Dental Assisting
17 courses · College of Alameda · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
DENTL 220A Infection Control and Oral Health
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1.5 hours lecture, 2 hours lab
- Corequisite
- DENTL 221, DENTL 222, DENTL 224A, DENTL 223, DENTL 225
Introduction to infection control and oral health: Emphasis on infection control and disinfection techniques for patient and occupational protection; disease transmission, microbiology, application to Cal-DOSH (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens standards and Dental Board Infection control Guidelines; application of CDC recommendations for healthcare settings. Identifies the relationship and value of nutrition in promoting good oral health.
DENTL 220B Infection Control and Coronal Polish
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- .5 hours lecture, 2 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DENTL 220A
- Corequisite
- DENTL 221, DENTL 222, DENTL 223, DENTL 224A, DENTL 225
Introduction to infection control and coronal polish: Emphasis on Coronal Polish, infection control, sterilization and disinfection techniques and legal considerations for patient and occupational protection; application of Cal-DOSH, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standards and Dental Board Infection control Guidelines and CDC recommendations for healthcare settings; principles of tooth polishing and plaque and stain formation; indications and contraindications of coronal polishing; polishing agent composition storage and handling characteristics manipulation and care of dental handpieces; nutritional information for good oral heath and preventative care.
DENTL 221 Professional Standards
- Units
- .5
- Hours
- .5 hours lecture
- Corequisite
- DENTL 220, DENTL 222, DENTL 223, DENTL 224A, DENTL 225, DENTL 251, DENTL 252
Introduction and hands-on orientation to the dental assisting profession and the career of dentistry: Study of nutrition, health, professionalism, history of dentistry and allied organizations; emphasis on licensure and certification; the duties of chairside assistant; the legal ramifications of dentistry; ethics and jurisprudence.
DENTL 222 Oral Anatomy, Morphology and Body Systems
- Units
- 3.5
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 1.5 hours lab
- Advisory
- DENTL 251 and Overview to the Dental Assisting Profession, are both recommended to provide students with a basic understanding of the dental profession, COMM C1004 or Certification requirements and are therefore recommended for successful completion on the certification program, DENTL 220 A, DENTL 221, DENTL 223 1. Demonstrate the seating and dismissing patients; 2. Demonstrate the clock concept of operating zones; 3. Identify operatory equipment; 4. Demonstrate care and maintenance of room equipment; 5. Identify, select and demonstrate care, maintenance, selection and sterilization of dental instruments; 6. Demonstrate the role of the chairside assistant in passing and receiving instruments in four-handed dentistry; 7. Identify and demonstrate fulcrum techniques and support positions relating to the use of dental instruments; 8. Select and demonstrate the application of topical agents and anesthetic syringes; 9. List and demonstrate the classification of caries used in general dentistry. , DENTL 224A, DENTL 225, DENTL 251, DENTL 252
Introduction to general anatomy: Body systems, head and neck anatomy: Emphasis will be on the teeth and their supporting structures.
DENTL 223 Chairside Procedures
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Corequisite
- DENTL220A, DENTL 221, DENTL 222, DENTL 224A, DENTL 225
- Advisory
- DENTL 251, Dental Terminology , Overview to the Dental Assisting Profession, are both recommended to provide students with a basic understanding of the dental profession, , PSYC C1000, COMM 001A, COMM C1004 or COMM C1000, Certification requirements and are there for recommended for successful completion on the certification program.
Principles of chairside assisting: Operative procedures, including chairside responsibilities, instrument identification, four-handed techniques, sequences of dental procedures and dental anesthesia; maintenance of dental equipment and operatory systems.
DENTL 224A Dental Radiology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Corequisite
- DENTL 220 A, DENTL 221, DENTL 223, DENTL 225, DENTL 251, DENTL 252; COMM C1000 and
- Advisory
- DENTL 251, Dental Terminology , DENTL 252, Overview to the Dental Assisting Profession, are both recommended to provide students with a basic understanding of the dental profession, ENGL 201B, PSYC C1000 and COMM 001A, COMM C1004; Certification requirements and are therefore recommended for successful completion on the certification program.
Basic principles of radiation and radiation safety and protection. : Elementary anatomic landmarks fro exposing dental radiographs on X-ray mannequins using bisecting and parallel techniques; radiological terminology and vocabulary including basic digital radiography; radiologic infection control and proficiency, through examination, in radiation safety and protection techniques as required by ADA accrediting standards.
DENTL 224B Dental Radiology II
- Units
- .5
- Hours
- 2 hours lab
Advanced principles of radiation and radiation safety and protection: Intermediate and advanced principles of radiology including film placement, angulations and exposures; anatomical identification and interpretation of radiologic images; specialty radiographic procedures such as digital radiographs, occlusal films and pedo FMX; experience in exposing film on human subjects and advanced darkroom/processing procedures; and community service project to underserved population within the local area.
DENTL 225 Dental Materials and Lab Procedures
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Corequisite
- DENTL 220 A, DENTL 221, DENTL 223, DENTL 224A, DENTL 225, DENTL 251, DENTL 252
Study and safe manipulation of dental material used in operative and restorative dental procedures: Use of instruments and lab equipment; safety and health hazards and patient safety.
DENTL 226 Advanced Chairside Procedures
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Corequisite
- DENTL 224B Dental Radiology II, DENTL 227 Biodental Sciences, DENTL 228A Clinical Rotations and Review, DENTL 229 Practice Management
- Advisory
- DENTL 251 Dental Terminology, DENTL 252 Overview of the Dental Assisting Profession
Advanced studies of dental specialties: Endodontics, Pediatrics, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, and Periodontics to reflect Dental Board of California educational requirements in preparation for the California Registered Dental Assistant practical examination.
DENTL 227 Biodental Sciences
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture
Introduction to biodental sciences: Emphasis on oral pathology relating to occupational hazards; identification of oral lesions and dental pharmacology;[reparation for office emergencies, both medical and dental; legal responsibility of assistant and patient health and safety.
DENTL 228A Clinical Rotations and Review
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- DENTL 220A and DENTL 220B and DENTL 221 and DENTL 222 and DENTL 223 and DENTL 224A and DENTL 225 and DENTL 227 and
- Corequisite
- DENTL 224B and DENTL 226 and DENTL 229 and
Advanced study of specialty areas in dentistry: Restorative and preventative materials, amalgam, composites, sealants, prosthodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, and pediatrics.
DENTL 228B Clinical Rotation Externship
- Units
- 6
- Hours
- 18 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DENTL 220A and DENTL 220B and DENTL 221 and DENTL 222 and DENTL 223 and DENTL 224A and DENTL 225 and
- Corequisite
- DENTL 224A and DENTL 226 and DENTL 227 and DENTL 229 and
Application of practical chairside skills in clinical rotations at private dental offices and local dental schools: Manipulation of dental materials, front office skills, and care of the dental patient during dental procedures.
DENTL 229 Practice Management
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1.5 hours lecture, 2 hours lab
- Corequisite
- DENTL 224B Dental Radiology II, DENTL 226 Advanced Chairside, DENTL 228 A Clinical Rotations and Review, DENTL 228 B Clinical Rotations and Internship, DENTL 251 Dental Terminology
- Advisory
- DENTL 252 Overview of the Dental Assisting Profession
Practice of dental office management duties and responsibilities: Receptionist and office management duties including patient relationships, telephone techniques, inventory control, chart management, dental records, correspondence, filling, appointment and recall systems; computer program skills to include dental software relating to accounts payable/receivable, insurance forms, and banking procedures.
DENTL 230 Pit and Fissure Sealants and Coronal Polish
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture, 1.5 hours lab
Introduction to pit and fissure and coronal polish: Infection control, sterilization and disinfection techniques, and legal considerations for patient and occupational protection; application of Cal-DOSH, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standards and Dental Board Infection control Guidelines and CDC recommendations for healthcare settings.
DENTL 251 Dental Terminology
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture
Introduction to dental terminology: Terminology related to body structure, pathological conditions and diseases; operative terms and techniques including laboratory diagnostic procedures.
DENTL 521 Professional Standards
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture
Legal ramifications of dentistry: Emphasis on licensure and certification, duties of the dental assistant, Ethics and jurisprudence, professionalism, history of dentistry and allied organizations. Introduction and orientation to the dental assisting profession and career of dentistry.
DENTL 551 Dental Terminology
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture
Introduction to dental terminology: Terminology related to body structure, pathological conditions and diseases; operative terms and techniques including laboratory diagnostic procedures.