Dental Assisting (DNA) at Mountain Empire Community College
Distance Learning
Time of Day
Term
- DNA 103 - Introduction to Oral Health
- Teaches anatomy of the head and neck, the oral cavity hard and soft tissues, as well as tooth morphology. Includes dental terminology, deciduous and permanent dentition as well as pathology.Lecture 1 hour per week.
1 credits - DNA 108 - Dental Science
- Studies head and neck anatomy, tooth morphology, pathological conditions of the oral cavity, disease processes, and microbiology.Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.
3 credits - DNA 109 - Practical Infection Control
- Studies principles of management of disease producing microorganisms and associated diseases. Emphasizes sterilization, asepsis, and disinfection techniques applicable in the dental office.Lecture 1-2 hours. Laboratory 2-3 hours. Total 3-5 hours per week.
2-3 credits - DNA 110 - Dental Materials
- Studies the materials utilized in the laboratory aspect of dentistry as support in treatment. Emphasis is placed on the characteristics, manipulation, economical control, storage, and delivery of materials.Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.
3 credits - DNA 113 - Chairside Assisting I
- Provides instruction on the principles of clinical chair side 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. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.
3 credits - DNA 114 - Chairside Assisting II
- Introduces the student to the various dental specialties including oral surgery, orthodontics, periodontic, prosthodontics, endodontics, and pediatric dentistry. Integrates and applies previous course content to operative dental procedures.Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 6 hours. Total 8 hours per week.
4 credits - DNA 120 - Community Health
- Studies topics related to community health issues including identification of specific diseases, symptoms, causes, and effects. An emphasis is placed on the promotion of oral health in the community through patient education in oral home care techniques, dietary counseling, plaque control procedures and application of medicinal agents.Lecture 1 hour per week.
1 credits - DNA 130 - Dental Office Management
- Exposes students to and provides practical experience in the legal aspects of dental office management with regard to ethics, jurisprudence, appointment control, recall systems, reception techniques, telephone techniques, accounts receivable and payable, payroll, insurance claims, inventory control, and professional conduct in a dental office.Lecture 1-2 hours. Laboratory 1-3 hours. Total 2-5 hours per week.
2-3 credits - DNA 135 - Dental Radiation Safety
- Studies techniques and devices used for protection from ionizing radiation. Teaches biological effects, cell sensitivity and genetic effects of ionizing radiation. Includes practice of bisection and parallel techniques on manikins. Prepares employed dental staff to meet the Virginia Board of Dentistry's regulations for certification in dental radiation safety hygiene.Lecture 1 hour. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 4 hours per week.
2 credits - DNA 140 - Externship
- Exposes students to the fast pace of a dental practice while they perform support services with an established team.Lecture 1 hour. Laboratory 12 hours. Total 13 hours per week.
5 credits - DNA 190 - Coordinated Internship
- Supervises on-the-job training in selected business, industrial or service firms coordinated by the college.Credit/practice ratio not to exceed 1:5 hours. May be repeated for credit. Variable hours.
1-5 credits
