Provides an introduction to the oral health profession and covers basic terminology, historical perspective, the credentialing process, accreditation, professional organizations, and legal and ethical considerations. Prerequisite: Approval of program head. Lecture 1 hour per week.

Teaches anatomy of the head and neck, the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, tooth morphology, deciduous and permanent dentition, as well as dental pathology and terminology.  Prerequisite: Approval of program head.  Lecture 1 hour per week.

Studies head and neck anatomy, tooth morphology, pathological conditions of the oral cavity, disease processes, and microbiology.  Prerequisite or corequisite:  DNA 103. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

Studies principles of management of disease producing microorganisms and associated diseases. Emphasizes sterilization, asepsis, and disinfection techniques applicable in the dental office. Prerequisite or corequisite:  DNA 108 or program head approval.  Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

Studies the materials utilized in the laboratory aspect of dentistry as support in treatment. Emphasizes the characteristics, manipulation, economical control, storage, and delivery of materials. Prerequisite or corequisite:  DNA 109 or program head approval.  Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

Provides instruction on the principles of clinical chairside dental assisting, dental equipment use and maintenance, safety, instrument identification, tray set-ups by procedures, and patient data collection. Emphasizes patient management during restorative procedures. Prerequisite or corequisite:  DNA 110 or program head approval.  Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

Introduces the student to the various dental specialties, including oral surgery, orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, endodontics, and pediatric dentistry. Emphasizes integration and application of previous course content to operative dental procedures. Prerequisite: DNA 190. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 6 hours. Total 8 hours per week.

Exposes students to concepts and terminology related to pharmacology, pain control, and dental medicinal agents. Emphasizes the use of materials in patient treatment. Prerequisite or co-requisite:  DNA 113 or program head approval.  Lecture 1 hour per week.

Studies topics related to community health issues including identification of specific diseases, symptoms, causes and effects. Emphasizes the promotion of oral health in the community through patient education in oral home care techniques, dietary counseling, plaque control procedures, and application of medicinal agents. Prerequisite or co-requisite:  DNA 113 or program head approval.  Lecture 1 hour per week.

DNA 130 Dental Office Management (3 cr.)

Exposes students to and provides practical experience in the legal aspects of dental office management with regard to ethics, jurisprudence, appointment control, recall systems, reception techniques, telephone techniques, accounts receivable and payable, payroll insurance claims, inventory control, and professional conduct in a dental office. Prerequisite: Approval of program head.  Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

Teaches the physics of dental radiation and safety, equipment operation, cone placement for the parallel and bisection techniques, panoramic exposures, mounting and film processing. Prerequisite or corequisite: DNA 190 or program head approval.  Students must be at least 18 years old to enroll in course. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

Studies techniques and devices used for protection from ionizing radiation. Teaches biological effects, cell sensitivity and genetic effects of ionizing radiation. Includes practice of bisection and parallel techniques on mannequins. Prepares employed dental staff to meet the Virginia Board of Denistry’s regulations for certification in dental radiation safety hygiene. Students must be at least 18 years old to enroll.  Lecture 1 hour. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

Exposes students to the fast pace of a dental practice while they perform support services with an established team. Prerequisite or co-requisite: DNA 114. Lecture 1 hour. Laboratory 12 hours. Total 13 hours per week.

Reviews related subject matter pertaining to certification examination. Lecture 1 hour per week.

DNA 190 Coordinated Internship in Dental Assisting (2 cr.)

Provides students clinical experience to supplement DNA 113 through hands-on experience in the dental clinic at JSRCC. Students will be assisting staff. Prerequisite or corequisite: DNA 113. Laboratory 8 hours per week.

02.18.08