Dental Assisting, Diploma, DA02.2009

State Board Approval Date:	December 4, 2008
Implementation Date:	Spring 2009
Last Updated:	January 5, 2009

Dental Assisting, Diploma

Program Standard and Course Guide

General Program Standards
SPECIFIC PROGRAM STANDARDS
Admission Requirements	DA02-02-01
Provisional Program Admissions	DA02-02-04
Program Numbering	DA02-03-02
Program Course Consistency and Sequence	DA02-03-03
Program Course List
Accreditation (Guide)	Appendix A
Suggested Course Sequence (Guide)	Appendix B
Suggested Equipment List (Guide)	Appendix C

Admissions

Standard Number: DA02-02-01 (Admission Requirements)

Standard Statement

Statewide admission requirements are implemented for the Dental Assisting, Diploma program.

Explanatory Comment

Admission refers to regular admission into a diploma program.

Statewide program admission requirements consider state and national occupational licensing and certifying requirements, where applicable. The institution develops and implements clearly stated diploma program admissions policies and procedures.

Admission requirements are related to the functions of the Dental Assisting, Diploma profession.

Evaluative Criteria

The institution develops, implements, and publishes clearly stated Dental Assisting, Diploma program admission and advanced placement policies and procedures.

The requirements for admission to the Dental Assisting, Diploma program are:

a. attainment of 17 years of age;

b. documentation of high school graduation or satisfaction of High School Equivalency Certificate requirements;

c. achievement of minimum regular admission scores on tests of reading, language, and math as specified in TCSG document Minimum Program Entrance Scores; and

d. completion of application and related procedures.

Admission of transfer students to the Dental Assisting program is contingent upon their meeting the following requirements:

a. regular admission and good standing at a regionally accredited diploma or degree granting institution;

b. proper completion of application and related procedures.

Standard Number: DA02-02-04 (Provisional Admission Requirements)

Standard Statement

Statewide provisional admission requirements are implemented for the Dental Assisting, Diploma program.

Explanatory Comment

Provisional admission is granted to qualified students who do not meet the regular admission requirements of the program.

Provisionally admitted students are allowed to take developmental studies courses and/or certain occupational courses as designated in the course sequence standard.

The institution develops, implements, and publishes clearly stated policies and procedures for entry into programs on a provisional basis.

Evaluative Criteria

Provisional admission to the Dental Assisting, Diploma program is afforded those students who do not meet program requirements but do meet provisional admission requirements.

The requirements for provisional admission to the Dental Assisting, Diploma program are:

a. attainment of 17 years of age;

b. achievement of minimum provisional admission scores on tests of reading, language, and math as specified in TCSG document Minimum Program Entrance Scores;

c. recommendation by program faculty and designated admissions personnel on the basis of interview and assessment of student potential;

d. completion of application and related procedures.

All Dental Assisting, Diploma program students initially admitted on a provisional basis meet regular admission requirements prior to graduation.

Provisionally admitted students whose English, math, and/or reading achievement levels do not meet regular program admission requirements are required to enroll in developmental studies courses approved by the State Board of Technical and Adult Education.

Program Structure

Standard Number: DA02-03-02 (Program Numbering System)

Standard Statement

A Program Major Code of DA02 and a Program CIP Code of 510601 are applied to the Dental Assisting, Diploma program.

Explanatory Comment

Assignment of a statewide Program Major Code DA02 and Program CIP Code 510601 to the Dental Assisting, diploma program is the basis from which statewide programmatic consistency is developed.

Each degree/diploma/certificate program complies with the assigned Program Major Code(s) established in the relevant program-specific standards of the State Board of Technical and Adult Education.

Evaluative Criteria

Each authorized degree/diploma/certificate program is assigned a Program Major Code and Program CIP Code.

Each degree/diploma/certificate program having a given Program Major Code is consistent with all other programs throughout the state that have the same Program Major Code.

Degree/diploma/certificate programs having multiple specializations are assigned a Specialization Major Code and Specialization CIP Code for each option.

Standard Number: DA02-03-03 (Program Consistency and Sequence)

Standard Statement

The Dental Assisting, Diploma program utilizes essential course components consistent with statewide program requirements. Specific course alphanumeric identification Codes are assigned to each course. Students are required to progress through two course categories in a developmentally valid sequence.

Explanatory Comment

Programs are assigned an identical Major Code DA02 and are consistent statewide. Each specific course is assigned an alphanumeric descriptor that serves as a statewide course identification code.

Evaluative Criteria

The Dental Assisting, Diploma program is assigned a Major Code of DA02, and utilizes essential components designated for that program number statewide. Program components include, but are not limited to:

Program Title

Dental Assisting, Diploma

Program Description

The Dental Assisting accredited program prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in today’s dental offices. The Dental Assisting program provides learning opportunities which introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in the area of dental assisting. Graduates of the program receive a Dental Assisting diploma and are eligible to sit for a national certification examination.

Course Code	General Core Course Title	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
ENG 1010	Fundamentals of English I [P] ENG 097 or entrance English score in accordance with approved TCSG admission score levels; and RDG 097 or entrance reading score in accordance with approved TCSG admission score levels.	5	0	0	5	5
MAT 1012	Foundations of Mathematics [P] MAT 097 or entrance mathematics score in accordance with approved TCSG admission score levels.	5	0	0	5	5
PSY 1010	Basic Psychology [P] Provisional admission.	5	0	0	5	5
Minimum Required Hours:		15	0	0	15	15

Course Code	Occupational Course Title	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
AHS 104	Introduction to Health Care [P] Provisional admission.	2	0	3	5	3
DEN 1010	Basic Human Biology [P] Program admission.	2	0	0	2	2
DEN 1020	Head and Neck Anatomy [P/C] DEN 1010	2	0	0	2	2
DEN 1030	Preventive Dentistry [P/C] DEN 1060, DEN 1340	2	2	0	4	3
DEN 1050	Microbiology and Infection Control [P] Provisional admission.	2	2	0	4	3
DEN 1060	Oral Anatomy [P] Program admission.	5	0	0	5	5
DEN 1070	Oral Pathology and Therapeutics [P] DEN 1010, DEN 1060	3	0	0	3	3
DEN 1090	Dental Assisting National Board Examination Preparation [P] Successful completion of all dental assisting didactic courses or two years of fulltime work experience (3500 hours) as a dental assistant, along with recommendation from the dentist employer.	2	0	0	2	2
DEN 1340	Dental Assisting I [P] Program admission, AHS 104, DEN 1050, DEN 1060 [C] AHS 104, DEN 1050, DEN 1060	3	6	0	9	6
DEN 1350	Dental Assisting II [P] DEN 1340	3	6	0	9	6
DEN 1360	Dental Assisting III [P] DEN 1350	3	2	0	5	4
DEN 1370	Dental Assisting Expanded Functions [P] DEN 1340, DEN 1350 [C] DEN 1360	3	2	0	5	4
DEN 1380	Scopes of Professional Practices [P] Program admission.	1	0	0	1	1
DEN 1390	Dental Radiology [P/C] DEN 1020, DEN 1060	4	2	0	6	5
DEN 1400	Dental Practice Management [P] SCT 100, DEN 1340 [C] SCT 100	3	2	0	5	4
DEN 1460	Dental Practicum I [P] AHS 104, DEN 1050, DEN 1340 [C] DEN 1350, DEN 1390	0	0	6	6	2
DEN 1470	Dental Practicum II [P/C] DEN 1460	0	0	6	6	2
DEN 1480	Dental Practicum III [P/C] DEN 1370, DEN 1460, DEN 1470	0	0	24	24	8
SCT 100	Introduction to Microcomputers [P] Provisional admission.	1	4	0	5	3
Minimum Required Hours:		41	28	39	108	68

Program Final Exit Point

Dental Assisting, Diploma

83 minimum quarter hours credit required for graduation

Appendix A

Accreditation and Certification

The Dental Assisting, Diploma program must conform to the institutional accreditation requirements of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (COC).

This program must meet the requirements stated in the Accreditation Standards for Dental Assisting Education Programs.

Dental Assistants are certified by the Dental Assisting National Board. Students may sit for the national exam upon completion of the program.

Appendix B

General Information

Dental Assisting, Diploma Program Curriculum Model

Suggested Course Sequence

The standard curriculum for Dental Assisting, Diploma program is set up on the quarter system. A suggested sequence for the program is given below with area of specialization. Technical institutes may implement the Dental Assisting, Diploma program by using the sequences listed below or by using a locally developed sequence designed to reflect course prerequisites and/or corequisites.

Suggested Sequence I

First Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
ENG 1010	Fundamentals of English I	5	0	0	5	5
MAT 1012	Foundations of Mathematics	5	0	0	5	5
AHS 104	Introduction to Health Care	2	0	3	5	3
DEN 1010	Basic Human Biology	2	0	0	2	2
DEN 1060	Oral Anatomy	5	0	0	5	5
	Total	19	0	3	22	20

Second Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
SCT 100	Introduction to Microcomputers	1	4	0	5	3
PSY 1010	Basic Psychology	5	0	0	5	5
DEN 1020	Head and Neck Anatomy	2	0	0	2	2
DEN 1050	Microbiology and Infection Control	2	2	0	4	3
DEN 1340	Dental Assisting I	3	6	0	9	6
	Total	13	12	0	25	19

Third Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
DEN 1030	Preventive Dentistry	2	2	0	4	3
DEN 1350	Dental Assisting II	3	6	0	9	6
DEN 1390	Dental Radiology	4	2	0	6	5
DEN 1460	Dental Practicum II	0	0	6	6	2
	Total	9	10	6	25	16

Fourth Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
DEN 1070	Oral Pathology and Therapeutics	3	0	0	3	3
DEN 1360	Dental Assisting III	3	2	0	5	4
DEN 1370	Dental Assisting – Expanded Functions	3	2	0	5	4
DEN 1400	Dental Practice Management	3	2	0	5	4
DEN 1470	Dental Practicum II	0	0	6	6	2
	Total	12	6	6	24	17

Fifth Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
DEN 1090	Dental Assisting National Board Examination	2	0	0	2	2
DEN 1380	Scopes of Professional Practice	1	0	0	1	1
DEN 1480	Dental Practicum III	0	0	24	24	8
	Total	3	0	24	27	11