Dental Technology
Dental Technology (DNTL)
DNTL 90 - Independent Study (0.5-4 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.
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.
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.
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 (0.5 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.
Credit transferable: Non-transferable
Catalog Program Pages Referencing DNTL 107
DNTL 108 - Pit and Fissure Sealants (0.5 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.
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 (2.5 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 (2.5 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.
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.
Credit transferable: Non-transferable