Dental Assisting
15 courses · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
DA A100 Dental Anatomy
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Anatomical structures of the head and neck. Emphasis on tooth growth, development, and their surrounding structures. Morphology of permanent and primary teeth. Identification of types of occlusions and related terminology.
DA A101 Patient Care for Dental Assistants
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course must be taken in the first eight weeks of the fall semester prior to the first clinical rotation and in addition to the other mandatory dental assisting courses. Content includes orientation to the clinical setting including legal and ethical issues, patient care techniques, emergency interventions, dental asepsis and instrument processing, CPR (HCP) level, OSHA blood borne pathogen training, disease transmission and infection prevention, HIPAA training and waste management.
DA A110 Chairside Techniques 1
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Corequisite
- DA A120.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Four handed dentistry. History of the dental profession, Dental Practice Act, law and ethics. Charting, infection control protocols, sterilization procedures, use and maintenance of dental operatory equipment. Laboratory experience includes basic application of operative procedures. Course requires purchase of an appropriate clinical uniform and patient care safety goggles.
DA A115 Chairside Techniques 2
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DA A110.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is a continuation of DA A110 Chairside Techniques 1 with an emphasis on dental specialties, and application of coronal polish for state certification.
DA A120 Dental Materials
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Corequisite
- DA A110.
- Transfers to
- CSU
A comprehensive study of materials, including composition and characteristics. Emphasis on use of restorative dental materials and gypsum products. Lab exercises include manipulation of materials, taking impressions, pouring casts and trimming models. Construction of acrylic and metal temporaries and bleaching trays.
DA A125 Expanded Functions
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DA A110 and DA A120.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Emphasis on expanded functions for the registered dental assistant. Laboratory practice and preclinical evaluations. Students will practice mock written testing in preparation for state licensing board examinations.
DA A130 Preventive and Community Dentistry
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours
- Corequisite
- DA A110.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Discussion of current concepts of preventive dentistry. Etiology of dental disease, nutrition, oral hygiene techniques, and home care are covered in detail. Applied psychology for the dental patient is presented. Includes community dental project.
DA A140 Dental Radiography 1
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Corequisite
- DA A110.
- Transfers to
- CSU
A study of the principles of x-ray production and physics, biological effects, radiation safety procedures, and monitoring. Film identification, processing and mounting procedures and introduction to the bitewing, bisection, and paralleling techniques and practical application are presented.
DA A145 Specialized Practices
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 21 lecture hours; 45 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DA A140.
- Corequisite
- DA A165.
- Transfers to
- CSU
In-depth study of bisecting and paralleling techniques employed in patient intraoral radiographs. Analysis and correction of techniques and processing errors, clinical laboratory experience exposing x-rays on patients utilizing bisecting, and paralleling techniques including film processing and mounting for various radiographic examinations. Pit and Fissure sealant laboratory practice. Preclinical and Clinical performance and evaluations of pit and fissure sealant placement.
DA A150 Biomedical Sciences
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours
- Corequisite
- DA A125 and DA A165.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Specialized Practice in chairside dental assisting, including microbiology of the oral cavity, oral pathology, and the State Dental Practice Act and regulations.
DA A160 Clinical Experience 1
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 8 lecture hours; 64 lab hours
- Corequisite
- DA A101, DA A110, DA A120, DA A130 and DA A140.
- Transfers to
- CSU
The first clinical experience in the practice of dental assisting. Each student will be assigned to UCLA School of Dentistry or in dental office. Students are required to follow the dress code standards set up by the program, UCLA School of Dentistry, dental office, and Cal-DOSH mandates. Eight hours weekly for eight weeks with one hour seminar weekly. Offered on a grade basis only.
DA A163 Clinical Experience 2
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 other hours
- Prerequisite
- DA A160.
- Transfers to
- CSU
The second in a series of opportunities for clinical practice of concepts in dental assisting. Each student will be assigned to a dental office for either general dentistry or a specialty practice. Students are required to follow the dress code standards set up by the program according to ADA guidelines and OSHA mandates. 54 hours clinical.
DA A165 Clinical Experience 3
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours; 108 lab hours
- Corequisite
- DA A115, DA A125, DA A145, and DA A163.
- Transfers to
- CSU
The third in a series of opportunities for clinical practice of concepts in dental assisting. Each student will be assigned to a dental office for either general dentistry or a specialty practice. Students are required to follow the dress code standards set up by the program according to ADA guidelines-and OSHA mandates. Lecture, 108 hours clinical.
DA A168 Clinical Experience 4
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 1 lecture hours; 54 other hours
- Prerequisite
- DA A165 or concurrent enrollment.
- Transfers to
- CSU
The fourth clinical rotation in which the students will be placed in a general dentistry and/or dental specialty setting. Students are required to follow the dress code standards required by the program and OSHA mandates. One hour seminar, thirty-two hours weekly for two weeks.
DA A175 Principles of Business and Practice Management
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- DA A100.
- Transfers to
- CSU
An introduction to dental office administration, including dental records and charting, HIPAA regulations, communication skills, financial management appointment scheduling, payroll, and insurance claim processing. Students will be trained to use Dentrix Dental Software program to become knowledgeable in all areas of practice management utilizing the computer.