Revised 05/2020

DNA 113 - Chairside Assisting I (3 CR.)

Course Description

Provides instruction and principles of clinical chairside dental assisting, dental equipment use and maintenance, safety, instrument identification, tray set-ups by procedures, and patient data collection. Emphasis on patient management during restorative procedures.

  • Lecture 2 hours per week
  • Laboratory 3 hours per week
  • Total 5 hours per week

General Course Purpose

This course is designed to introduce the student to the knowledge and skills required of a dental assistant in clinical practice. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and practice of proper infection control methods, principles of four-handed dentistry, and restorative procedures.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

  • Prerequisites: ENG 111, NAS 159, and SDV 101
  • Corequisites: DNA 100, DNA 108, DNA 110, DNA 134 and PSY 200

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Describe the care and identify the equipment found in the operatory
  • Describe the importance for practicing proper methods of infection control
  • Describe the role of the dental assistant for preparing and disinfecting the operatory
  • Demonstrate the ability to recognize and interpret charting symbols and abbreviations, as well as utilize the appropriate symbols to record oral conditions
  • Describe the uses and maintenance for handpieces and burs
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify dental instruments and prepare tray set-ups for dental procedures
  • Describe the principles of four-handed dentistry
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform instrument exchange and high volume evacuation
  • Describe the indications and contraindications for the use of a rubber dam
  • Demonstrate the ability to place and remove a rubber dam
  • Describe the armamentarium and preparation for the administration of topical and local
  • anesthetics
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply a topical anesthetic agent
  • Describe the armamentarium and procedure for restorative procedures
  • Demonstrate the ability to assist with restorative procedures 

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Dental Operatory and Equipment
  • Ergonomics
  • Principles of Infection Control
  • Medical/Dental History
  • Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
  • Handpieces and Dental Instruments
  • Principles of Four-Handed Dentistry
  • Rubber Dam Placement and Removal
  • Topical and Local Anesthetics
  • Restorative Dentistry