Dental Assisting
15 courses · Allan Hancock College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
DA 310 Exploring Career Opportunities
- Units
- 1
An exploration of dental health career options. Provides a preview on dental practices and specialties, professional and legal responsibilities, and the roles of the dental assistant. Details program requirements and student success and support services including but not limited to financial aid, academic counseling, learning assistance, etc.
DA 314 Introduction to Bio-Dental Science
- Units
- 3
The course presents basic terminology related to human anatomy and physiology with emphasis on head and neck anatomy. It introduces the bio-dental sciences: dental nomenclature, embryology, histology, morphology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology,nutrition and preventive dentistry.
DA 317 Dental Assisting Theory
- Units
- 7
- Corequisite
- DA 318
The course prepares the student to provide patient care with emphasis on diagnostic, restorative, and specialty branches of dentistry. Topics include infection control, management of hazardous materials, emergency medical procedures, and management of pain and anxiety. It focuses on the dental assisting theory.
DA 318 Basic Dental Assisting Skills
- Units
- 3
- Corequisite
- DA 317
The course prepares the student to provide patient care with emphasis on diagnostic, restorative, and specialty branches of dentistry. Topics include infection control, management of hazardous materials, emergency medical procedures, and management of pain and anxiety. It focuses on dental assistant skills.
DA 319 DA Administrative Skills
- Units
- 3
The aim of this course is for the clinical dental assistant to learn the foundational administrative skills utilized in the dental office. Topics covered include the branches of dentistry and the role of each team member. Participants will learn the dental basics, which include numbering systems, charting, cavity classifications, and treatment planning. We will explore strategies for effective communication skills as they relate to patient management, scheduling, recall systems, and other related administrative duties. The ADA code of ethics is reviewed. Including compliance with HIPAA regulations, professional and other ethical issues facing the dental profession. Employment strategies are discussed. Dental software is utilized.
DA 320 DA Practicum in the Community
- Units
- 1
The course provides supervised learning experiences in the various applications of dental assisting skills in the community and public health settings. The student would participate in dental screenings, provide oral hygiene instruction, and apply fluoride varnish on children and migrant families in the community.
DA 325 Clinical Dental Procedures
- Units
- 3
The course focuses on intra-oral procedures including temporary crowns, temporary restorations, as well as clinical procedures performed by Registered Dental Assistants. Emphasis is also given to the California State Board testing requirements.
DA 326 Dental Radiography
- Units
- 4
This course covers the principles and procedures related to dental radiography and digital imaging.Topics include history,radiation physics and biological effects, protection procedures and safety guidelines. It includes film identification, processing, mounting, and evaluation. Laboratory exposures on manikin cover intra-oral techniques for periapical and bitewing films using various techniques and film-holding devices. Clinical exposures of patients are completed with authorization of a licensed dentist, evaluated by faculty, and utilized by the dentist for diagnostic purposes. A State Dental Board certificate will be issued upon successful completion of the course.
DA 327 Dental Screening
- Units
- 0.5
This course provides clinical experiences in dental screening skills. Emphasis is on performing four-handed chair-side dental assisting, identifying, and recording patient clinical findings of intra-oral and extra-oral dental examinations. Eligible patients would be provided with the opportunity to schedule subsequent dental appointments in radiography, coronal polish, and pit and fissure sealant clinics.
DA 328 Pit and Fissure Sealants
- Units
- 1
Thc course provides theory and clinical applications of resin materials, pit and fissure sealants, on developing teeth to prevent cavities.
DA 329 Dental Assisting Practicum
- Units
- 4
This course provides supervised learning experiences in the various applications of dental assisting skills.
DA 330 Coronal Polish
- Units
- 1
This course meets the requirements of the California Board of Dentistry. It includes techniques for removal of pellicle, plaque, and extrinsic stain from the clinical crown. Students will be evaluated on adherence to sterilization and infection control policies and procedures as well as actual provision of care on three dental patients.
DA 332 RDA Law and Ethics
- Units
- 0.5
The course prepares students to take the California Dental Board law and ethics examination. It covers the licensure requirements, scope of practice of the registered dental assistant, revocation of license, and ethical standards of practice.
DA 348 RDA - Success Seminar
- Units
- 0.5
The course is designed to prepare students for the written components of the State Board examination. The California State Practice Act will be reviewed.
DA 380 Dental Assisting Skills Lab
- Units
- 0.5
This is an open-entry laboratory course designed to provide students with the opportunity to refine and expand skills learned in the corequisite program. Students may repeat the course as they progress through the program.