12 courses with the subject DS, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
DS 101Chairside Assisting I4.00
This course introduces the student to the fundamentals of working in a dental office as a chairside assistant. The student will be introduced to dental terminology, oral anatomy, and oral tissue examination that will be utilized in patient charting. It introduces concepts and techniques of basic equipment use and maintenance, four-handed dentistry, oral evacuation, isolation techniques, beneficial ergonomics, and basic instrument identification and transfer. Students will utilize oral communication skills to instruct patients in proper oral hygiene and preventive dentistry. It also will provide the students with basic nutritional concepts and their practical applications. Semester
This course will introduce the student to the health and safety considerations for basic infection control, dental emergencies and the disease process, including infectious diseases and disease transmission. Topics include occupational safety, personal protection, exposure control, infection control, sterilization and disinfection techniques, hazard and bloodborne pathogens standards, and waste disposal as defined by governmental agencies such as OSHA, CDC, and EPA. This course will also discuss the prevention and treatment of common medical emergencies experienced in the dental office. The student will have a basic understanding of the classification, administration, and use and effects of drugs commonly used in a dental office. Semester
This course is designed to develop the student’s oral and written communications skills for use in the dental office. Students will prepare and present a speech on subjects related to dentistry. Various topics include understanding patient behavior, psychology in the dental office, professional boundaries, and stress management. Through lecture, discussion, and individual and small group presentations, the student will become more confident in communicating with others. Semester
This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge of dental materials commonly utilized in the general dentistry office. Topics include the chemical and physical properties of and uses, types and applications for a wide variety of common materials used in the dental office. These include gypsum, impression materials, acrylics and/or thermoplastics, waxes, dental cements, and restorative materials. Students will become familiar with laboratory procedures that are commonly performed in the dental office including but not limited to assisting with and/or applying bases, liners and bonding agents, placing, fabricating, and removing provisional restorations, assisting with a direct permanent restoration, preliminary restorations and cleaning and polishing removable dental appliances. Students gain practical experience by manipulating materials and working with dental lab equipment. Semester
This course provides an overview of general anatomy and functions including a basic understanding of the common disease process and pathological conditions. Emphasis is given to a comprehensive overview of oral, head, and neck anatomy and function. Oral pathology, oral histology and oral embryology are covered as well. The effects of anesthesia on the nervous and circulatory systems as related to dental procedures is covered. Semester
DS 130Certificate of Completion in Dental Radiology
Students will use paralleling and bisecting techniques to produce images. The advantages and disadvantages of each of those techniques will be discussed. Errors in exposure, developing and mounting will be addressed. Students will be given the opportunity to expose, process, mount and evaluate for diagnostic value films/images on a variety of patients. The procedural techniques for exposing extraoral accessory films utilized in dental offices will be introduced.
During the internship clinical phase of training, the student will experience various aspects of working in a private dental office, group dental practice, or specialty dental office. The internship will provide the student with the opportunity to experience and participate in the duties of a dental assistant in a clinical setting at an entry level. Areas such as treatment room preparation, infection control procedures, four-handed dentistry, front office procedures, laboratory procedures, and expanded functions will be emphasized. Students will learn by observing experienced dental office personnel and participating in a clinical setting under close supervision of trained healthcare professionals. Students will use self-evaluation techniques to enhance their understanding and learning. Semester
