Dental Assisting (DA Courses)
DA 310 Exploring Career Opportunities
1.0 unit.
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to Dental Assisting program
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Summer
Grading Method: Pass/No Pass
An exploration of dental health career options. Provides a preview on dental practices
and specialties, professional and legal responsibilities, and the roles of the dental
assistant. Details program requirements and student success and support
services including but not limited to financial aid, academic counseling, learning
assistance, etc.
DA 314 Introduction to Bio-Dental Science
3.0 units.
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to Dental Assisting program
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Fall
Grading Method: Letter Grade Only
The course presents basic terminology related to human anatomy and physiology with
emphasis on head and neck anatomy. It introduces the bio-dental sciences: dental nomenclature,
embryology, histology, morphology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology,nutrition
and preventive dentistry.
DA 317 Dental Assisting Theory
7.0 units.
Corequisite: DA 318 - Basic Dental Assisting Skills
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to Dental Assisting Program
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Fall
Grading Method: Letter Grade Only
The course prepares the student to provide patient care with emphasis on diagnostic,
restorative, and specialty branches of dentistry. Topics include infection control,
management of hazardous materials, emergency medical procedures, and management of
pain and anxiety. It focuses on the dental assisting theory.
DA 318 Basic Dental Assisting Skills
3.0 units.
Corequisite: DA 317 - Dental Assisting Theory
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to Dental Assisting program
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Fall
Grading Method: Letter Grade Only
The course prepares the student to provide patient care with emphasis on diagnostic,
restorative, and specialty branches of dentistry. Topics include infection control,
management of hazardous materials, emergency medical procedures, and management of
pain and anxiety. It focuses on dental assistant skills.
DA 319 DA Administrative Skills
3.0 units.
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Fall
Grading Method: Letter Grade Only
The aim of this course is for the clinical dental assistant to learn the foundational
administrative skills utilized in the dental office. Topics covered include
the branches of dentistry and the role of each team member. Participants
will learn the dental basics, which include numbering systems, charting, cavity
classifications, and treatment planning. We will explore strategies for effective
communication skills as they relate to patient management, scheduling, recall systems,
and other related administrative duties. The ADA code of ethics is reviewed. Including compliance
with HIPAA regulations, professional and other ethical issues facing the dental profession. Employment
strategies are discussed. Dental software is utilized.
DA 320 DA Practicum in the Community
1.0 unit.
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to the Dental Assisting program
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Fall
Grading Method: Letter Grade Only
The course provides supervised learning experiences in the various applications of
dental assisting skills in the community and public health settings. The student would
participate in dental screenings, provide oral hygiene instruction, and apply fluoride
varnish on children and migrant families in the community.
DA 325 Clinical Dental Procedures
3.0 units.
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to Dental Assisting program
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade Only
The course focuses on intra-oral procedures including temporary crowns, temporary
restorations, as well as clinical procedures performed by Registered Dental Assistants.
Emphasis is also given to the California State Board testing requirements.
DA 326 Dental Radiography
4.0 units.
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to Dental Assisting program
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade Only
This course covers the principles and procedures related to dental radiography and
digital imaging.Topics include history,radiation physics and biological effects, protection
procedures and safety guidelines. It includes film identification, processing, mounting,
and evaluation. Laboratory exposures on manikin cover intra-oral techniques for periapical
and bitewing films using various techniques and film-holding devices. Clinical exposures
of patients are completed with authorization of a licensed dentist, evaluated by faculty,
and utilized by the dentist for diagnostic purposes. A State Dental Board certificate
will be issued upon successful completion of the course.
DA 327 Dental Screening
0.5 units.
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to Dental Assisting program
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade Only
This course provides clinical experiences in dental screening skills. Emphasis is
on performing four-handed chair-side dental assisting, identifying, and recording
patient clinical findings of intra-oral and extra-oral dental examinations. Eligible
patients would be provided with the opportunity to schedule subsequent dental appointments
in radiography, coronal polish, and pit and fissure sealant clinics.
DA 328 Pit and Fissure Sealants
1.0 unit.
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to the Dental Assisting Program
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade Only
Thc course provides theory and clinical applications of resin materials, pit and fissure
sealants, on developing teeth to prevent cavities.
DA 329 Dental Assisting Practicum
4.0 units.
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to the Dental Assisting Program
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade Only
This course provides supervised learning experiences in the various applications of
dental assisting skills.
DA 330 Coronal Polish
1.0 unit.
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to the Dental Assisting Program
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade Only
This course meets the requirements of the California Board of Dentistry. It includes
techniques for removal of pellicle, plaque, and extrinsic stain from the clinical
crown. Students will be evaluated on adherence to sterilization and infection control
policies and procedures as well as actual provision of care on three dental patients.
DA 332 RDA Law and Ethics
0.5 units.
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to the Dental Assisting Program
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade Only
The course prepares students to take the California Dental Board law and ethics examination.
It covers the licensure requirements, scope of practice of the registered dental assistant,
revocation of license, and ethical standards of practice.
DA 348 RDA - Success Seminar
0.5 units.
Limitations on Enrollment: Successful completion of second semester dental assisting program courses.; Admittance to Dental Assisting program
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade Only
The course is designed to prepare students for the written components of the State
Board examination. The California State Practice Act will be reviewed.
DA 380 Dental Assisting Skills Lab
0.5 units.
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to the Dental Assisting program
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Fall, Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade Only
This is an open-entry laboratory course designed to provide students with the opportunity
to refine and expand skills learned in the corequisite program. Students may repeat
the course as they progress through the program.