Dental Assistant - A.A.S. Degree - Dakota County Technical College | DCTC - a 2-Year Minnesota School Offering Associate Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs to the Twin Cities, MN

Dental Assistant - A.A.S. Degree

This is a suggested sample course sequence.
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2023-2024 Required Courses

First Year - Fall Semester

Course Title	Credits
DENT 1100 Dental Science DENT - 1100: Dental Science Description DENT 1100 This course provides an overview of basic normal body structure and function including an understanding of the common disease process. Special attention will be given to a comprehensive overview of the oral anatomical structures, functions, and development of the oral cavity, as well as the identification of structures of the head and neck and their functions. Prerequisites: Admission to Dental Assisting Program Credits: 4 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: DENT1100 — PDF	4
DENT 1110 Pre-Clinical Dental Assisting DENT - 1110: Pre-Clinical Dental Assisting Description DENT 1110 This course will introduce the student to the health and safety considerations for basic infection control and dental emergencies. Topics will include occupational exposure risks, personal protection, exposure control, hazard communication standards, and medical waste disposal, as defined by government guidelines and regulations including OSHA standards. Special attention will be given on how to reduce the risk of transmission of disease commonly found in the dental office between dental assistants and patients, including various sterilization and disinfection techniques. This course will also discuss the prevention and treatment of medical emergencies commonly found in the dental office. The student will have a basic understanding of the classification, administration, use, and effects of drugs commonly used in a dental office. Prerequisites: Admission to Dental Assisting Program Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: DENT1110 — PDF	3
DENT 1120 Dental Health DENT - 1120: Dental Health Description DENT 1120 This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge necessary to instruct a patient in proper oral hygiene and explain the benefits of fluoride. It also will provide the students with basic nutritional concepts and their practical applications. Prerequisites: Admission to Dental Assisting Program Credits: 2 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: DENT1120 — PDF	2
DENT 1135 Chairside Assisting I DENT - 1135: Chairside Assisting I Description DENT 1135 This course introduces the student to the fundamentals of working in a dental office setting as a chairside assistant. It introduces concepts of dental charting, techniques of basic equipment, supplies, four-handed dentistry, oral evacuation and instrument identification and their proper use. This course also provides an introduction to the psychology of patient management skills necessary for effective interaction with patients. Credits: 4 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: DENT1135 — PDF	4
DENT 1145 Dental Materials DENT - 1145: Dental Materials Description DENT 1145 This course provides the student with the knowledge and practical application of dental materials commonly found in the dental office. Emphasis will be on chemical and physical properties, uses, types and applications. Students will be able to identify uses for specific dental products and be aware of specific care and storage properties of various materials. Credits: 4 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: DENT1145 — PDF	4
Total Semester Credits:	17

First Year - Spring Semester

Course Title	Credits
DENT 1250 Radiology DENT - 1250: Radiology Description DENT 1250 This course requires instructor approval if not taken in the semester sequence. This course assists the student with an understanding of how radiation is produced, principles of protection for the patient and the operator, and techniques for processing radiographs as well as identifying processing errors. This course covers the techniques used in exposing intraoral radiographs as well as technical errors and corrections. Students will learn to mount and evaluate films for their diagnostic value. The student will be exposed to the extraoral accessory films utilized in the dental office and the procedural techniques for exposing them. Prerequisites: Admission to Dental Assisting Program or instructor permission Credits: 5 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Course Outline: DENT1250 — PDF	5
DENT 1260 Expanded Functions DENT - 1260: Expanded Functions Description DENT 1260 This course prepares the assistant to perform all functions legally performed by a licensed dental assistant (LDA) according to the Minnesota Dental Practice Act. This course covers the following expanded functions: alginate impressions for opposing models and study casts with bite registration, mechanical polishing of the clinical crowns, application of topical fluoride, rubber dam applications and removal, application of topical medications, orthodontic skills of preselecting orthodontic bands, removing and replacing ligature ties, and placement and removal of elastic separators. Also included are suture removal, placement and removal of periodontal dressings, adaptation of temporary crowns, cement removal, pit and fissure sealants, enamel etching, removal of bonding material, gingival displacement, dry root canal with paper points, place cotton pellets and temporary restorative materials into endodonlic openings, and nitrous oxide monitoring. Prerequisites: Admission to Dental Assisting Program or instructor approval Credits: 5 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Course Outline: DENT1260 — PDF	5
DENT 1275 Chairside Assisting II DENT - 1275: Chairside Assisting II Description DENT 1275 This course furthers knowledge of chairside assisting duties by presenting tray set-ups and the restorative process to help further the development of basic skills of four handed dentistry. This course also introduces basic concepts of the different specialities in dentistry, including orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, pediatrics, prosthodontics, and oral pathology. The student will be taught to identify the instruments, materials, and procedures needed to gain skills in assisting the dentist with each speciality. Credits: 4 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Course Outline: DENT1275 — PDF	4
DENT 1280 Dental Practice Management DENT - 1280: Dental Practice Management Description DENT 1280 This course is an overview of duties performed by a dental assistant with emphasis on patient registration, medical history forms, telephone skills, appointments, recordkeeping, and correspondence. It also will provide the student with knowledge of professional ethics and dental laws with emphasis on the Minnesota Dental Practice Act. Students will write the Minnesota Dental Jurisprudence Exam. Prerequisites: Admission to Dental Assisting Program or instructor permission Credits: 2 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Course Outline: DENT1280 — PDF	2
Total Semester Credits:	16

First Year - Summer Session

Course Title	Credits
DENT 2970 EXTERNSHIP: Dental Assistant DENT - 2970: EXTERNSHIP: Dental Assistant Description DENT 2970 This course provides the student with actual experience assisting in an off-campus clinical setting in private dental offices, group practices, or specialty dental offices. Prerequisites: Prior completion of all Dental Assisting courses or instructor approval Credits: 7 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Summer 2024 Course Outline: DENT2970 — PDF	7
Total Semester Credits:	7

Second Year - Fall Semester

Course Title	Credits
COMS 1020 Interpersonal Communication COMS - 1020: Interpersonal Communication Description COMS 1020 This course is intended to increase student's awareness of the processes, models, and theories of interpersonal communication relative to relationships that impact people's personal and professional lives. Through self-analysis and reflection, case studies, practical application, and critical thinking, students will examine the influence of communicative behaviors on themselves, their personal relationships, groups, and society. Concepts include self-esteem, self-fulfilling prophecies, perception, ethics, emotion, conflict, cultural awareness, language, nonverbal communication, social media, and listening. Meets Goal 7. Meets MNTC Goal 1 Fall 2016 and after. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Summer 2024 MNTC Goals: 1,7 Course Outline: COMS1020 — PDF	3
ENGL 1150 Composition I ENGL - 1150: Composition I Description ENGL 1150 This course emphasizes the process of writing expository and persuasive essays using effective writing skills and a variety of research techniques. Also included in the course content are critical reading and logical reasoning. Meets MnTC Goal 1. Prerequisites: See course details in eServices for prerequisite information. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: Please go to E-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Summer 2024 MNTC Goals: 1 Course Outline: ENGL1150 — PDF	3
General Education Credits (Any MnTC Goal Area) ‡ (Any MnTC Goal Area)" aria-hidden="true"> GENE - 0000: General Education Credits (Any MnTC Goal Area) Description GENE 0000 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: GENE0000 — PDF	3
General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3) ‡ (MnTC Goal 3)" aria-hidden="true"> MNTC - 3: General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3) Description MNTC 3 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: MNTC3 — PDF OR General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 4) ‡ (MnTC Goal 4)" aria-hidden="true"> MNTC - 4: General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 4) Description MNTC 4 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: MNTC4 — PDF	4
PHIL 1350 Medical Ethics PHIL - 1350: Medical Ethics Description PHIL 1350 This course introduces students to basic issues in medical ethics. Emphasis will be placed on the process of considering ethical theory, ethical principles, and laws in the analysis of specific cases. This course will be of special interest to students in health-related programs though students in any program will find the study of medical ethics worthwhile. Suggested Accuplacer reading cut score over 78 and completion of ENGL 1150: Composition I. Meets MnTC Goal 6 and Goal 9. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Summer 2024 MNTC Goals: 6,9 Course Outline: PHIL1350 — PDF	3
PSYC 1350 Lifespan Development PSYC - 1350: Lifespan Development Description PSYC 1350 This psychology course is an introduction and overview of the scientific study of development throughout the life span from prenatal through old age, death, dying and bereavement from a developmental perspective. Credits: 4 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Summer 2024 MNTC Goals: 5,7 Course Outline: PSYC1350 — PDF	4
Total Semester Credits:	20

Total Credits:	60

‡ Select General Education electives from specified MnTC goal area or from any MnTC goals if none specified.

**Dental Assistant A.A.S. students are required to obtain a C or higher on all DENT and general education courses.

Dental Assistant - A.A.S. Degree

2023-2024 Required Courses

First Year - Fall Semester

First Year - Spring Semester

First Year - Summer Session

Second Year - Fall Semester

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Rosemount Campus