Course Requirements
Courses
DENTL 220A 1204.10
Infection Control and Oral Health
2 units: 1.5 hours lecture, 2 hours lab
Corequisites: DENTL 221, 222, 223, 224A and 225
Recommended Preparation: DENTL 251and 252, ENGL 201B or higher, PSYCH 1A and COMM 1A or 20 or 45
Emphasis on infection control and disinfection techniques for patient and occupational protection; disease transmission, microbiology, and application of Cal-DOSH (OSHA) blood-borne pathogens standards, Dental Board Infection Control guidelines and CDC recommendations for healthcare settings; relationship and value of nutrition in promoting good oral health.
DENTL 220B 1204.10
Infection Control and Coronal Polish
1 unit: .5 hours lecture, 1.5 hours lab
Prerequisite: DENTL 220A
Corequisites: DENTL 221, 222, 223, 224A and 225
Recommended Preparation: DENTL 251and 252, ENGL 201B or higher, PSYCH 1A and COMM 1A or 20 or 45
Introduction to infection control and coronal polish: Emphasis on coronal polish, infection control, sterilization and disinfection techniques, and legal considerations for patient and occupational protection; application of Cal-DOSH (OSHA) blood-borne pathogens standards, Dental Board Infection Control guidelines, and CDC recommendations for healthcare settings; principles of tooth polishing and plaque and stain formation, indications and contra-indications of coronal polishing, polishing agent composition and storage and handling; characteristics, manipulation, and care of dental hand pieces; nutritional information for good oral health and preventative care.
DENTL 221 1204.10
Professional Standards
0.5 unit: 10 term-hours lecture
Corequisites: DENTL 220A, 222, 223, 224A and 225
Recommended Preparation: DENTL 251and 252, ENGL 201B or higher, PSYCH 1A and COMM 1A or 45
Introduction and hands-on orientation to the dental assisting profession and career of dentistry. Study of nutrition, health, professionalism, history of dentistry and allied organizations. Emphasis on licensure and certification, the duties of chairside assistants, the legal ramifications of dentistry, ethics and jurisprudence.
DENTL 222 1204.10
Oral Anatomy, Morphology and Body Systems
3.5 units: 3 hours lecture, 1.5 hours lab
Corequisites: DENTL 220A, 221, 223, 224A and 225
Recommended Preparation: DENTL 251and 252, ENGL 201B or higher, PSYCH 1A and COMM 1A or 45
Introduction to general anatomy, body systems, and head and neck anatomy. Emphasis will be on the teeth and their supporting structures.
DENTL 223 1204.10
Chairside Procedures
3 units: 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
Prerequisite: HLTED 9 and HLTED 11 or current First Aid and CPR cards; and health clearances: physical and dental examinations, and negative TB and hepatitis test results.
Corequisites: DENTL 220A, 220B, 221, 222, 224A and 225
Recommended Preparation: DENTL 251and 252, ENGL 201B or higher, PSYCH 1A and COMM 1A or 20 or 45
Principles of chairside assisting; operative procedures including chairside responsibilities, instrument identification, 4-handed techniques, sequences of dental procedures and dental anesthesia; maintenance of dental equipment and operatory systems.
DENTL 224A 1204.10
Dental Radiology I
3 units: 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
Corequisites: DENTL 220A, 220B, 221, 222, 223 and 225
Recommended Preparation: DENTL 251and 252, ENGL 201B or higher, PSYCH 1A and COMM 1A or 20 or 45
Basic principles of radiation and radiation safety and protection: Elementary anatomic landmarks for exposing dental radiographs on x-ray mannequins using bisecting and parallel techniques; radiological terminology and vocabulary including basic digital radiography; radiologic infection control; and proficiency, through examination, in radiation safety and protection techniques as required by ADA accrediting standards.
DENTL 224B 1204.10
Dental Radiology II
3 units: 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
Prerequisite: DENTL 220A, 220B, 221, 222, 223, 224A and 225
Corequisite: DENTL 226, 227, 228A, 228B and 229
Recommended Preparation: DENTL 251and 252, ENGL 201B or higher, PSYCH 1A and COMM 1A or 20 or 45
Advanced principles of radiation and radiation safety and protection; intermediate and advanced principles of radiology including film placement, angulation and exposures; extensive instruction in anatomical identification and interpretation of radiologic images; specialty radiographic procedures such as digital radiographs, occlusal films, and pedo FMX; experience in exposing film on human subjects and advanced darkroom/processing procedures; and community service project serving underserved population within the local area.
DENTL 225 1204.10
Dental Materials and Lab Procedures
3 units: 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
Corequisites: DENTL 220A, 221, 222, 223 and 224A
Recommended Preparation: DENTL 251and 252, ENGL 201B or higher, PSYCH 1A and COMM 1A or 45
The study and safe manipulation of dental materials used in operative and restorative dental procedures. Characteristics of usage of instruments and lab equipment, safety and health hazards, and patient safety.
DENTL 226 1204.10
Advanced Chairside Procedures
3 units: 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
Prerequisite: DENTL 220A, 220B, 221, 222, 223, 224A and 225
Corequisite: DENTL 224B, 227, 228A, 228B and 229
Recommended Preparation: DENTL 251and 252, ENGL 201B or higher, PSYCH 1A and COMM 1A or 20 or 45
Advanced study of dental specialties: endodontics, pediatrics, oral surgery, orthodontics, and periodontics to reflect Dental Board of California educational requirements and preparation for the California Registered Dental Assistant examination.
DENTL 227 1204.10
Biodental Sciences
2 units: 2 hours lecture
Prerequisite: DENTL 222
Corequisite: DENTL 228
Recommended Preparation: DENTL 251 and 252, ENGL 201B or higher,PSYCH 1A, and COMM 1A or 45
Emphasis on oral pathology relating to occupational hazards, identification of oral lesions and dental pharmacology. Preparation for office emergencies, both medical and dental, legal responsibility of assistants and patient health and safety.
DENTL 228 1204.10
Clinical Rotations and Review
7 units: 2 hours lecture, 16 hours lab
Corequisites: DENTL 224B and DENTL 226 or California State X-ray Certification
Recommended Preparation: DENTL 251and 252, ENGL 201B or higher, PSYCH 1A and COMM 1A or 45
Provide review and evaluation of clinical rotations at private offices and dental schools. Review dental office evaluation, interviewing techniques, resume writing and employment agreements; written mock and practical exams to prepare for the state board exams.
DENTL 229 1204.10
Practice Management
1.5 units: 1.5 hours lecture, 2 hours lab
Corequisite: DENTL 228
Recommended Preparation: BUS 230D-F, CIS 205, DENTL 251and 252, ENGL 201B or higher, PSYCH 1A and COMM 1A or 45
Receptionist and office management duties including patient relationships, telephone techniques, inventory control, chart management, dental records, correspondence, filing, appointment and recall systems; computer program skills to include dental software relating to accounts payable/ receivable, insurance forms, and banking procedures.
DENTL 248AA-FZ 1204.10
Selected Topics in Dental Assisting
0.5-9 units: 0-9 hours lecture, 0-27 hours lab
See section on Selected Topics.
DENTL 251 1404.10
Dental Terminology
1 unit: 1 hours lecture
Study of terminology related to body structure, pathological conditions and diseases, operative terms and techniques including laboratory diagnostic procedures.
DENTL 252 1404.10
Overview of the Dental Assisting Program
1 unit: 1 hour lecture
Introductory study and basic overview of the dental assisting profession including professionalism, restorative materials, infection control procedures, and dental techniques including laboratory procedures.
Requirements
Recommendations for Successful Completion of the Dental Assisting Program
To successfully complete the Dental Assisting Certificate Program, it is highly recommended that the following be achieved prior to enrollment in Fall term courses:
Completion of BUS 230D-F: Keyboarding and CIS 205: Computer Literacy.
Requirements for Certificate of Achievement in the Dental Assisting Program
To receive a Certificate of Completion in Dental Assisting, it is required that the student completes the following:
Physical and dental examinations and negative TB and hepatitis test results submitted prior to enrollment in DENTL 223.
Completion of all Dental Assisting courses with a grade of 2.0 (“C”) or better.
Prerequisite Courses: HLTED 9 – First Aid and Safety and HLTED11 – Cardiopulmonary Resucitation.
CPR and First Aid class may be taken at any of the four Peralta Community Colleges (HLTED 9 and HLTED 11) or the local Red Cross or American Heart Association. A copy of a CPR certification must be current and on file in the Dental Assisting Department. Students who plan to apply for the CDA and RDA examinations must complete the course work outline for Certificate of Completion in Dental Assisting. CPR certification must be current when applying to both CDA and RDA examinations.
An AS/AA degree is also available for additional course requirements. A counseling session with a College of Alameda counselor is strongly advised. Dental Assisting Program requirements will be strictly adhered to regardless of possible conflict with College catalog or published schedule of courses.
* Sequencing of all courses must be followed by all DA students.