DAST-110 Orientation to Dentistry

Credits 1 / 1 Contact Hours
Pre-requisite: Division signature is required for registration; Program Eligibility Requirements; Placement into College Level Reading, completion of ELAP-120 with a 2.0 or higher, or successful completion of ACRD-090, ACRD-091 or ACRD-092. Co-requisite: Take DAST-111, DAST-112, DAST-113, DAST-115, DAST-116 and DAST-117.
This course is designed to introduce the dental assisting student to the profession of dentistry and dental healthcare workers including the dentist dental assistant dental hygienist and dental laboratory technician. Additional important aspects of dentistry will be discussed including the role of professional organizations and national and state credentialing requirements.

Course Outcomes
1. Define the term “dentistry” 2. Recognize basic dental health needs 3. State factors that have increased demand for dentistry in this country and ways in which the profession meets these needs 4. List the important events and people in the history of dentistry 5. Recognize the concept of teamwork 6. Identify the dental healthcare workers (DHCWs) 7. Discuss the education requirements, responsibilities, and licensure requirements for the dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, and dental laboratory technician 8. List and discuss the extra-oral, intra-oral, preventive, restorative, and chairside duties of the dental assistant 9. Discuss the role of expanded functions for dental assistants and how they relate to RDAs in Michigan 10. Discuss the role the Dental Assisting National Board plays in the certification process for dental assistants 11. Compare and contrast the requirements for certification and licensure 12. Discuss at least 6 employment opportunities, other than private practice, that are available for dental assistants 13. List the national, state, and local professional organizations for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, and briefly describe the functions of each 14. Discuss the benefits of membership in the American Dental Assistants Association 15. List and correctly spell the dental specialty areas 16. Define each dental specialty area 17. Compare and contrast the general dentist and the specialist, and the private practice and the group practice 18. Recognize the need for a professional code of ethics for the dental assistant, and legal liabilities of the dental assistant as a dental healthcare work