Printed on 3/28/2024

Dental Assistant

31-508-1 Technical Diploma (TD) Full Time 33 Credits Learn About Financial Aid Available Time of Day: Day Location*: Appleton

*If general education courses are required, they may be available at multiple locations.

As a dental assistant, you are an integral member of the dental health team. With this diploma, you’ll be ready to give chairside assistance and conduct lab procedures under the direction of the dentist. Learn how to disinfect and sterilize dental instruments, record dental histories and vital signs, and manage dental and medical emergencies. You will also become familiar with dental procedures, equipment and radiographs. Your training will prepare you to perform basic office and laboratory procedures. At the end of this program, you'll have the opportunity to achieve certification by taking and passing the Dental Assistant National Board. The Dental Assistant Program at FVTC is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

COURSE LIST

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Course list for reference only. Current students please refer to your individualized program plan or see your advisor.
**Outside effort hours are an estimate based on state standards, and may vary from person to person.

    Occupational Specific (30 Credits)

    Course Title
    Course Number
    Credits
    Instructional Hours
    Outside Effort Hours**
    Prior Learning Credit Eligibility
  • Dental Health Safety
    10-508-101
    1Credit
    36
    18

    • Instructional Hours: 36
    • Outside Effort Hours: 18
    • Course Number: 10508101
    • Credits: 1.00

    Prepares dental auxiliary students to respond proactively to dental emergencies, control infection, prevent disease, adhere to OSHA Standards, and safely manage hazardous materials. Students also take patient vital signs and collect patient medical/dental histories. CPR certification is a prerequisite; students will be required to show proof of certification before beginning the course. This course is aligned to serve students in the Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant programs.

    Prereq: Admission to Dental Assistant with coreq of Dental & General Anatomy, Dental Chairside, Dental Radiography, Dental Materials, DA Clinical and DA Professionalism OR Admission to Dental Hygienist and Oral Anatomy, Embryology and Histology
  • Dental Radiography
    10-508-103
    2Credit
    72
    36

    • Instructional Hours: 72
    • Outside Effort Hours: 36
    • Course Number: 10508103
    • Credits: 2.00

    Prepares students to operate x-ray units and expose bitewing, periapical, extra oral, and occlusal radiographs. Emphasis is placed on protection against x-ray hazards. Students process, mount, and evaluate radiographs for diagnostic value. In this course students demonstrate competency on a manikin. In addition, students expose bitewing radiographs on a peer, role-play patient. This course is aligned to serve students in the Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant programs.

    Prereq: Oral Anatomy, Embry & Histology, Dental Hlth Safety; Corequisite: DH Process 1 if Dental Hygiene student. If Dental Asst student, Dental Hlth Safety, Dental & Gen Anatomy, Dental Chairside, Materials, DA Clinical and DA Professionalism.
  • Dental Materials
    10-508-113
    2Credit
    54
    54

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 54
    • Course Number: 10508113
    • Credits: 2.00

    Prepares students to handle and prepare dental materials such as liners, bases, cements, amalgam, resin restorative materials, gypsum products, and impression materials. They also learn to take alginate impressions on manikins and clean removable appliances. This course is aligned to serve students in the Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant programs.

    Prereq: Oral Anatomy; Dental Hlth Safety AND Coreq: DH Process 1 if Dental Hygiene student. If Dental Asst student Coreq: Dental Hlth Safety, Dental & Gen Anatomy, Dental Chairside, Dental Radiography, DA Clinical and DA Professionalism
  • Dental Chairside
    31-508-302
    5Credit
    180
    90
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 180
    • Outside Effort Hours: 90
    • Course Number: 31508302
    • Credits: 5.00

    Prepares dental assistant students to chart oral cavity structures, dental pathology, and restorations and to assist a dentist with basic dental procedures including examinations, pain control, amalgam restoration, and cosmetic restoration. Students will also develop the ability to educate patients about preventive dentistry, brushing and flossing techniques, and dental procedures, using lay terminology. Throughout the course, students will apply decoding strategies to the correct use and interpretation of dental terminology.

    Prereq: HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACPL Read 54+/Sent 83+, Next Gen Read 250+/Sent 237+, ACT Read 18+/Engl 18+ OR Read Prep 10838105/Sent Prep 10831103: Coreq: 10508101; 31508304; 10508113; 10508103; 31508306; 31508307
  • Dental & General Anatomy
    31-508-304
    2Credit
    72
    36
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 72
    • Outside Effort Hours: 36
    • Course Number: 31508304
    • Credits: 2.00

    Prepares dental assistant students to apply fundamentals of general and dental anatomy to informed decision-making and to professional communication with colleagues and patients.

    Prereq: Admission to the Dental Assistant plan/program; Coreq: Dental Chairside; Dental Radiography; Dental Health & Safety; Dental Materials; DA Clinical; DA Professionalism
  • Dental Assistant Clinical
    31-508-306
    3Credit
    108
    54
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 108
    • Outside Effort Hours: 54
    • Course Number: 31508306
    • Credits: 3.00

    Emphasizes integration of core abilities and basic occupational skills. Students apply skills developed in Dental and General Anatomy, Dental Health Safety, Dental Chairside, Dental Materials, Dental Radiography and Dental Assistant Professionalism in a clinical setting with patients.

    Coreq: Admission to Dental Assistant plan and Dental Health Safety (10508101); Dental Chairside (31508302); Dental Materials (10508113); Dental and General Anatomy (31508304); Dental Radiography (10508103); DA Professionalism (31508307)
  • Dental Assistant Professional
    31-508-307
    1Credit
    36
    18
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 36
    • Outside Effort Hours: 18
    • Course Number: 31508307
    • Credits: 1.00

    Prepares students for professional success in a dental practice or another dental health care environment. Students develop professional appearance and image. More importantly, they learn to work within ethical guidelines and legal frameworks. In preparation for entering the work force, dental assistants customize or develop their portfolios and lay out an on-going professional development plan.

    Prereq: Admission to Dental Assistant program; Coreq: Dental Health & Safety; Dental Chairside; Dental Materials; Dental & General Anatomy; Dental Radiography; DA Clinical
  • Dental Office Management
    10-508-120
    2Credit
    36
    72
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 36
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10508120
    • Credits: 2.00

    Prepares dental auxiliary students to manage telephones, appointments, recall systems and inventory. Students also develop the skills needed to process accounts receivable and payable, collections, and third-party reimbursements. This course is aligned to serve students in the Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant programs.

    Coreq: Dental Assistant Clinical (31508306)
  • Dental Chairside - Advanced
    31-508-308
    5Credit
    180
    90
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 180
    • Outside Effort Hours: 90
    • Course Number: 31508308
    • Credits: 5.00

    Prepares Dental Assistant students to adapt chairside skills to assisting with dental specialties as they are performed in general practice. Focuses on pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics. Students will also develop the ability to assist with sealants, perform coronal polishing, and apply topical fluoride and topical anesthetics.

    Prereq: Dental Chairside; Dental Radiography; Dental & General Anatomy; Dental Health & Safety; Dental Materials; Dental Assistant Professional; Dental Assistant Clinical; Coreq: Dental Lab Procedures; Dental Radiography-Advanced
  • Dental Laboratory Procedures
    31-508-309
    4Credit
    144
    72
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 144
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 31508309
    • Credits: 4.00

    Prepares Dental Assistant students to produce alginate impressions and fabricate diagnostic models, oral appliances, temporary restorations and custom trays. Students also polish oral appliances.

    Prereq: Dental Materials; Dental Chairside; Dental Radiography; Dental & Gen Anatomy; Dental Health & Safety; Dental Assistant Clinical; Dental Assistant Professional; Coreq: Dental Chairside Adv; Dental Radiography-Adv
  • Dental Radiography - Advanced
    31-508-310
    1Credit
    36
    18
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 36
    • Outside Effort Hours: 18
    • Course Number: 31508310
    • Credits: 1.00

    Builds on principles and skills developed in Dental Radiography. Dental Assistant students expose full mouth series, extra-oral and specialized radiographs on adult and child patients. Emphasis is on protection against X-ray hazards. Students will also process, mount and evaluate radiographs for diagnostic value. In addition, they will use radiographs to explain dental health and treatment plans to patients.

    Prereq: Dental Radiography; Dental Chairside; Dental Materials; Dental & Gen Anatomy; Dental Health & Safety; Dental Assistant Professional; Dental Assistant Clinical; Coreq: Dental Chairside Advanced; Dental Lab Procedures
  • Dental Assistant Clinical - Adv
    31-508-311
    2Credit
    252
    18
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 252
    • Outside Effort Hours: 18
    • Course Number: 31508311
    • Credits: 2.00

    Emphasizes integration of core abilities and basic and advanced occupational skills. Dental assistant students apply skills developed in Dental Chairside-Advanced, Dental Lab Procedures, Dental Radiography-Advanced and Dental Office Management in a clinical setting with patients.

    Prereq: Dental Asst Clinical; Dental Chairside; Dental Materials; Dental & Gen Anat; Dental Health & Safety; Dental Radiography; Dental Asst Professional; Coreq: Dental Chairside Adv; Dental Lab Procedures; Dental Radiography-Adv; Dental Office Mgmt

    Occupational Supportive (3 Credits)

    Course Title
    Course Number
    Credits
    Instructional Hours
    Outside Effort Hours**
    Prior Learning Credit Eligibility
  • Oral/Interpersonal Comm
    10-801-196
    3Credit
    54
    108

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10801196
    • Credits: 3.00

    Focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication.

    Prereq: HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACPL Read 54+/Sent 83+, Next Gen Read 250+/Sent 237+, ACT Read 18+/Engl 15+ OR Read Prep 10838105/Sent Prep 74851745 OR not pursuing a degree
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Expected Competencies


For more information visit our Credit For Prior Learning page.