Dental Assisting

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.  

A writing course designed primarily to meet the needs of students pursuing career and technical programs. Meets the written composition graduation requirement for an AHC associate's degree. Students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution will need to take ENGL 101 instead of this course to meet the university's first-year composition requirement. Readings will be drawn from the disciplines involved so that students master comprehension and critical reading skills in real-world texts. Writing assignments and projects will similarly be based upon the types of critical thinking and analytical writing required in the students' fields of study. Research methods and skills will be emphasized. 

Designed to help students enhance their analytical reading and writing skills using a wide variety of texts. Emphasizes college-level expository essay construction, communication, and research methods leading to the preparation and writing of a research paper. 

Courses that meet this requirement:

• Anthropology 101, 110 (when taken in conjunction with 101)
• Astronomy 100
• Biology 100, 120, 124, 132
• Chemistry 110, 120
• Environmental Technology 101
• Food Science and Nutrition 110
• Geography 101, 115
• Geology 100, 111, 114, 115, 131, 141
• Physical Science 111, 112
• Physics 100
• Viticulture and Enology 102

Select one course from the list below.

• American Sign Language 138
• Art 101, 103, 104, 105, 109, 170
• Communication Studies 108
• Dance 101, 110, 120, 130, 147
• Drama 103, 110, 111
• Early Childhood Studies 116, 123
• English 102, 106, 117, 118, 119, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135, 138,139, 140, 144, 145, 146, 148, 180
• Ethnic Studies 105, 120, 122
• Fashion 104, 105
• Film 101, 102, 103, 104, 108, 109, 110, 122
• French 101, 102
• Graphics 127
• History 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 120, 138
• Humanities 101, 102, 103, 104, 105
• Library 180
• Multimedia Arts and Communication 101, 102
• Music 100, 101, 102, 104, 106
• Philosophy 101, 102, 105, 121, 122
• Photo 110
• Spanish 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 112

Courses that meet this requirement:

• Anthropology 107
• English 150, 151, 152, 153
• Ethnic Studies 101, 105, 107, 120, 121, 122, 150, 151, 152, 153
• Fashion 105
• Film 122
• History 120, 121

ALL courses in this category also fulfill the AHC Graduation Requirement: Multicultural and Gender Studies  

If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the Multicultural/Gender Studies requirement:

Courses that meet this requirement:

• Administration of Justice 101, 103, 115
• Anthropology 102, 103, 105, 107
• Business 121, 141
• Communications Studies 100, 110
• Early Childhood Studies 100, 101
• Economics 101, 102, 121, 141
• English 105, 150, 151,152, 153
• Ethnic Studies 101, 107, 150, 151,152, 153
• Geography 102, 103, 105
• Global Studies 141
• Graphics 127
• LGBT 101, 102
• Physical Education 128
• Political Science 101, 104, 105, 110
• Psychology 101, 112, 113, 117, 118, 119, 121
• Sociology 101, 102, 104, 120, 122, 155, 160

Courses that meet this requirement:

• Ethnic Studies 121
• History 107, 108, 118, 119, 121
• Political Science 101, 103

Courses that meet this requirement:

• Mathematics 100, 105, 121, 123, 131, 135, 141, 181, 182, 183, 184

Students will learn and synthesize information concerning the impact of the social determinants of health, including education, socioeconomic status, race, sexual orientation, disability and gender.  Students are provided with a broad foundation of knowledge dealing with such social determinants in mental health, stress management, fitness, diet and weight control, prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, drugs and alcohol, first aid, cancer prevention and control, and the scope of, and access to community health services.

Select one course from this list.

Courses that meet this requirement:

• Communication Studies 100, 101, 102, 106
• English 103, 104
• Philosophy 112, 114

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Recommended for both 3^rd and 4^th semesters:

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.

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.

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.

Thc course provides theory and clinical applications of resin materials, pit and fissure sealants, on developing teeth to prevent cavities.

This course provides supervised learning experiences in the various applications of dental assisting skills.

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.

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.

The course is designed to prepare students for the written components of the State Board examination. The California State Practice Act will be reviewed.

Recommended for both 3^rd and 4^th semesters:

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Recommended for both 2^nd and 3^rd semesters:

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.

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.

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.

Thc course provides theory and clinical applications of resin materials, pit and fissure sealants, on developing teeth to prevent cavities.

This course provides supervised learning experiences in the various applications of dental assisting skills.

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.

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.

The course is designed to prepare students for the written components of the State Board examination. The California State Practice Act will be reviewed.

Recommended for both 2^nd and 3^rd semesters: