Dental Assisting - Associate in Applied Science

Healthcare Pathway

96 Credits   |   8 Quarters

Pathway at a Glance

You understand the importance of health and peace of mind—whether you're tending to a patient, studying diseases, providing dietary counsel, or documenting important medical information, our Healthcare Pathway will set you on a course to making a difference every day.

 

This program has prerequisite requirements and a special application process. Learn more on the Dental Assisting Program Admissions page.

 

Pathway Map (PDF)

 

Courses by Quarter
Entry Requirements
This program has prerequisite requirements and a special application process. Learn more on the Dental Assisting Program Admissions page: https://spscc.edu/admissions/dental.
Quarter Plan: 
Quarter 1

Transition Studies Students have several options for their starting point. Some students may start in our Transition Studies programs: Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, Digital Literacy, and High School+.

 

Quarter 2

MATH101 Technical Mathematics I 5 Credits Search Schedule
Covers the theories and applications of mathematics used in technical fields with emphasis on problem solving strategies, measurement, algebra, geometry, unit conversions and the metric system. Prerequisite: Eligible for MATH 092.
Distribution: AAS, AAS-COMPUTATION

ENGL090 Integrated Reading and Writing I 5 Credits Search Schedule
Introduces students to college-level reading and writing. Focuses on reading strategies, critical thinking, and writing unified paragraphs. ENGL 090 classes are combined with ENGL 095 classes, and students who demonstrate ENGL 095 proficiency may earn ENGL 095 credit. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement based on Reading & English CPT scores or transition test.
-OR-
ENGL095 Integrated Reading and Writing II 5 Credits Search Schedule
Prepares students for entry into college-level writing courses. Focuses on reading analytically, thinking critically, and writing coherent, well-supported texts. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement based on Reading & English CPT scores or transition test.

MED103 Medical Terminology I 3 Credits Search Schedule
Explores medical terminology by combining word roots, suffixes, and prefixes. Emphasizes definitions, pronunciation, spelling, and usage in a variety of health care professions. Prerequisite: None.

CCS101 Pathways to Success 3 Credits Search Schedule
Cultivates the mind-set and skills necessary for students to become confident, reflective, self-directing, and successful learners. Prerequisite: Eligible for ENGL 090 or higher.

 

Quarter 3

Choose One 5 credit course Dental-Human Relation-Diversity:

Choose One 5 credit course Dental-Human Relation-Diversity:

CMST&210 Interpersonal Communication: Diversity 5 Credits
Focuses on understanding and developing interpersonal communication skills needed to build and maintain healthy one-on-one relationships in both personal and professional contexts. Examines how diverse communication styles can impact relationships. Prerequisite: None.
Distribution: AA, AAS, AS, DTA, DIVERSITY, AAS-SPEAKING-LISTENING, AA-AAS-T-HUMANITIES, AAS-ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATION, AAS-HUMAN RELATIONS
HUM121 Multicultural America: Diversity 5 Credits
Explores the history, cultures, and contributions of various race and ethnic groups in the United States and the complex notion of an "American" identity throughout U.S. history. Emphasizes the impacts of power, privilege, and socialization on our understanding of race and ethnicity in the American context. Prerequisite: Eligible for ENGL 098 or ENGL& 101.
Distribution: AA, AAS, AS, DTA, DIVERSITY, HUMANITIES, NURSING HUMANITIES, AAS-HUMAN RELATIONS, AA-AAS-T-HUMANITIES, HUMANITIES-CULTURAL-4QTR, HUMANITIES-CULTURAL-5QTR, FPA-Hum-Qtr 6-7-8
PSYC116 Psychology of Human Relations: Diversity 5 Credits
Introduces students to the psychology of human relationships. Examines how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors impact communication in a multicultural world. Prerequisite: Eligible for ENGL 098 or ENGL& 101.
Distribution: AA, AAS, AS, DTA, DIVERSITY, SOCIAL SCIENCE, NURSING SOCIAL SCIENCE, AAS-HUMAN RELATIONS, AA-AAS-T-SOCIAL SCIENCE, SOC-SCIENCE-CULTURAL, FPA-SocSci-Qtr 5-6-8

ENGL098 Transitional English Composition 5 Credits Search Schedule
Introduces strategies and techniques writers use to convey ideas and participate in multiple discourse communities. Focuses on both the process and product of composing. English 098 classes are combined with English 101 classes, and students who demonstrate English 101 proficiency may earn ENGL& 101 credit. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement OR a "C" or better in ENGL 095.
-OR-
ENGL&101 English Composition I 5 Credits Search Schedule
Develops strategies and techniques writers use to convey ideas and participate in multiple discourse communities. Focuses on both the process and product of composing. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement OR a "B-" or better in ENGL 095 OR a "C" or better in ENGL 098.
Distribution: AA, AAS, AS, DTA, COMMUNICATION, GER-CIS, AA-AAS-T-COMMUNICATION, AAS-COMMUNICATION: Reading/Writing, AAS-READING-WRITING

Choose One 5 credit course Dental-Additional Communication:

Choose One 5 credit course Dental-Additional Communication:

CMST&230 Small Group Communication: Diversity 5 Credits
Introduces small group communication theories and concepts with applications. Explores the communication processes used when people enter diverse organizational contexts or interact in professional and everyday life small groups. Prerequisite: None.
Distribution: AA, AAS, AS, DTA, AAS-SPEAKING-LISTENING, AAS-HUMAN RELATIONS, GER-CIS, AA-AAS-T-HUMANITIES, AAS-ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATION, DIVERSITY
CMST240 Intercultural Communication: Diversity 5 Credits
Introduces intercultural communication theories and concepts with applications. Explores the communication processes when people enter new cultural context or interact with people who have different cultural identities. Prerequisite: Eligible for ENGL 098 or ENGL& 101 or instructor's permission.
Distribution: AA, AAS, AS, DTA, DIVERSITY, HUMANITIES, NURSING HUMANITIES, AAS-SPEAKING-LISTENING, AAS-HUMAN RELATIONS, AA-AAS-T-HUMANITIES, AAS-ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATION, HUMANITIES-CULTURAL-5QTR, HUM-CULTURAL-ELECTIVE-6QTR, HUM-CULTURAL-ELECTIVE-8QTR, FPA-Hum-Qtr 6-7-8

 

 

Quarter 4

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DENT101 Orientation to Dentistry 2 Credits Search Schedule
Introduces basic terminology, anatomy, types of dental procedures, and roles related to the operations of dentistry. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT110 Dental Infection and Hazard Control 5 Credits Search Schedule
Covers infection and hazard control in the dental setting. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT141 Ethics and Jurisprudence 1 Credit Search Schedule
Introduces ethics and jurisprudence. Covers the Washington State Dental Practice Act and traditional and expanded roles of dental healthcare workers. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

Quarter 5

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DENT142 Pretreatment Analysis 2 Credits Search Schedule
Introduces the assessment of the patient's medical health history as it relates to dental treatment. Covers health history review, taking and recording of vital signs, basic pharmacology, and medical emergencies. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT151 Dental Materials I 3 Credits Search Schedule
Introduces the properties and techniques for the usage of common dental restorative materials. Covers the rationale for the selection and preparation of the materials. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT152 Instruments 3 Credits Search Schedule
Introduces instruments used for restorative dentistry, including identification, sequence of use, transfer, and grasps. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT153 Dental Science I 2 Credits Search Schedule
Covers development and identification of intra oral and extra oral structures, including terminology, histology, morphology, and pathology. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT155 Chairside Assisting I 4 Credits Search Schedule
Orients students to the Campus Dental Clinic and covers various chairside assisting skills, patient management, and the student's role in patient care. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT156 Program Clinic Practicum I 1 Credit Search Schedule
Provides hands-on learning through the program's Campus Dental Clinic to work on supportive services that may be performed by registered dental assistants in Washington State while assisting dentists in the delivery of dental services to patients from the community at large. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT162 Dental Specialties I 2 Credits Search Schedule
Introduces the specialty of endodontics and oral surgery. Includes background, procedures, and instrumentation. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

Quarter 6

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DENT160 Radiography I 4 Credits Search Schedule
Introduces dental radiography with a focus on bitewing radiographs. Covers manual and auto processing, patient and operator safety, biological effects of radiation, principles of radiography, and evaluation of radiographs. Students expose bitewing radiographs on manikins and live patients. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT161 Dental Materials II 3 Credits Search Schedule
Emphasizes fixed and removable prosthodontics. Covers the construction of custom resin temporary crowns and custom trays, the manipulation of impression materials, techniques for prepping and seating crown and bridge, and the role of dental labs. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT164 Preventive Dentistry 4 Credits Search Schedule
Covers all principles of preventive dentistry including hygiene, nutrition, coronal polishing, fluoride, and sealants using simulators and live patients. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT165 Chairside Assisting II 3 Credits Search Schedule
Covers rotary instruments, placement of dental dams, and matrices and wedges. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT172 Dental Specialties II 2 Credits Search Schedule
Introduces the specialty of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry. Includes the study of bite classifications, diagnostic records, instrumentation, appliances, and retainers. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT166 Program Clinic Practicum II 2 Credits Search Schedule
Provides students hands-on learning through the program's Campus Dental Clinic to work on supportive services that may be performed by registered dental assistants in Washington State while assisting dentists in the delivery of dental services to patients from the community at large. Students are also assigned to visitations in local dental offices to observe the delivery of dental services in different settings. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

Quarter 7

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DENT170 Radiography II 4 Credits Search Schedule
Covers full mouth sets of radiographs using the paralleling and bisecting techniques. Includes technique errors, various holding devices, quality assessment, extraoral imaging, and digital radiography. Students expose various radiographs on manikins and live patients. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT171 Dental Materials III 4 Credits Search Schedule
Emphasizes impressions and various dental appliances. Covers the manipulation of irreversible hydrocolloids, digital impressions, study models, bleaching trays, and mouth guards. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT173 Dental Science II 2 Credits Search Schedule
Covers the systems of the body and emphasizes anatomy and physiology of the head and neck region. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT174 Advanced Practice Lab 1 Credit Search Schedule
Covers skills taught in the first, second and third quarters of the program in need of further review and higher proficiencies. Culminates in a portfolio or comparable lab project to provide students more practice. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT175 Chairside Assisting III 2 Credits Search Schedule
Covers the consideration of the diversity of others and how bias impacts our relationships with patients and peers. Includes a group research project and written and oral dental related reports. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT176 Program Clinic Practicum III 2 Credits Search Schedule
Provides students hands-on learning through the program's Campus Dental Clinic to work on supportive services that may be performed by registered dental assistants in Washington State while assisting dentists in the delivery of dental services to patients from the community at large. Students are also assigned to visitations in local dental offices to observe the delivery of dental services in different settings. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT179 Dental Office Management 2 Credits Search Schedule
Introduces business administration procedures for the dental office and utilizes a Dentrix software program. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

Quarter 8

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DENT180 Externship Practicum 8 Credits Search Schedule
Provides students hands-on learning through externship sites to work on supportive services that may be performed by registered dental assistants in Washington State while assisting dentists in the delivery of dental services to patients. Students are evaluated on-site both by the course instructor and by clinic personnel on chairside assisting, patient management skills, application of team concepts, and professionalism under the supervision of the clinic staff and dentist. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.
DENT181 Advanced Theory 2 Credits Search Schedule
Prepares the student to take the Dental Assisting National Board Exam and become a Certified Dental Assistant. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

Print Pathway Map
Program Student Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the Dental Assisting Program, the successful student will be able to:

  • Effectively, independently, and efficiently perform supportive services that may be performed by registered dental assistants in Washington State
  • Maintain safe environments in the dental setting by following state and federal standards, professional and ethical standards, and using effective communication
  • Measure, record, interpret, and report data in both clinical and office settings
  • Engage in processes that support continual improvement  
Helpful Notes

Program Costs

In addition to tuition & fees, other costs (approximate and subject to change) are:

  • Non-refundable application fee $25
  • Hepatitis B vaccination $250
  • Tuberculosis clearance $100
  • Malpractice insurance $17
  • Name tag $15
  • Printing $50
  • Basic Life Support (CPR) training $100
  • Textbooks and supplies $300
  • Dental instruments and supplies $1,000
  • Lab fee $200
  • Typodont model $175
  • National Board exam $524
  • Uniforms and shoes $300
  • Clinical uniform scrub fee $150

Uniform information will be provided during advising & registration for those accepted into the program.

 

Earning the Degree

An Associate in Applied Science Degree will be awarded upon successful completion of a minimum of 90 credits in courses numbered 100 or above. All core and general education distribution requirements must be met, with any additional credits to be selected as electives. Courses coded DENT must be taken in succession. All DENT courses and general education requirements must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to continue in and complete the program.

Accreditation

The Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda

Revision Date: 
Wednesday, April 14, 2021