communication, document management and storage, and written communication and telecommunication. The course also incudes introduction to business office systems, such as appointment management, recall, inventory, dental insurance, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.

(2 contact hours)

DAST 1230 Chairside II 2 Credits

Prerequisite: DAST 1100, DAST 1120, DAST 1130, DAST 1150, DAST 1160.

This course will emphasize dental specialties and the dental assistant’s role. The laboratory experience includes an overview of the various dental specialties and the different instruments, procedures, and materials used.

(4 contact hours: 1 lecture, 3 lab)

DAST 1310 Dental Assisting Seminar 1 Credit

Prerequisite: DAST 1100, DAST 1120, DAST 1130, DAST 1150, DAST 1160, DAST 1200, DAST 1210, DAST 1230.

This course provides a forum to review and integrate all coursework with the clinical experience. Students will meet to discuss program content in preparation for the State Dental Assisting Examination. Further emphasis is placed on development of professional success skills, such as preparation of personal resume, interviewing techniques, and job applications.

(1 contact hour)

DAST 1320 Dental Assisting Practicum 1 Credit

Prerequisite: DAST 1100, DAST 1130, DAST 1150, DAST 1160, DAST 1200, DAST 1210, DAST 1230.

This course is designed to provide the student with the opportunity for practical application of the skills gained through the dental assisting program. The student is assigned a dental office for supervised practical experience.

(6 contact hours: 6 clinical)