DA - Dental Assisting
DA 101 - Infection Control in the Dental Office/Sterilization Technician Units: 4
Introduction to infection prevention in the dental office and management of hazardous materials. Hazardous materials management, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, personal protective equipment (PPE), and disease transmission protocol. Introduction and application of surface disinfection and instrument sterilization techniques. This course can be used for preparation for the Dental Assisting National Board Infection Control Exam. The information in this course can be used by those individuals seeking a position as a dental sterilization technician. *This is an online course with three mandatory class/lab meetings. Discussion participation is required.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
DA 102 - Entry Level Radiation Health and Safety Units: 3
Introduction to radiation health and safety protocols for those students needing formal training, more experience, new hires, and on the job trained assistants. This course can assist in preparing the student to take the Dental Assisting National Board Radiation Health and Safety Examination. General dental anatomy and terminology. Placing, exposing, developing and mounting intraoral films, and taking digital X-rays. Infection control techniques will be practiced during film exposure and processing. Hybrid course online and mandatory six mandatory lab meetings.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
DA 103 - Introduction to the Basics of Clinical Dental Assisting Units: 4
Introduction to Clinical Dental Assisting entry-level skills for those students requiring formal training, new hires, and on the job trained assistants. Introduction to the history of dental assisting, general dental anatomy, professional and legal aspects of dental assisting. Introduction to medical emergencies in the dental office, patient pain, and anxiety control. Introduction to basic preventative, restorative, and laboratory procedures. Including moisture control, alginate impressions, office pours, coronal polishing, and sealants. Hybrid course online and mandatory lab meetings.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
DA 109 - Dental Careers Exploration Units: 1
This exploration of dental careers course is designed to introduce students to the varied career opportunities in the dental field. Students will gain a greater knowledge of the roles and tasks as well as skills and education required to work as a sterilization tech, dental assistant, dental hygienist, practice manager, and general or specialty dentist, such as an orthodontist. In this course, students will be introduced to information designed to assist them in selecting a dental career that works best for them.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
DA 110 - Orientation to Dental Assisting Units: 2
A survey of dental careers to include the legal, ethical, moral and professional responsibilities of dental personnel in the practice of dentistry. Personal requirements, professional conduct, interpersonal relationships, methods of acquiring and training certification of the dental assistant, recognition of dental forms, an introduction to dental and medical terminology, cultural considerations in patient care and interprofessional practice. Two (2) hour of class time per week.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Dental Assisting Program.
Term Offered: Fall
DA 111 - Dental Radiography I Units: 3
The intraoral paralleling technique with its variables; production, characteristics and biologic effects of radiation; function, components and operation of the X-ray unit; radiation protection and monitoring; components and care of X-ray film; chemistry and techniques associated with X-ray film and the developing solutions. Review of anatomical landmarks, X-ray placement, identification and correction of radiographic errors; recording pertinent data; specialized procedures and techniques for pediatric dentistry.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Dental Assisting Program.
Term Offered: Fall
DA 112 - Dental/Head and Neck Anatomy Units: 3
The anatomy and physiology of the head and neck are included. Embryology, histology, tooth morphology, occlusion, and periodontal tissues are studied with special emphasis on tooth forms. Developmental and structural defects involving the oral cavity and teeth. Three (3) hours lecture are required per week.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Dental Assisting Program.
Term Offered: Fall
DA 113 - Dental Assisting I Units: 1
This course is an introduction to the Dental Office, the Dental Team and the Profession of Dental Assisting to include the foundations of delivery of care, familiarity with: dental anatomy, infection control, instruments and emergency protocols.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
DA 114 - Dental Assisting II Units: 1
This course is an introduction to Dental Radiology, Prevention of Dental diseases, Restorative Treatment, Laboratory procedures and Lab/Clinical Dental Technology. Dental Specialties will also be explored as they compare to General Dentistry.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: DA 113
DA 115 - Dental Health Education Units: 1
Principles of preventive dentistry to include: nutritional physiology, essentials and counseling effect of nutrition on dental health; epidemiology, etiology and prevention of dental disease; design and management of a plaque control program and additional preventive measures, i.e., fluoride and sealant utilization. One (1) hour of class time per week is required.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Dental Assisting Program.
Term Offered: Fall
DA 116 - Preclinical Dental Science Units: 1.5
Principles of microbiology, disease transmission, the universal numbering system, dental clinical charting with geometric and anatomical representations, periodontal charting, local anesthetic, vital signs and emergency prevention are discussed in depth. An introduction to body systems; respiratory and circulatory as they impact dental care delivery are presented.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Dental Assisting Program.
Term Offered: Fall
DA 117 - Dental Materials and Techniques I Units: 2
An in-depth, comprehensive course of the properties, techniques and manipulation of dental materials used in operative dentistry. The dental materials discussed are bases and varnishes, amalgam and components, aesthetic and posterior composites, cements and impression materials. One two-hour lecture each week.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Dental Assisting Program.
Term Offered: Fall
DA 119 - Dental Chairside Procedures Units: 5
A course designed for the development of laboratory proficiency in the dexterity and professional competencies needed to assist in four and six handed dentistry procedures utilized in general dentistry. Demonstration of proper posture and form at chair side, positive communication, sterilization and disinfecting, manipulation of dental materials, adherence to infection control protocols and OSHA requirements of instrument names. Use and care are stressed. Two hours of lecture and eleven (11) hours laboratory are required each week. Completion of this course satisfies 3 hours of instruction toward completing the embedded math curriculum requirements, in accordance with Embedded Curriculum Guidelines Option A.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Dental Assisting Program.
Term Offered: Fall
DA 121 - Dental Radiography II Units: 2
This course is designed to be a continuation of DA 111 and additional instruction in advanced techniques of dental radiography. DA 121 consists of a combination of classroom/ laboratory and online resources. This course will cover: The bisecting the angle technique with its variables. To include the following: digital radiology, evaluation of film/image quality, recognition of anomalies with differential tissue densities, preliminary film interpretation for charting, specialized procedures for endodontics, panoramic radiography, lateral jaw and skull surveys, radiology techniques adapted to manikins and adult human patients, and legal considerations.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Dental Assisting Program.
Term Offered: Spring
DA 122 - Clinical Dental Science Units: 2
A continuation of DA 112 including the study of oral pathology, pharmacology, medical emergencies. Also included is an introduction of body systems: muscular, skeletal, endocrine, exocrine and reproductive systems.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Dental Assisting Program.
Term Offered: Spring
DA 123 - Practice Management and Procedures Units: 1-3
Principles of dental office routine, management of dental office supplies, team responsibilities, receptionist and secretarial duties, dental bookkeeping, appointment control, laboratory prescriptions, letter writing, collections, telephone technique and filing. Employment interview techniques, employee rights and benefits, and an introduction to computer application in a dental office.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Dental Assisting Program.
Term Offered: Spring
DA 125 - Supervised Clinical I Units: 5
A continuation of DA 119 elevating laboratory proficiency to clinical proficiency in accordance with the State Dental Practice Act during one (1) to two (2) rotations in selected private dental practices and public clinics. One hour lecture and 16 to 24 clinical experience hours per week. Students are expected to complete 180-225 clinical hours of the program total of 300 clinical hours, in this course.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Dental Assisting Program.
Term Offered: Spring
DA 127 - Dental Materials and Lab Techniques II Units: 2
A practical, hands-on study of dental laboratory equipment safety and utilization of materials such as plaster/stone/die, model trimming, custom tray acrylic, aluminum and acrylic temporaries, simple orthodontic appliances and prosthodontic cleaning and polishing.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Dental Assisting Program.
Term Offered: Spring
DA 135 - Supervised Clinical II Units: 5
A continuation of DA 125 with clinical training in dental specialties, i.e., endodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics and an overview of oral pathology and dental public health. Thirty (30) hours of lecture and 128 hours of clinical experience are required.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Dental Assisting Program.
Term Offered: SUMMER
DA 137 - Specialized Dental Assisting Units: 1
An introduction to dental assisting as it relates to the specialties in dentistry, orthodontics, pedodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, and prosthodontics. A survey of the role of the dental assistant in public health dentistry is included.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Dental Assisting Program.
Term Offered: SUMMER
DA 198 - Special Topics Dental Assisting Units: 0.5-6
Various short courses and experimental classes covering a variety of subjects. The course will be a variable credit of one-half to six credits depending on the course content and number of hours required. The course may be repeated for up to six credits.
DA 285 - Selected Topics in Dental Assisting Units: 1-6
A course designed to assist the working dental assistant in updating, reviewing and increasing proficiency in a variety of dental assisting areas. One (1) hour class time per week for each credit is required.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Dental Assisting Program.
DA 290 - Internship in Dental Assisting Units: 1-8
A course designed wherein students will apply knowledge to real on-the-job situations in a program designed by a company official and a faculty advisor to maximize learning experiences. Available to students who have completed all core and major requirements and have a 2.5 GPA. Contact the appropriate chairperson for the application, screening and required skills evaluation. Up to 8 semester hour credits may be earned on the basis of 100 hours of internship for 1 credit. May be repeated for up to 8 credits.
