Courses

Course offerings vary from year to year. Check Generate a Timetable for available course offerings.

DENA 110T Professionalism I

An introduction to the fundamental principles of professionalism as they relate to the dental team and client management.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

DENA 111T Professionalism II

A continuation of DENA 110T, focusing on the use of professional interpersonal skills when interacting with clients and co-workers. An introduction to current issues/interests in dentistry and information regarding the governing body and related associations for certified dental assistants.

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.

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. Topics include nutrition and radiography with an emphasis on client management and quality of care.

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.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

DENA 131T Clinical Support Theory II

A continuation of DENA 130T and introduction to dental specialties. Topics include basic concepts of specialized dentistry and the role of the dental assistant.

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 vital signs.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

DENA 141T Preventive Approaches to Dental Health II

An introduction to the knowledge necessary to perform direct client care, manage clients with special needs, and develop individual or group oral health education. Topics include the role of the assistant in community dental health.

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 client care. Topics include integration of professional conduct, safe practice, effective communication, and theory from other courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

DENA 151T Dental Assisting Practice II

An opportunity to integrate and consolidate knowledge and skills, focusing on direct client care; clinical support for basic restorative and specialty procedures; laboratory and office management procedures. Topics include incorporation of professional conduct, safe practice, effective communication, and theory from other courses that support the role of a dental assistant.

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.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester I courses.

DENA 171T Practicum I

An opportunity to integrate theory into practice, focusing on dental assisting in general dentistry.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

DENA 172T Practicum II

An opportunity to integrate theory into practice in a general dentistry office and to demonstrate consolidation of knowledge and skills in a supervised setting.

Prerequisite: Successful completion Semester I courses.

DENA 173T Practicum III

An opportunity to demonstrate integration and consolidation of knowledge, skills, and abilities within the realities of the workplace and become practice ready.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of DENA 151T and DENA 172T.