Course Descriptions

DAS 110 - Preclinical Dental Assisting
This course provides foundational didactic content and preclinical/laboratory practice of essential dental assisting skills and chairside dental assisting functions. Topics include examination and assessment procedures, equipment and materials, instrumentation techniques, treatment procedures and the legal supportive functions/skills performed by a licensed dental assistant during restorative procedures. Preclinical practice will prepare students for clinical externship experiences in the spring semester. **DAS 110 SLN is offered as part of the D.A.R.T. online DA program. 4 Credits.

DAS 113 - Infection Control for the Dental Assistant
Focuses on the scientifically accepted principles and practices of infection control. This course will provide the dental assisting student with the core elements on infection control and barrier precautions in preparation for licensure and clinical practice. A C or better is required for transfer into DH01. Auditing is required if course was taken more than three years prior to admission into DH01. 1 Credit.

DAS 115 - Orientation to Dental Assisting Clinical Practice
This course will provide orientation activities and didactic coursework to prepare the students for the mandatory clinical externship experience. Coursework will include orientations to clinical externship facilities, review of policies and protocols, clinical observation requirements, HIPAA regulations and compliance and professional clinical practice issues. 1 Credit.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of DAS 110, DEN 111, DEN 112, DEN 113, and DEN 211.

DAS 117 - Biomedical Foundations for Dental Assisting Practice
This course will offer a didactic component that will include higher level science-based theory and case study investigation to expand the student's educational foundation, clinical application, critical thinking skills and ability to research and interpret new technologies and procedures to enhance patient treatment and promote oral health care. 3 Credits.

DAS 120 - Clinical Dental Assisting Practice
This course is the clinical phase of the program and will emphasize practical application of clinical dental assisting skills as students rotate through various dental practice facilities. Students will have opportunities to observe procedures, actively practice dental assisting functions and work with dental professionals in general dentistry and specialty practice settings. A conference component provides an opportunity to discuss clinical experiences, introduce advanced and alternative treatment modalities, discuss patient education and patient management issues, learn about medically compromised patients and emergency procedures and discuss ethical, legal and professionalism issues related to dental practice and patient treatment. 4 Credits.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of DAS 110, DEN 111, DEN 112, DEN 113, DEN 211.

DAS 121 - Dental Assisting Clinical Experience
This course accompanies DAS 117 and includes the clinical experience requirements necessary for completion of the Dental Assistant Rapid Track (DART) program. Students must successfully pass all skill competencies and meet or exceed the specific clinical experiences and hour requirements. This course will provide an opportunity to apply dental assisting skills in a clinical setting. Students will actively participate in and practice dental treatment procedures in both general dentistry and specialty areas. Specific skill competency will include those functions/procedures allowed by the New York State Education Law. 1 Credit.

DAS 122 - Advanced Biomedical Sciences for Dental Assisting Practice
This course will focus on didactic content in biomedical sciences to provide the foundational knowledge to assess and adapt to individual patient needs, provide relevant and current patient education, deliver safe and effective patient treatment and understand oral diseases and treatment options. Topics will include: embryology and histology, preventive dentistry, oral pathology, microbiology, nutrition and pharmacology. 2 Credits.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of DAS 110, DEN 111, DEN 112, DEN 113, DEN 211

DAS 227 - Dental Specialties Procedures
This course will focus on treatment procedures specific to a variety of dental specialty practices. Topics will include treatment procedures, instrumentation and armamentarium for treatment, patient education, pre and post- operative instruction, patient management techniques and the role and responsibility of the dental assistant in each specialty practice. Laboratory practice will focus on practice of competency skills including expanded functions that support and deliver patient treatment. 2 Credits.

Successful completion of all first semester DAS and DEN courses.

DAS 290 - Independent Study
See the Department Chairperson. Variable Credit.