Dental Assisting (DNAS)

This course provides dental assistant instruction to enhance the development of dental health care professionals. The course introduces the basic theory related to general and specialty dental procedures. Students will learn the principles of four-handed dentistry which are applied during dental laboratory sessions for the development of chairside assisting skills.

Provides the knowledge and skills required of the dental assistant in the preparation and application of dental materials. Laboratory exercises will complement didactic theory through manipulation of dental materials.

This course combines basic oral anatomy with oral pathology. Students will learn the basic anatomy of the oral cavity and the bones of head and neck. Additionally, students will be introduced to oral pathology including developmental anomalies and pathological lesions.

This course is an introduction to the study of the physical and chemical properties of dental materials utilized in the dental office, with the consideration of the mechanical functions, clinical appearances, and biocompatible properties of dental materials. This course will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely manipulate dental materials in laboratory and clinical settings. Skills necessary for the manipulation of dental materials will be developed during laboratory sessions.

This course will prepare students for the Dental Assisting National Board Examination, Radiation Health and Safety. Topics include radiation production, hazards and safety, radiation control factors, exposure and processing techniques and errors. Emphasis will be placed on proper technique during intraoral radiographic procedures. All radiographic skills will be developed to Laboratory competency during sessions.

This course will provide students with the theory of preventive dentistry including preventive procedures, oral hygiene instruction, and nutrition as it relates to oral health.

This course will introduce students to the administrative dental assistant tasks such as: managing electronic dental records, information management, dental patient scheduling, inventory management, financial arrangements and collections, dental insurance processing, and bookkeeping procedures (accounts receivable and accounts payable). Students will work with the dental practice management software system.

Students study microorganisms and diseases of concern to dentistry. Emphasis will be placed on the mode of transmission, practicing aseptic techniques, and methods for preventing disease transmission through personal protection, disinfection, and sterilization. Focus will be on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Dental Association (ADA) recommendations, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. The course will prepare students for the Dental Assisting National Board-Infection Control Examination. (DANB- ICE).

Provides students with the tools necessary for success in the dental assisting program and college environment. The review of program requirements, policies, and procedures leads to the study of the history of dentistry and the dental health care team. Introduction to the dental assisting profession and professional association(s) provides initiation to -co-curricular life of the college and community involvement. Prepares students to develop their own plan for academic, personal, and professional success through self-evaluation, application of specific strategies, discussions, guided journaling, and classroom exercises. These activities help students acquire strategies to help them cope with the academic and personal demands unique to the dental assisting program. Provides basic knowledge and skill application for general chairside assisting procedures including professionalism, infection control, evaluation of patient medical and dental history, assessment data, and four-handed dentistry; and the coordination of didactic, clinic, laboratory, and activities to become proficient and efficient in general dentistry chairside performance and be familiar with the different dental specialties.

This course will prepare students for the Dental Assisting National Board Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Examination. student's complete radiographic patient care requirements, learn extraoral radiographic exposure techniques, and evaluate image interpretation exercises. The protocol in the use and administration of ionizing radiation adheres to federal and state regulations and patient and operator safety standards. Student requirements for radiographic patient care are set by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Dental Assisting Program and must be completed to receive certification and participate in graduation.

An introduction to the prevention and management of oral diseases including nutrition and pharmacology as they relate to dental assisting procedures.

Provides an in-depth investigation of the development of the orofacial complex through the study of oral histology and embryology. The exploration of facial/cranial osteological structures and landmarks gives a foundation to the study of the gross anatomy of the hard and soft structures of the head and neck region including muscular; circulatory; nervous; lymphatic; glandular systems; and tooth morphology.

Focuses on the foundations of radiography, radiographic equipment, and  safety. Legal issues, quality assurance and infection prevention are also emphasized. Provides an in-depth study of principles of the x-ray production and radiation physics, biology, and safety radiographic image identification and mounting; and patient management are applied in the study of intraoral and extraoral techniques.

Examination of current biomedical issues related to ethical decision making, employee rights and responsibilities, and standards related to dental practice management. The Connecticut State Dental Practic e A ct is  compared with other practice acts in various states.

Students gain clinical experience assisting a dentist as an integral part of the educational program designed to perfect student's competence in performing chairside assisting functions. Students must have a minimum of 300 hours of clinical experience. A daily record of professional activities will be kept by the student and provided to the course instructor for review. Lecture and seminars will be conducted weekly with a  focus and discussion on the clinical experience and preparation for Dental Assisting National Board General Chairside Exam.

This clinical practicum supports students in the development of dental assisting clinical skills during the delivery of dental patient care. student's complete required clinical hours, procedural competencies, and patient requirements at an educational dental health care setting.

This practicum provides dental assistant experience at a contracted private dental practice. Students adhere to the dental assistant protocols of the practice, as they complete program/course requirements.