Dental Assisting (DENA)

DENA1030. Preventive Dentistry. (1 Credit)

Introduces students to the area of preventive and public health dentistry. Topics include: etiology of dental disease; patient education techniques; plaque control techniques; types and use of fluoride; diet analysis for caries control; and dietary considerations for the dental patient.

DENA1050. Microbiology&Infection Control. (3 Credits)

Introduces fundamental microbiology and infection control techniques. Topics include: classification, structure, and behavior of pathogenic microbes; mode of disease transmission; bodys defense and immunity; infectious diseases; and infection control procedures in accordance with CDC recommendations and OSHA guidelines.

DENA1070. Oral Pathology and Therapeutic. (2 Credits)

Focuses on the diseases affecting the oral cavity and pharmacology as it relates to dentistry. Topics include: identification and disease process; signs/symptoms of oral diseases and systemic diseases with oral manifestations; developmental abnormalities of oral tissues; basic principle of pharmacology; drugs prescribed by the dental profession; drugs that may contraindicate treatment; and applied pharmacology (regulations, dosage, and applications.

DENA1080. Dental Anatomy. (5 Credits)

Focuses on normal head and neck anatomy and the development and functions of oral anatomy. Topics include: dental anatomy; oral histology; oral embryology; osteology of the skull; muscles of mastication and facial expression; temporal mandibular joint; blood lymphatic nerve supply of the head; and salivary glands and related structures.

DENA1090. Dental Assisting NBE Prep. (1 Credit)

Reviews information concerning all didactic areas tested by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Topics include: collecting and recording clinical data; dental radiography; chairside dental procedures; prevention of disease transmission; patient education and oral health management; office management procedures; and test taking skills.

DENA1340. Dent Assist I: Gen Chairside. (6 Credits)

Introduces student to ethics and jurisprudence for the dental assistant and to chairside assisting with diagnostic and operative procedures. Topics include: ethics and jurisprudence in the dental office; four-handed dentistry techniques; clinical data collection techniques; introduction to operative dentistry; and dental material basics.

DENA1350. DentAss II: Dental Spec& EFDA. (7 Credits)

Focuses on chairside assisting with dental specialty procedures. Topics include: prosthodontic procedures (fixed and removable); orthodontics; pediatric dentistry; periodontic procedures; oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures; endodontics procedures; management of dental office emergencies; medically compromised patients and expanded functions approved by law for performance by dental assistants in the state of Georgia. Student will pass a comprehensive examination and successfully perform all required clinical skills to receive EFDA certification.

DENA1390. Dental Radiology. (4 Credits)

After completion of the course the student will be able to provide radiation safety for patient and self, expose x-rays, process x-rays, and prepare dental images for the dental office. Topics include: fundamentals of radiology and radiation safety; radiographic anatomy and interpretation; intraoral and extraoral radiographic techniques; and quality assurance techniques.

DENA1400. Dental Practice Management. (2 Credits)

Emphasizes procedures for office management in dental practices. Topics include: oral and written communication; records management; appointment control; dental insurance form preparation; accounting procedures; supply and inventory control; employability skills and basic computer skills. A computer lab provides basic skills in computer use and utilization of these skills to perform office procedures on a microcomputer.

DENA1460. Dental Practicum I. (1 Credit)

Practicum focuses on infection control in the dental office and assisting with diagnostic and simple operative procedures. Topics include: infection control procedures; clinical diagnostic procedures; and general dentistry procedures.

DENA1470. Dental Practicum II. (1 Credit)

Practicum focuses on advanced general dentistry procedures and chairside in dental specialties with special emphasis on nonsurgical specialties. Topics include: advanced general dentistry and specialties.

DENA1480. Dental Practicum III. (5 Credits)

Practicum continues to focus on assisting chairside with advanced general dentistry procedures with emphasis on dental office management, preventive dentistry, and expanded functions. Topics include: advanced general dentistry procedures; preventive dentistry; dental office management; expanded functions; chairside in specialties; and management of dental office emergencies.