Dental Assisting
14 courses · Palomar College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
DA 47 Dental Assisting Topics
- Units
- 0.5-4
- Hours
- 0.50-4.00 hours lecture, 1.50-12.00 hours lab
Topics in Dental Assisting. See Class Schedule for specific topic offered. Course title will designate subject covered.
DA 50 Introduction to Dental Sciences and Dental Occupations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
General orientation to dental assisting. Introduction to basic oral anatomy, oral hygiene techniques and prevention, human behavior, dental nomenclature, dental assisting, history of dentistry, ethics, role of the dental assistant and other auxiliary personnel; licensing and certification of dental assistants; dental jurisprudence and malpractice; California Dental Practice Act, psychology and observation in dental offices.
DA 57 Dental Sciences and Anatomy
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
Introduction of dental terminology, histology, embryology, tooth growth, eruption, and anatomy; head and neck anatomy, and physiology of the body. Form and function of individual teeth, occlusion, oral pathology, diet and nutrition, relation of oral health to general health, microbiology, disease control and dental pharmacology.
DA 60 Dental Materials
- Units
- 3.5
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture, 1.50 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- Admission to the Registered Dental Assisting Program
Chemical properties and uses of dental materials and solutions; manipulative techniques and methods of preparation.
DA 65 Dental Practice Management
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 2.00 hours lecture, 1.00 hours lab
- C-ID
- DENA 100 X
Reception and care of the patient in the dental office, communication skills, telephone techniques, appointment scheduling, dental computer software, dental records (charting health and dental history), filing, bookkeeping, accounts receivable and accounts payable, inventory management, principles of and use of insurance forms and collections.
DA 70 Dental Radiography I
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- 2.00 hours lecture, 2.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- Admission to the Registered Dental Assisting Program
Theory and technique of oral radiography, radiation hygiene, anatomical landmarks, and methods and materials for processing radiographs using film and dental radiography. The laboratory portion will provide the student with knowledge concerning film and digital sensor placement, cone angulation, exposing and developing radiographs, and mounting and evaluating processed films and digital radiographs.
DA 71 Dental Radiography II
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DA 50; DA 70; proof of Hepatitis B Immunization; current BLS for Healthcare Providers Certificate
Advanced clinical experience regarding film and digital sensor placement, cone angulation, exposing and developing radiographs, mounting and evaluating radiographs.
DA 75 Dental Operative Procedures
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture, 6.00 hours lab
Applications of and introduction to preclinical dental assisting in operative and specialty dental procedures, care of equipment, instrumentation, infection control, disease transmission, charting, utilization of dental materials, dental office emergencies, and functions delegated to the California Registered Dental Assistant.
DA 82 Preventive Dentistry I
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 1.00 hours lecture, 1.50 hours lab
This course teaches laboratory and clinical applications of coronal polishing, periodontics, preventive dentistry and placement of pit and fissure sealants.
DA 83 Preventive Dentistry II
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DA 82
Application of concepts and skills from DA 82. Emphasis is on the coronal polishing procedure and pit and fissure sealants as applied to clinical patients.
DA 85 Advanced Dental Procedures
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture, 6.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DA 50; DA 60; DA 75
Advanced laboratory and clinical experience focusing on basic skills previously learned. Emphasis is placed on 1) clinical use of impression materials for obtaining study models, 2) pouring and trimming plaster and stone models, 3) fabrication of custom trays, 4) fabrication of provisional restorations and 5) advanced prosthodontic and orthodontic instruction.
DA 91 Clinical Rotation I
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DA 75
An introductory clinical externship course working with dentists, dental staff and dental patients at assigned clinical site.
DA 92 Advanced Clinical Rotation
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 15.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DA 91
An intensive program of clinical dental experiences, working with patients and staff at clinics and/or private dental offices. Students will assist the dentists in specialized and operative procedures and duties delegated to the California licensed Registered Dental Assistant.
DA 97 Dental Assisting Topics
- Units
- 0.5-4
- Hours
- 0.50-4.00 hours lecture, 1.50-12.00 hours lab
Topics in Dental Assisting. See Class Schedule for specific topic offered. Course title will designate subject covered.