Dental Assisting
14 courses · San Jose City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
DENT 151 Dental Anatomy and Vital Signs
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 2, Lab Hours: 3
- Corequisite
- DENT 152 and DENT 153, previous or concurrent
Students will be introduced to the general principles and basic concepts of the anatomy and physiology of the human body, with emphasis on the structures of the head and neck, oral cavity, human dentition, tooth morphology, oral embryology and histology and how each component interrelates to the body systems. Students will acquire the skills necessary to obtain a patient's medical and dental health history and vital signs. With the use of diagnostic techniques, students will demonstrate on a patient a clinical examination and chart findings.
DENT 152 Infection Control, Safety, and Oral Evacuation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 2, Lab Hours: 3
- Corequisite
- DENT 151 and DENT 153, previous or concurrent
Students will learn in-depth principles and concepts of disease transmission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, and infection control recommendations by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that meet the Dental Board of California's requirement for licensing. Students are introduced to microbiology and diseases caused by specific pathogens. Principles and techniques in sterilization and disinfection of instruments and equipment are covered in-depth. Students learn how to use and maintain dental operatory equipment, position operator, assistant, and patient, set-up, instrument transfer, soft tissue retraction methods, and oral evacuation skills.
DENT 153 Preventive Dentistry
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 1, Lab Hours: 1.5
- Prerequisite
- Proof of Hepatitis B vaccine and 2-step TB test (2 TB tests) within the last year or a negative chest x-ray within the last year and Proof of Influenza vaccine or a signed declination form for each
Students will learn the history of dentistry, current concepts in dental care, nutrition, fluoride, communication skills, and preventive dentistry, along with Dental Assisting functions, education, and scope of practice. Students will engage in community-based learning experiences. Students will also earn CPR/BLS for Healthcare Practitioners Certification.
DENT 154 Radiation Safety 1
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 2, Lab Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- DENT 151, DENT 152 and DENT 153; all with C or better
- Corequisite
- DENT 155 and DENT 156, previous or concurrent
Students will learn the principles and biological effects of radiation, components of the dental radiographic equipment, intra-oral exposure techniques, radiation safety, mounting, and infection control procedures used when exposing radiographs on a mannequin. This highly technical course prepares the student to take diagnostically effective radiographic images, and be introduced to digital radiography software and techniques. The Dental Board of California requires students to pass the written exam with a minimum score of 75% prior to beginning radiographic exposures on patients.
DENT 155 Basic Chairside Assisting
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 2, Lab Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- DENT 151, DENT 152 and DENT 153; all with C or better
- Corequisite
- DENT 154 and DENT 156, previous or concurrent
Students will focus on the principles and skills of four-handed dentistry, during operative procedures performed in a general dental office. Concepts, preclinical instructions and directives include preparing and assisting for the administration of local anesthetic, placement of dental dam and matrix systems, instrument identification and transfer, burs and handpiece maintenance, manipulation and transfer of dental materials, and assisting during restorative procedures. Students will also learn the basics of irreversible dental materials and taking of alginate impressions on typodonts.
DENT 156 Assisting With Prosthodontics and Laboratory Procedures
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 1, Lab Hours: 1.5
- Prerequisite
- DENT 151, DENT 152 and DENT 153; all with C or better
- Corequisite
- DENT 154 and DENT 156, previous or concurrent
Students build on chairside assisting and manipulation of dental materials skills learned in previous courses. Emphasis is on properties, uses, and handling of dental materials and practices associated with prosthodontic procedures. The course will introduce RDA skills and the student will demonstrate the technical skills and knowledge necessary to assist and/or work independently in manipulating dental materials, fabricating, custom provisional crowns and bridges, custom trays, assembling a facebow, and manipulation of other bite registration materials. Students will get familiarization with taking digital impressions,and assist with obtaining final impressions. Students will get an introduction with using a model trimmer to cut gypsum models.
DENT 161 Radiation Safety 2 With Coronal Polishing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 2, Lab Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- DENT 154 and DENT 155 and DENT 156; all with C or better and current CPR Certification (Adult/Infant/Child).
Students will learn advanced digital radiography techniques including imaging of edentulous patients, occlusal, panoramic, and pediatric radiography as well as pharmacology and dental emergency management. The course emphasizes patient management and legal protocols. Training includes coronal polishing on typodonts and patients and performing full mouth surveys per CODA and CA Dental Board standards. Upon successful completion of clinical experiences consisting of at least three fullmouth intraoral radiographic series using any dental radiographic image receptor or device deemed appropriate by the course director or supervising dentist, students will be issued the California Radiation Safety Certificate.
DENT 162 California Dental Law & Ethics
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 1, Lab Hours: 1.5
- Prerequisite
- Take DENT 154 and DENT 155 and DENT 156; with C or better.
- Corequisite
- DENT 161, previous or concurrent
Students will continue to build upon basic and fundamental skills to explore the duties, responsibilities, and tasks of a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) as described in the California Dental Practice Act. Students learn intermediate and advanced skills as required when working in the dental field as an RDA. This course will provide information regarding law and ethics, and managing the RDA Licensure which is required for RDA certification.
DENT 163 Dental Specialties
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 2, Lab Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- DENT 154, DENT 155 and DENT 156; all with C or better
- Corequisite
- DENT 161 and DENT 162, previous or concurrent
Students will acquire dental assisting skills and knowledge specific to dental specialties: Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Pathology, and Endodontics. The importance of patient management and the required legal protocols are followed throughout the course. The allowable specialized duties designated by the California Dental Board are taught in-depth in lab and pre-clinical competency level.
DENT 164 Dental Office Administration
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 0.5, Lab Hours: 1.5
- Prerequisite
- DENT 156 with C or better
- Corequisite
- DENT 163, previous or concurrent
Students will learn office administration skills for a dental practice using a computerized management system. The student will apply skills necessary to bill dental insurance, schedule appointments, maintain a recall system, develop telephone etiquette, manage filing systems, update patient accounts and treatment plans. Students will learn basic bookkeeping systems, develop financial arrangements and accounts receivable, and practice professional written and verbal communication skills. In addition, the student will learn marketing, dental law, ethics, and legal responsibilities as they pertain to the business office and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
DENT 165 Pits and Fissures Sealant
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 0.5, Lab Hours: 1.5
- Prerequisite
- DENT 152 (Must be completed within the last two years) and DENT 161; with a C or better, and Current CPR Certification (Adult/Infant/Child)
Students will undergo both theoretical and practical training and will take the board-approved written and practical examination. This course includes laboratory instruction using typodonts and/or mounted extracted teeth, as well as clinical experience on four patients, with two of the four patients serving as subjects for the clinical examination. Upon completion of the Dental Assisting Program, a certificate of completion is awarded to those achieving a 75% or higher score, as required by the Dental Board of California.
DENT 171 Externship 1: Clinical Experience With Ethics and Mandated Reporting
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 0.5, Lab Hours: 6
- Prerequisite
- DENT 154 and DENT 155 and DENT 156; all with C or better
Students will complete a minimum of 100 hours of unpaid clinical externship at a general dental office, performing chairside assisting, lab work, and business office duties per the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and the California Dental Practice Act. This course also covers substance abuse, reporting abuse/violence and diversion programs related to dentistry and mandated reporting. Students will also have the opportunity to share and discuss their clinical experiences with the class as required by CODA.
DENT 172 Externship 2: Clinical Experience With Career Preparation
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 0.5, Lab Hours: 6
- Prerequisite
- DENT 171 with C or better
Students will complete a minimum of 100 hours of unpaid clinical externship at a general dental office, performing chairside assisting, lab work, and business office duties per the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and the California Dental Practice Act. Students focus on increasing skills and knowledge to achieve intermediate clinical-level dental assisting and RDA skills. They receive in-depth coverage of securing and maintaining employment, laws governing employment, and CAL-OSHA's Employee's Right to Know Act. This course also covers career preparation. Students will also have the opportunity to share and discuss their clinical experiences with the class as required by CODA.
DENT 173 Externship 3: Advanced Clinical Experience and Board Exam Preparation
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 0.5, Lab Hours: 6
- Prerequisite
- DENT 172 with C or better
Students will complete a minimum of 100 hours of unpaid clinical externship at a specialty dental office and/or general dental practice that performs specialty dental treatment, to achieve advanced clinical-level skills per the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and the California Dental Practice Act. Students will complete CA RDA examination application form, and review for The California RDA Combined General Written and Law Examination and The DANB General Chairside, Infection Control, and Radiation Safety Examinations. Students will also have the opportunity to share and discuss their clinical experiences with the class as required by CODA.