This course will introduce students to the dental assisting profession including disease transmission and prevention; laws and ethics that regulate the dental industry; background, knowledge, and skills in assessing a patient’s overall health; and the foundational knowledge, basic principles and techniques for film-based and digital imaging to be able to produce diagnostic-quality images.

Students will learn about the human body and how the basic human anatomy, physiology, and tooth morphology plays a key part in the role of a dental assistant. Students will be able to identify in detail the structures of the oral cavity, learn about the early development of the mouth as well as any developmental disturbances that can take place. Students will use their knowledge of dentition every day in a career as a dental assistant.

Students will learn about preclinical skills and how dental care is delivered in a dental practice, beginning with the patient’s first impression of the dental office. Students will learn the crucial role as part of the dental healthcare team; ensuring that patient’s receive quality care and education.

Students will learn why dental materials are an essential part of most dental procedures and how the role of the dental assistant is an integral part of the chairside team. This course will provide students with the background knowledge and skills necessary to become competent with the dental materials used in the clinical setting.

Oral health is a critical component of our general health and well-being. In this course students will learn why it’s important for the dental healthcare team to educate patients on oral hygiene and its effects on our bodies and overall well-being.

This course will provide students with a level of knowledge and skill that will prepare students for the general clinical procedures

This course will provide students with a level of knowledge and skill that will prepare students for fixed prosthodontics, removable prosthodontics and provisional restoration procedures.

This course will provide students with a level of knowledge and skill that will prepare them for advanced specialty procedures.

Students will learn about the business aspect of a dental practice. Students will learn how it is managed and operated efficiently.

In this course students will apply and build upon their basic knowledge and skills as a dental assistant in the clinical setting. They will demonstrate the core competencies and skills they’ve learned throughout the program and build upon them to achieve competency standards for the professional dental assistant.

This course will expand on the values of professionalism: competence, fairness, integrity, responsibility, respect, and service that surround people daily. Students will learn the importance of continuing education in the dental industry. Students will be provided skills on how to create a professional resume, cover letter, and reference sheet, as well as interviewing techniques and etiquette.

In this course students will apply the knowledge and skills in the clinical setting where they will perform competency standards that were learned throughout the program. Students will be evaluated and held to high standards that meet the requirements in becoming a professional dental assistant.