Dental Assisting (DA12)  Diploma

Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.

Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, formula manipulation, technical applications, and basic statistics.

Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social relations.

Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

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

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; temporomandibular joint, blood, lymphatic, nerve supply of the head; and salivary glands and related structures.

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.

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

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

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; endodontic procedures and expanded duties approved by law for performance by dental assistants in the state of Georgia. Students will pass a comprehensive examination and successfully perform all required clinical skills to receive EDDA certification.

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.

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 management of medical emergencies.

Emphasizes procedures for office management in dental practices, utilizing basic computer skills and dental practice management software. 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.

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.

Practicum focuses on demonstrating the progression of chairside assisting in general dental procedures and/or dental specialty procedures. Topics include: advanced general dentistry and specialties.

Practicum continues to focus on demonstrating the progression of chairside assisting with general and specialty procedures. Topics include: general dentistry; specialty procedures; preventive dentistry; expand duties; and radiography techniques.