Course Catalog

Dental Assisting, Diploma (DA12) Diploma

Campus Locations: Valdosta

Required Prerequisites

To enroll in courses with the Dental Assisting prefix (DENA), you must first complete the required prerequisite courses successfully.

The Dental Assisting accredited program prepares students for employment in various positions in today's dental offices. The Dental Assisting program provides learning opportunities that introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or retrain in dental assisting. Graduates of the program receive a Dental Assisting diploma and are eligible to earn the Georgia Expanded Duties certification and may take the Dental Assisting National Board examination.

This program qualifies for the HOPE Career Grant.

Program Outcomes: Upon program completion, students will effectively prepare dental operatories and maintain infection control protocols according to professional standards. They will proficiently assist in a variety of dental procedures, administer preventive dental techniques, and capture diagnostic radiographs while ensuring patient and operator safety. Graduates will meet the criteria for Radiology Certification and state Expanded Duties (EDDA) Certification, enabling them to legally perform coronal polish procedures in diverse dental environments.

Careers: Dental Assistant

Start Terms:

This program begins each Fall semester on the Valdosta campus.

Length of Program: 4 Terms

Admission Requirements:

General College Admissions and Placement
Be at least 17 years of age

Program-Specific Admission Requirements:

While the Dental Assisting Diploma program offers open enrollment, students must first successfully complete ENGL 1010, MATH 1012, ALHS 1011, and ALHS 1040 with a grade of 'C' or better before they can register for courses with the Dental Assisting prefix (DENA).

To enroll in DENA classes, students must maintain good academic standing at Wiregrass; those on academic warning, probation, or suspension are ineligible. Additionally, all registration holds must be cleared for registration eligibility.

Program Information

The Dental Assisting Diploma program operates on a cohort basis, requiring students to take DENA classes as prescribed by the program.
Health Science students must meet additional requirements. See the Health Science Program Advising Packet for more information.
Clinical experience is required to complete the program, and students must meet all clinical requirements defined by the clinical facility. No student will be denied admissions to a program due to these requirements; however, the clinical partner requirement may prevent a student from completing the program. Clinical requirements may include, but not limited to, some or all of the following: American Heart Association Provider CPR certification, physical examination or proof of ability to perform required duties, Tuberculin skin test, up-to-date immunizations, mandatory vaccinations, and/or titers. A criminal background check and drug screen are required prior to performing the clinical rotation. Students unable to meet clinical requirements may not be able to graduate from the program. Alternate clinical locations may not be offered or available if a student is unable to meet clinical requirements.
Due to the potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens, the dental programs strictly adhere to CDC, ADA and OSHA regulations regarding bloodborne pathogens and infection control. A complete copy of the WGTC Exposure Control plan is available for review at the dental reception desk.
The dental assisting profession requires theoretical and clinical skills and the ability to learn and apply new knowledge quickly.

The mission of the Dental Programs is to provide quality instruction, enabling students to develop knowledge, skills, and work ethics to acquire and retain entry level positions in the dental profession.

The Dental Assisting program at Wiregrass is accredited by the Commission on Dental Association (CODA), approval without reporting requirements.

Accreditation effective September 1, 2022. Next scheduled evaluation will be October 2028.

Please see the following links for information related to complaints and third Party comments.

Formal Complaint Process and Policy on Third Party Comments

Contact Information for CODA is:
Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312/440-4653
www.ada.org/coda

The Commission on Dental Accreditation will review complaints that relate to a program's compliance with the accreditation standards. The Commission is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dental and dental-related education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for treatment received by patients or individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty, staff or students. A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission's policy and procedure for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678 or by calling 1-800-621-8099 extension 4653.

Any complaints can be made to the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, or by calling 1-800-621-8099, extension 4653.

Gainful Employment Information

Curriculum Outline (54 hours)

General Core Courses	9
ENGL 1010Fundamentals of English I Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Diploma Level Reading and Writing Scores OR READ 0090 and/or ENGL 0090 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.	3
MATH 1012Foundations of Mathematics Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Diploma Level Math Scores or MATH 0090 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, geometric concepts, technical applications, and basic statistics.	3
PSYC 1010Basic Psychology Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social psychology.	3

Occupational Courses	45
ALHS 1040Introduction to Health Care Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Introduces a grouping of fundamental principles, practices, and issues common in the health care profession. In addition to the essential skills, students explore various delivery systems and related issues. Topics include: basic life support/CPR, basic emergency care/first aid and triage, vital signs, infection control/blood and air-borne pathogens.	3
ALHS 1011Structure and Function of the Human Body Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 5 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.	5
DENA 1050Microbiology and Infection Control Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Introduces fundamental microbiology and infection control techniques. Topics include: classification, structure, and behavior of pathogenic microbes; mode of disease transmission; body’s defense and immunity; infectious diseases; and infection control procedures in accordance with CDC recommendations and OSHA guidelines. Effective Fall 2019, pre-requisites will be ENGL 1010, MATH 1012, ALHS 1011, and ALHS 1040.	3
DENA 1080Dental Anatomy Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 4 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Focuses on normal head and neck anatomy and the development and functions of oral anatomy. Topics include: dental anatomy; oral histology; oral embryology; osteology of the skull; muscles of mastication and facial expression; temporal mandibular joint; blood lymphatic nerve supply of the head; and salivary glands and related structures. Effective Fall 2019, pre-requisites will be ENGL 1010, MATH 1012, ALHS 1011, and ALHS 1040.	4
DENA 1340Dental Assisting I: General Chairside Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 6 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): DENA 1050, DENA 1080 Introduces student to ethics and jurisprudence for the dental assistant and to chairside assisting with diagnostic and operative procedures. Topics include: ethics and jurisprudence in the dental office; four-handed dentistry techniques; clinical data collection techniques; introduction to operative dentistry; and dental material basics.	6
DENA 1030Preventive Dentistry Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): DENA 1080, DENA 1340 Provides students with theory and clinical experience in the area of preventive and public health dentistry. Topics include: etiology of dental disease; patient education techniques; plaque control techniques; types and use of fluoride; diet analysis for caries control; and dietary considerations for the dental patient.	1
DENA 1070Oral Pathology and Therapeutic Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): ( ALHS 1011 or DENA 1010) and DENA 1080 Co-requisite(s): None Focuses on the diseases affecting the oral cavity and pharmacology as it relates to dentistry. Topics include: identification and disease process; signs/symptoms of oral diseases and systemic diseases with oral manifestations; developmental abnormalities of oral tissues; basic principle of pharmacology; drugs prescribed by the dental profession; drugs that may contraindicate treatment; and applied pharmacology (regulations, dosage, and applications.	2
DENA 1350Dental Asst. II: Dental Specialties/EFDA Skills Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 4 Lab 2 - 6 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DENA 1340 Co-requisite(s): None Focuses on chairside assisting with dental specialty procedures. Topics include: prosthodontic procedures (fixed and removable); orthodontics; pediatric dentistry; periodontic procedures; oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures; endodontics procedures; management of dental office emergencies; medically compromised patients and expanded functions approved by law for performance by dental assistants in the state of Georgia. Student will pass a comprehensive examination and successfully perform all required clinical skills to receive EFDA certification.	7
DENA 1390Dental Radiology Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): DENA 1080 Co-requisite(s): None After completion of the course the student will be able to provide radiation safety for patient and self, expose x-rays, process x-rays, and prepare dental films for the dental office. Topics include: fundamentals of radiology and radiation safety; radiographic anatomy and interpretation; intraoral and extraoral radiographic techniques; and quality assurance techniques.	4
DENA 1460Dental Practicum I Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): DENA 1050, Co-requisite(s): DENA 1350, DENA 1390, DENA 1340 Practicum focuses on infection control in the dental office and assisting with diagnostic and simple operative procedures. Topics include: infection control procedures; clinical diagnostic procedures; and general dentistry procedures.	1
DENA 1090Dental Assisting National Board Examination Prep. Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Instructor Approval Co-requisite(s): None Reviews information concerning all didactic areas tested by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Topics include: collecting and recording clinical data; dental radiography; chairside dental procedures; prevention of disease transmission; patient education and oral health management; office management procedures; and test taking skills.	1
DENA 1400Dental Practice Management Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): COMP 2000 or COLL 1010, DENA 1340 Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes procedures for office management in dental practices. Topics include: oral and written communication; records management; appointment control; dental insurance form preparation; accounting procedures; supply and inventory control; employability skills and basic computer skills. A computer lab provides basic skills in computer use and utilization of these skills to perform office procedures on a microcomputer.	2
DENA 1470Dental Practicum II Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): DENA 1460 Practicum focuses on advanced general dentistry procedures and chairside in dental specialties with special emphasis on nonsurgical specialties. Topics include: advanced general dentistry and specialties.	1
DENA 1480Dental Practicum III Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 15 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): DENA 1460, DENA 1470 Practicum continues to focus on assisting chairside with advanced general dentistry procedures with emphasis on dental office management, preventive dentistry, and expanded functions. Topics include: advanced general dentistry procedures; preventive dentistry; dental office management; expanded functions; chairside in specialties; and management of dental office emergencies.	5