Dental Assisting Diploma
Curriculum Description
The Dental Assisting Curriculum prepares individual to assist the dentist in the delivery of dental treatment and to function as intergral members of the dental team while performing chair-side and related office and laboratory procedures.
Course work includes instruction in general studies, biomedical sciences, dental sciences, clinical sciences, and clinical practice. A combination of lecture, laboratory, and clinical experiences provide students with detailed knowledge in infection/hazard control, radiography, dental materials, preventive dentistry, and clinical procedures.
Upon graduation, graduates will be classified as a Dental Assistant II (DAII). A Dental Assistant II, as defined by the Dental Laws of North Carolina, can perform all legal expanded functions prescribed by a NC licensed dentist. Some of the many expanded functions a DA II can legally perform are: apply sealants, insert matrix bands and wedges, place cavity bases and liners, place and/or remove rubber dams, place and remove temporary restorations, take wax bites, remove sutures, expose radiographs, and perform coronal polish. (Further listing of DA II expanded functions can be found on NC State Board of Dental Examiners web site www.ncdentalboard.org.
Graduates may be eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board Examination to become Certified Dental Assistants (CDA). Graduates may work in private dental practices, dental clinics, dental specialty practices and other related areas.
Progression and Continuation
Dental Assisting students must maintain a minimum grade of C in each required core major course. If a minimum grade of C is not maintained in each required core major course, the Dental Assistant student will not be able to continue in the program.
*Core major courses or any course with a DEN prefix can only be taken by students currently enrolled in the Dental Assisting Program.
Semester by Semester Curriculum Plan
| Course Number | Course Title | Contact Hours | Credit Hours |
|
First Year
Fall -- 1st Semester | | | |
|
| ACA111 | College Student Success | 1 | 1 | | DEN100 | Basic Orofacial Anatomy | 2 | 2 | | DEN101 | Preclinical Procedures | 10 | 7 | | DEN102 | Dental Materials | 7 | 5 | | DEN111 | Infection/Hazard Control | 2 | 2 | | PSY102 | Human Relations | 2 | 2 | | | Semester Total | | 19 | Spring -- 2nd Semester | | | |
|
| DEN103 | Dental Sciences | 2 | 2 | | DEN104 | Dental Health Education | 4 | 3 | | DEN105 | Practice Management | 2 | 2 | | DEN106 | Clinical Practice I | 2.2 | 5 | | DEN112 | Dental Radiography | 5 | 3 | | ENG102 | Applied Communications II | 3 | 3 | | | Semester Total | | 18 | Summer -- 3rd Semester | | | |
|
| BIO106 | Intro to Anat/Phys/Micro | 4 | 3 | | DEN107 | Clinical Practice II | 2.2 | 5 | | | Semester Total | | 8 | | | Grand Total | | 45 |
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Dental Assisting
Spaces in the Dental Assisting Curriculum are limited. Students are accepted in the order that they complete their admissions requirements that include:
* Updated Application on file
* Hight school transcript or equivalent
* Official transcripts of all post-secondary education
* Placement testing or approved waiver in reading and writing with course re-
commendation at the ENG090 level or higher
* Placement testing or approved waiver in math with course recommendation at
the MAT070 level or higher.
* Appointment with Dental Assisting admissions counselor
**Core major courses or any course with a DEN prefix, can only be taken by students currently enrolled in the Dental Assisting Program.
The day program accepts approximately 30 students every August, with graduation in July of the following year. Students that do not get accepted into the current application year, will have to reapply to admissions for the following academic year. Students that decide to reapply to the dental assisting program will be required to meet current and/or new dental admissions requirements, if they occur while waiting for acceptance. Accepted students must provide a childhood immunization record that includes proof of HEP B vaccination, Td booster, Tuberculin Skin test, and current CPR (American Heart Association)by the first day of class as well as a dental examination verification.
Readmission to the Dental Assisting Curriculum
Students who withdraw or are dismissed for academic reasons or for violation of college policies must reapply for admission into the Dental Assisting program. Re-entry into the Dental Assisting Program will be re-evaluated after a 1 semester wait from the initial drop date. At that time, re-entry will be dependent upon available space and faculty review. A dental assistant's skill, knowledge, and understanding is crucial for patient safety. Any student re-admitted into the dental assisting program will be required to re-take all DEN courses to meet the required objectives and standards for a DAII. Required general education courses previously taken by a student seeking re-admittance into the dental assisting program, do not have to be retaken if the student received a passing grade. |
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TERRY MCNEILL