Dental
24 courses · Shasta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
DNTL-10 Oral Biology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture/13 lab total
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers the study of embryology and histology of oral structural formation, clinical recognition of normal oral structures, the physiological and structural functions of teeth and supporting tissues, and oral anatomy relative to proper dental hygiene procedures.
DNTL-11 Oral Radiology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture/54 lab total
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course focuses on radiation physics, biology, protection, quality, dental techniques, interpretation of errors, recognition of anatomical landmarks, and recognition of pathologies. Students practice and demonstrate competence using radiographic models and student patients in a clinical setting; all skills are taught to clinical competence. This course builds on basic dental sciences and prepares for clinical dental hygiene practice.
DNTL-12 Head and Neck Anatomy
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture/27 lab total
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course studies the anatomical structures of the head and neck regions and relates these structures to the clinical practice of Dental Hygiene.
DNTL-13 Dental Health Education/Seminar
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 36 lecture total
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers the principles and practices of prevention and control of dental disease with an emphasis on nutrition, plaque control, motivation, and chairside patient education.
DNTL-14 Introduction to Clinic
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 36 lecture/108 lab total
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course offers an introduction to all clinical procedures and skills needed for Dental Hygiene.
DNTL-20 Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 18 lecture/54 lab total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 10, DNTL 11, DNTL 12, and DNTL 14 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers the pharmacology and physiology of local anesthetic agents and effective technique in delivery of these agents to the oral cavity. Focuses on the anatomy of the nerves, physiology of nerve conduction, and how anesthesia works. Discusses the prevention and management of associated emergencies. Skills are practiced in a clinical setting on student patients; all skills are taught to clinical competence.
DNTL-21 General and Oral Pathology
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 72 lecture total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 10, DNTL 11, DNTL 12, DNTL 13, and DNTL 14 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers pathological processes of inflammation, immunology defense, degeneration, neoplasm, developmental disorders, and healing and repair. It also includes recognition of abnormalities in the human body, with a special emphasis on normal and abnormal conditions in the oral cavity.
DNTL-23 Patient Management and Geriatrics
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 36 lecture total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 10, DNTL 11, DNTL 12, DNTL 13, and DNTL 14 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course teaches the characteristics of individual patients, the motivation of patients, and the management of patients with special needs. Treatment of the compromised patient and myofunctional therapy is presented.
DNTL-24 Clinical Practice I
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 18 lecture/162 lab total*
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 10, DNTL 11, DNTL 12, DNTL 13, and DNTL 14 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides beginning clinical experience in the treatment of adult and child patients. Various clinical procedures utilizing scaling and polishing techniques, oral inspection, cancer screening, dental and periodontal charting, principles of ultrasonic scaling, plaque control instruction and fluoride application will be taught.
DNTL-25 Clinic I Seminar
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 36 lecture total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 10, DNTL 11, DNTL 12, DNTL 13, and DNTL 14 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides expanded learning opportunities related to clinical dental hygiene care through lecture, discussion, and demonstration.
DNTL-26 Nutrition in Dentistry
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 lecture total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 10, DNTL 11, DNTL 12, DNTL 13, and DNTL 14 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides the basic principles of nutrition with relation to oral health. The intention of this course is to provide students with the skills necessary to perform dietary surveys on clinic patients and plan nutritional dietary programs to address patient needs.
DNTL-27 Summer Clinic 27
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 lab total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 11, DNTL 12, DNTL 14, DNTL 20, DNTL 23, and DNTL 24 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course will provide students with the opportunity to become more proficient in the clinical skills learned and practiced during previous clinical courses including instrumentation techniques, patient assessment, and administration of local anesthesia.
DNTL-30 Periodontology I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 20, DNTL 21, DNTL 23, DNTL 24, DNTL 25, and DNTL 26 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
A course in Periodontology teaches the scientific study of the structures and function of the periodontium in both health and disease the etiology and principles of periodontal diseases, examination procedures, treatment, and preventative measures.
DNTL-31 Pharmacology
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 36 lecture total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 20, DNTL 21, DNTL 23, DNTL 24, DNTL 25, and DNTL 26 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course focuses on pharmacology as it affects the clinical practice of dental hygiene. Emphasizes drugs commonly used in the dental profession for treatment of common systemic and oral diseases and for emergency treatment. Focuses on the effects, administration, and toxicology of pharmacodynamics. Builds on basic and dental sciences and prepares for clinical dental hygiene practice.
DNTL-32 Dental Materials
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 36 lecture/18 lab total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 20, DNTL 21, DNTL 23, DNTL 24, DNTL 25, and DNTL 26 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course presents the history, composition, chemical and physical properties and use of materials commonly utilized in the dental laboratory and dental operatory. Builds on dental sciences. Provides laboratory experience in performing common dental laboratory procedures and prepares for the clinical practice of extended functions. All skills are taught to competence.
DNTL-33 Advanced Clinical Topics
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 36 lecture total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 20, DNTL 21, DNTL 23, DNTL 24, DNTL 25, and DNTL 26 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to present advanced topics and current technology used in the dental and dental hygiene field such as soft tissue curettage, root morphology and periodontal instrumentation, oral brush biopsy, non-surgical periodontal dressings, care for dental implants, oral maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics.
DNTL-34 Clinical Practice II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 216 lab total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 20, DNTL 21, DNTL 23, DNTL 24, DNTL 25, and DNTL 26 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers advanced skills of dental hygiene practice, including assessment and treatment, which are practiced on patients in a clinical setting, with emphasis on planning and comprehensive treatment; all skills are taught to competencies specific to the course. This course expands on the procedures and techniques introduced in previous preclinical and clinical courses. Builds on basic dental sciences and prepares for clinical dental hygiene practice.
DNTL-35 Clinical II Seminar
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 lecture total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 20, DNTL 21, DNTL 23, DNTL 24, DNTL 25, and DNTL 26 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides an expanded learning experience through discussion of dental hygiene care for the culturally diverse, tobacco cessation counseling, and seminar study of clinical cases. Builds on basic and dental sciences and prepares for clinical dental hygiene practice.
DNTL-40 Periodontology II
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 lecture total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 30, DNTL 31, DNTL 32, DNTL 33, DNTL 34, and DNTL 35 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is a course to enhance assessment skills applicable in the treatment of patients with advanced periodontal disease. The goal of this course is to teach the dental hygienist ethical and clinical responsibility in periodontal disorders and to teach the relationship of the specialty practice of periodontics within the broad scope of dentistry and the legal ramifications thereof.
DNTL-41 Practice and Financial Management
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 lecture total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 30, DNTL 31, DNTL 32, DNTL 33, DNTL 34, and DNTL 35 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers office practice management, ethical and legal aspects of dentistry and dental hygiene, and business matters relating to dental hygiene practice.
DNTL-42 Clinic III Seminar
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 18 lecture/54 lab total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 30, DNTL 31, DNTL 32, DNTL 33, DNTL 34, and DNTL 35 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides an expanded clinical experience exposure through independent study or additional clinical experience.
DNTL-43 Clinical Practice III
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 216 lab total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 30, DNTL 31, DNTL 32, DNTL 33, DNTL 34, and DNTL 35 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides students with the opportunity to become more proficient in the clinical skills learned and practiced in previous clinical courses and to prepare them for success on their state and national board examinations.
DNTL-44 Community Oral Health
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 30, DNTL 31, DNTL 32, DNTL 33, DNTL 34, and DNTL 35 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces students to the principles and practices of dental public health. The emphasis is placed on the role of the dental hygienist as an innovator of, and an educator in community health programs. Public health issues will be introduced and completely discussed.
DNTL-45 Ethics and Jurisprudence
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 36 lecture total
- Prerequisite
- DNTL 30, DNTL 31, DNTL 32, DNTL 33, DNTL 34, and DNTL 35 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is a study of the fundamental factors necessary to be employed and practice within the ethical and legal framework of the State Dental Practice Act and Code of Ethics of the American Dental Association.