Schools & Divisions
Dental Education
Dental Assistant Courses
- DAST-A 111 Oral Pathology, Physiology, and Anatomy I (2 cr.) An overview of the structure and function of the body, starting with the basic tissues, organs, and organic systems; followed by the mechanisms of disease with emphasis on the head and neck region. (Spring)
- DAST-A 112 Dental and Medical Emergencies and Therapeutics (2 cr.) Recognition and clinical experience of systemic emergencies. Comprehensive study of the physiological, toxicological, and therapeutic effects of drugs on living organisms, with emphasis on their rational application in the treatment of disease. Content includes discussions of drugs that are widely prescribed by physicians and dentists. (Fall)
- DAST-A 113 Oral Pathology, Physiology, and Anatomy II (1 cr.) An overview of the diseases of the human body including basic cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems, with specific emphasis on diseases of the face and mouth. (Spring)
- DAST-A 121 Microbiology and Asepsis Techniques (2 cr.) An overview of microbiological aspects of health and disease, with emphasis on current infection control protocol. (Fall)
- DAST-A 131 Dental Materials I (2 cr.) These courses [Dental Materials I and II] are designed to acquaint the student with the basic mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of dental materials and the effect of manipulation procedures on those properties. The exact role of properties in the usage and behavior of materials is stressed. Also, biological considerations are covered. (Spring)
- DAST-A 132 Dental Materials II (2 cr.) These courses [Dental Materials I and II] are designed to acquaint the student with the basic mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of dental materials and the effect of manipulation procedures on those properties. The exact role of properties in the usage and behavior of materials is stressed. Also, biological considerations are covered. (Summer I)
- DAST-A 141 Preventive Dentistry (2 cr.) Etiology of prevalent oral diseases and their prevention, with particular emphasis on plaque, plaque control, and fluorides. The effects of major nutrients on the physiologic body processes; applied nutrition in dental caries and periodontal disease. (Spring)
- DAST-A 152 Radiology Clinic II (1 cr.) Clinical experience in the placing, exposing, processing, evaluating, and mounting of intraoral and extraoral dental radiographs. Practical application of radiation safety measures is required in the clinical setting. (Summer II)
- DAST-A 161 Behavioral Science (1 cr.) An introduction to psychology applicable in the dental office, emphasizing communication and personal relationships; the role of the dental assistant as seen by the dentist, office personnel, and patient. Attitude, personality, motivation, and habit formation are discussed from a dental perspective. (Summer I)
- DAST-A 162 Oral and Written Communications (2 cr.) Instruction and practice in gathering and organizing material for written and oral presentation. Individual and group projects in communication, including table clinics' posters and professional articles for presentation and/or publication. (Summer II)
- DAST-A 171 Clinical Science I (5 cr.) A core course in dental nomenclature; historical developments in dentistry; role of assistant as member of the dental health team; dental specialties; charting the mouth; identification and utilization of instruments and equipment; principles of dental procedures and instrument transfer. (Fall)
- DAST-A 172 Clinical Science II (5 cr.) Clinical chairside experience in extramural assignments with a seminar to provide opportunities for students to share experiences. (Spring)
- DAST-A 182 Practice Management, Ethics, and Jurisprudence (2 cr.) Study of legal and ethical aspects of dentistry. Dental practice management in reception procedures, appointment control, clinical and financial records, purchasing, and inventory control. Preparation of a resume, letter of application, and interviewing techniques. (Summer II)
- DAST-H 214 Oral Anatomy (3 cr.) A study of the morphology, structure, and function of deciduous and permanent teeth and their surrounding tissues, including the osteology of the maxilla and mandible, the nerve and vascular supply of teeth, the muscles of mastication, and the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint. (Fall)
- DAST-H 224 Oral Histology and Embryology (1 cr.) A study of the histological aspects of the tooth and periodontium, including enamel, dentin, cementum, pulp, periodontal ligament, bone and alveolar process, gingiva, and oral mucous membrane and a study of the embryologic development of the face and teeth. (Summer II)
- DAST-H 242 Introduction to Dentistry (1 cr.) An overview of the specialties of dentistry with emphasis on the dental personnel's role within each of the dental specialties. (Summer I)
- DAST-H 303 Radiology I (2 cr.) The principles of radiation production, theories of radiographic image formation, chemistry of film processing, radiation hygiene, and interpretation of processed radiographs. Laboratory experience includes placement of intraoral film and proper exposure and processing of film. (Summer I)
