Course Descriptions
Dental Assistant
Course offerings vary from year to year. Check Generate a Timetable for available course offerings.
DENA 110T Professionalism I
An introduction to the fundamental principals of professionalism as they relate to the dental team and patient management. (1.5:0:0 for 15.3 weeks)
Prerequisite: Admission to program.
DENA 111T Professionalism II
A continuation of DENA 110T, focusing on the use of professional interpersonal skills when interacting with patients and co-workers. An introduction to current issues / interests in dentistry and information regarding the governing body and related associations for licensed dental assistants. (1.2:0:0 for 20 weeks)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester I courses.
DENA 120T Applied Dental Sciences I
A study of basic anatomy, physiology, and radiography as they relate to the head, neck, and oral cavity, focusing on the clinical application of dental radiographs. (3:0:0 for 15.3 weeks)
Prerequisite: Admission to program.
DENA 121T Applied Dental Sciences II
An introduction to oral pathology and pharmacology, focusing on differentiation of normal and abnormal oral tissues and basic concepts of pharmacology as they relate to dentistry. A continuation of Semester I Radiography, focusing on patient management and quality control. (1.6:0:0 for 20 weeks)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester I courses.
DENA 130T Clinical Support Theory I
A study of the theory and concepts of basic dental assisting practice, focusing on the theoretical knowledge pertaining to the fundamental skills associated with dental assisting. (2.8:0:0 for 15.3 weeks)
Prerequisite: Admission to program.
DENA 131T Clinical Support Theory II
A continuation of DENA 130T, stressing basic theory of specialized dentistry and the dental assistant's role during specialty practice. (1.9:0:0 for 20 weeks)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester I courses.
DENA 140T Preventive Approaches to Dental Health I
A survey of the basic theory and concepts related to effective oral health practices. Topics include the assistant's role during health history documentation, medical emergencies, and community dental health. (2:0:0 for 15.3 weeks)
Prerequisite: Admission to program.
DENA 141T Preventive Approaches to Dental Health II
An introduction to the knowledge necessary to perform direct patient care, to care for the special needs' patient, and to develop individual or group oral health education. (1.5:0:0 for 20 weeks)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester I courses.
DENA 150T Dental Assisting Practice I
An opportunity to practice clinical support and laboratory procedures, as well as direct patient care. Integrates the concepts of professional conduct, safe practice, and effective communication, utilizing the theory content from all Semester I courses. (0:0:18.7 for 15.3 weeks)
Prerequisite: Admission to program.
DENA 151T Dental Assisting Practice II
An opportunity to practice direct patient care, clinical support for basic restorative and specialty procedures, laboratory and office management procedures. Stresses the integration of professional conduct, safe practice, and effective communication into all dental assisting practice. Semesters I and II theory courses provide the supporting knowledge to practice as a Certified Dental Assistant. (0:0:19.4 for 20 weeks)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester I courses.
DENA 161T Dental Office Management
A study of the fundamental principles of dental office management, focusing on basic dental reception skills. (2.4:0:0 for 20 weeks)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester I courses.
DENA 171T Practicum I
An opportunity for dental assisting practice in a general dentistry office, enabling the integration into a practice setting of the skills and knowledge acquired in the early portion of Semester I. (0:0:0 —21 for 1 weeks)
Prerequisite: Admission to program.
DENA 172T Practicum II
A further opportunity for dental assisting practice in a general dentistry office, enabling the student to build on the skills and knowledge learned and to integrate them into a practice setting. (0:0:0 —70 for 2 weeks)
Prerequisite: Successful completion Semester I courses.
DENA 173T Practicum III
An opportunity for dental assisting practice in a general dentistry office, providing an opportunity to demonstrate clinical competency while integrating the skills and knowledge acquired during Semesters I and II. (0:0:0 —105 for 3 weeks)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of DENA 151T and DENA 172T.