Dental Assisting Courses

These courses are only for those students enrolled in the Dental Assisting program.

CHDA 1107 Dental Radiology Theory (1.5 credits)

The purpose of this course is to help the student develop an understanding of the basic principles of clinical dental radiography. Current radiographics techniques will be covered with the emphasis being on safe and effective use of x-rays in dental practice.

Prerequisite: None

Lecture: 30 hours

Offered: Fall

CHDA 1108 Applied Dental Sciences (1 credit)

This course provides the student with the skills, values and the knowledge required to prevent disease transmission and to practice effective infection control procedures in the dental environment.

Prerequisite: None

Lecture: 15 hours

Offered: Fall

CHDA 1109 Applied Anatomy for Dental Assistants (3 credits)

This course will provide the student with the basic knowledge of the structures of the face and oral cavity. Integration of this knowledge is required by Level II dental assistants in clinical practice.

Prerequisite: None

Lecture/Practice: 60 hours

Offered: Fall

CHDA 1111 Basic Dental Assisting Skills (9 credits)

This course will provide the student with the skills required to perform basic dental assisting procedures and a clinical environment to apply and adapt knowledge related to infection control, patient records, dental radiology and anatomy.

Prerequisite: None

Clinical Experience: 60 hours

Simulation Environment: 120 hours

Field Experience: 60 hours

Offered: Fall

CHDA 1118 Reception Skills for Dental Assistants (1 credit)

This course will provide the learner with the knowledge, skills and values related to the fundamental principles of dental office management, focusing on basic dental reception procedures. The course will include the organization and management of client records, appointment scheduling, insurance claims, financial records and inventory control systems.

Prerequisite: None

Lecture/Practice: 15 hours; Field Experience: 5 hours

Offered: Fall

CHDA 1212 Dental Health Education (3 credits)

In this course the student will provide dental health education to a variety of individuals and groups. The student will perform an oral assessment and provide individualized oral health instruction, based on the various needs of the patient.

Prerequisites: CHDA 1108, 1109

Lecture/Practice: 55 hours; Field Experience: 5 hours

Offered: Winter

CHDA 1214 Plan for Direct Patient Care (3 credits)

This course will provide the student with knowledge, skills and values required by a Level II Certified Dental Assistant to perform direct patient care. An ethical decision-making framework will enable students to utilize problem-solving skills to plan for and manage direct patient care and to respond to patient-specific needs as they relate to the clinical practice of a Level II Certified Dental Assistant.

Prerequisite: CHDA 1109, 1111, 1107, 1108

Lecture/Discussion: 60 hours

Field Experience: 5 hours

Offered: Winter

CHDA 1215 Applied Nutrition/Pharmacology (1.5 credits)

This course will provide the student with a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of nutrition and pharmacology as they apply to the role of a Level II Certified Dental Assistant. The nutrition portion of this course will include an emphasis on the relationship between nutrition and dental health. The pharmacology portion of this course will emphasize commonly administered dental drugs.

Prerequisite: CHDA 1109

Lecture: 30 hours

Offered: Winter

CHDA 1216 Dental Assisting Theory (1.5 credits)

This course will provide the student with the skills, knowledge and values necessary for the dental assistant's role in basic restorative and specialty procedures. This will include an emphasis on the clinical uses and handling of dental materials.

Prerequisites: CHDA 1108, 1109, 1111

Lecture/Practice: 30 hours; Field Experience: 15 hours

Offered: Winter

CHDA 1217 Advanced Dental Assisting Skills (9 credits)

This course will provide the student with the skills, knowledge and values required to assist with basic restorative and specialty procedures, to take and process dental radiographs, and to obtain study model impressions. This will include an emphasis on the clinical application and adaptation of dental assisting theory to a variety of specialty areas, different situations and different operator preferences.

Prerequisites: CHDA 1111, 1107, 1108, 1109, 1118

Corequisite: CHDA 1216

Clinical Instruction: 67.5 hours

Simulation Environment: 150 hours

Field Experience: 54.5 hours

Offered: Winter

CHDA 1360 Provide Direct Patient Care (5 credits)

This clinical and practicum experience will provide an environment for the student to apply and adapt knowledge and skills related to medical histories, oral assessment, rubber cup polish, topical fluoride, desensitizing agents, radiographs, fissure sealants, dental health education and emergency situations.

Prerequisite: CHDA 1212, 1214, 1215, 1216, 1217

Clinical Experience: 76 hours

Field Experience: 120 hours

Offered: Summer