Dental Technology (DNTL)

DNTL 90 -  Independent Study  (0-4 units)  
Letter Grade (LG) or Pass/No Pass (P/NP)  Total hours: 25.5-204 hours lab  
This course provides a framework for this academic discipline, which is designed to enrich the student’s experience beyond current curriculum offerings. The program of study, research, reading, or activity is tailored to student needs and interests. When the student has identified an instructor to supervise his/her program of study, the agreement is recorded on a form available in the Admissions and Records Office.  
Advisory: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENGL 1A or ENGL 1AE  
Credit transferable: Transfers to CSU  

Catalog Program Pages Referencing DNTL 90

DNTL 100 -  Orientation to Dental Careers  (2 units)  
Letter Grade (LG) Only  Total hours: 34 hours lecture  
This course provides the student with a basic knowledge of the various areas of dental health care, the team members of the profession, and career opportunities, with special emphasis on dental terminology to prepare the student for entry into other dental assisting courses. Required of all Dental Assisting Program candidates. This course is open to anyone interested in dental careers. Portions of instruction may be offered online; may also be offered fully online.  
Credit transferable: Non-transferable  
GE Credit: MPC E2 Career Exploration  

Catalog Program Pages Referencing DNTL 100

DNTL 101 -  Dental Anatomy  (2 units)  
Letter Grade (LG) Only  Total hours: 34 hours lecture  
This course covers anatomy of the head and neck, oral physiology, dental embryology, histology, and tooth morphology. Portions of instruction may be offered online; may also be offered fully online.  
Credit transferable: Non-transferable  

Catalog Program Pages Referencing DNTL 101

DNTL 102 -  Chairside Assisting I  (3 units)  
Letter Grade (LG) Only  Total hours: 34 hours lecture; 51 hours lab  
This course presents basic chairside examination procedures, instrumentation, principles of four-handed dentistry, dental materials for preliminary impressions and diagnostic models, vital signs, dental charting, infection control protocol, treatment records, and patient management skills. Portions of instruction may be offered online; may also be offered fully online.  
Pre/Corequisite(s): DNTL 100  
Credit transferable: Non-transferable  

Catalog Program Pages Referencing DNTL 102

DNTL 103 -  Radiography for Dental Assistants  (2 units)  
Letter Grade (LG) Only  Total hours: 102 hours lab  
This course is designed to allow the participant to obtain a position in a dental office when complete and helps to prepare students for the California RDA exam for the radiology portion on the written. It will cover principles of radiation physics, biology, and safety; radiograph exposure and processing techniques; practice in making x-rays of manikins and patients; technical evaluation of films; and radiography for children, the elderly, and special problems.  
Prerequisite(s): DNTL 100 and DNTL 102  
Enrollment limitation(s): Completion of an American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR course.  
Credit transferable: Non-transferable  

Catalog Program Pages Referencing DNTL 103

DNTL 104 -  Chairside Assisting II  (3 units)  
Letter Grade (LG) Only  Total hours: 34 hours lecture; 51 hours lab  
This course builds on chairside skills learned in DNTL 102. Emphasis is on local anesthetic procedures, hand and rotary instruments, dental cements, amalgam and composite materials, rubber dam instrumentation, cavity preparation principles and patient management. Portions of instruction may be offered online; may also be offered fully online.  
Pre/Corequisite(s): DNTL 100 and 102  
Credit transferable: Non-transferable  

Catalog Program Pages Referencing DNTL 104

DNTL 105 -  Dental Health Science  (2 units)  
Letter Grade (LG) Only  Total hours: 34 hours lecture  
This course provides an overview of the human body in health and disease, with special emphasis on oral health promotion, disease, prevention and control. This coursework forms the foundation for future dental assisting classes. Portions of instruction may be offered online; may also be offered fully online.  
Corequisite(s): DNTL 100  
Credit transferable: Non-transferable  

Catalog Program Pages Referencing DNTL 105

DNTL 107 -  Coronal Polish  (0 units)  
Letter Grade (LG) Only  Total hours: 28 hours lab  
This course covers the tools and techniques used in coronal polish, for removing stains and preparing tooth surfaces for application of dental sealants or attachment of orthodontic bands. Portions of instruction may be offered online; may also be offered fully online.  
Prerequisite(s): DNTL 100, DNTL 102, DNTL 103, and DNTL 104  
Credit transferable: Non-transferable  

Catalog Program Pages Referencing DNTL 107

DNTL 108 -  Pit and Fissure Sealants  (0 units)  
Letter Grade (LG) Only  Total hours: 28 hours lab  
In this course, students learn the proper application of pit and fissure sealants for prevention of dental caries. Portions of instruction may be offered online; may also be offered fully online.  
Pre/Corequisite(s): DNTL 100, 102, 104, and 107  
Credit transferable: Non-transferable  

Catalog Program Pages Referencing DNTL 108

DNTL 111 -  Dental Pharmacology and Oral Pathology  (2 units)  
Letter Grade (LG) Only  Total hours: 34 hours lecture  
This course covers description and use of drugs usually found in the dental office, types of materials and equipment used to anesthetize patients, post-injection complications, and dental office emergency procedures. It also covers descriptions of oral lesions and diseases. Portions of instruction may be offered online; may also be offered fully online.  
Prerequisite(s): DNTL 100  
Credit transferable: Non-transferable  

Catalog Program Pages Referencing DNTL 111

DNTL 112 -  Office Management  (2 units)  
Letter Grade (LG) Only  Total hours: 34 hours lecture; 25.5 hours lab  
This course offers instruction in the role of the dental assistant as receptionist, secretary, and office manager; communication, oral and written; appointment control; record keeping; case presentation; dental insurance forms; supply and inventory control; and fees and management of accounts. It includes hands-on application of computer use in the dental office. Portions of instruction may be offered online; may also be offered fully online.  
Prerequisite(s): DNTL 100  
Credit transferable: Non-transferable  

Catalog Program Pages Referencing DNTL 112

DNTL 115 -  Dental Specialties  (2 units)  
Letter Grade (LG) Only  Total hours: 32 hours lecture; 40 hours lab  
Covered in this course is the study of dental specialities: Orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, and the associated assisting functions. Duties associated with specialty dentistry and delegated to the dental assistant and registered dental assistant in the California Dental Practice Act are taught to a level of competence. The importance of legal/ethical issues is addressed throughout the course. Portions of instruction may be offered online; may also be offered fully online.  
Prerequisite(s): DNTL 100, 102, 103, 104  
Pre/Corequisite(s): DNTL 107, 108  
Credit transferable: Non-transferable  

Catalog Program Pages Referencing DNTL 115

DNTL 116 -  Supervised Clinical Experience  (5 units)  
Letter Grade (LG) Only  Total hours: 8.5 hours lecture; 239.7 hours lab  
Under the direct supervision of dentists at clinics and private offices, students practice working as part of the complete dental team. Students develop a professional attitude in all phases of dental assisting, refine their skills and practice using equipment. Emphasis is placed on the specialty areas of dental practice: oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, and prosthodontics. Weekly seminars are held to evaluate and review clinical applications. Portions of instruction may be offered online; may also be offered fully online.  
Prerequisite(s): DNTL 100, 102, 103, and 104  
Credit transferable: Non-transferable  

Catalog Program Pages Referencing DNTL 116