Dental Assisting Curriculum

Female dental assistant

Diploma

The Dental Assistant Diploma program is designed to provide the student with the skills to assist the dentist in the delivery of dental treatment and to function as key members of the dental team. The student will learn chair-side procedures, how to take x-rays, office and laboratory procedures, as well as various specialty procedures that will enable the successful student to qualify for an entry level position as a Dental Assistant. Graduates from this program will have the fundamental skills to secure employment into areas of dentistry such as general/specialty dental offices, public health facilities, hospital dental departments, correctional facilities, schools/universities, clinics and dental suppliers. Students will and practice procedures and gain proficiency in a spacious classroom and modern dental laboratory using equipment, materials, and instruments comparable to those used in an actual dental facility. 

Program Requirements Quarter Course Credit Hours
SFS140   Strategies for Success 4
DEN101   Fundamentals of Dental Assisting 3
DEN102   Dental Sciences 6
DEN103   Dental Emergencies 6
DEN104   Dental Materials 6
DEN105   Chairside Assisting 6
DEN106   Dental Radiology 6
DEN107   Dental Specialties 6
DEN108   Dental Administration 6
DEN109   Advanced Dental Assisting 6
DEN110   General Dentistry Externship 7
DEN111   Professional Seminar and Dental Specialty Externship 5
Total Quarter Credit Hours Required 68

Associate of Applied Science Degree

The Dental Assistant Associate of Applied Science Degree program is designed to provide the student with the skills to assist the dentist in the delivery of dental treatment and to function as key members of the dental team. The student will learn chair-side procedures, how to take x-rays, office and laboratory procedures, as well as various specialty procedures that will enable the successful student to qualify for an entry level position as a Dental Assistant. Graduates from this program will qualify to apply for a Registered Dental Assisting license through the state of Tennessee, and have the fundamental skills to secure employment into areas of dentistry such as general/specialty dental offices, public health facilities, hospital dental departments, correctional facilities, schools/universities, clinics and dental suppliers. Students will and practice procedures and gain proficiency in a spacious classroom and modern dental laboratory using equipment, materials, and instruments comparable to those used in an actual dental facility. 

This program requires all the courses in the Dental Assisting Diploma Program as well as the following:

Program Requirements Quarter Course Credit Hours
CIS106*   Computer Applications 4
COM208*   Public Speaking 4
CRT210*   Critical Thinking 4
ENG101*   General English 4
ENG211*   Composition 4
MTH103*   College Math 4
PSY202*   Principles of Psychology 4
Total Credit Hours Required 96

*This course fulfills a general education requirement.

September 8, 2017

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