Aug 06, 2026  
2026-2027 Course Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Course Catalog
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DENA 1011 - Dental Assisting Pre-Clinic I

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 2 Lab 2
Course Description: This introductory course explores the roles of Certified Dental Assistant and Licensed Dental Assistant. Topics include oral health, dental nutrition, general anatomy/physiology, head & neck anatomy, OSHA guidelines, and tooth morphology. Students must be able to perform physical tasks to complete course requirements and pass a Department of Human Services background study with no restrictions. Acceptance in the Dental Assisting program is required.

 
MnTC Goals
None

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1020 or 1021 with a grade of C or higher; and COMM 1021, COMM 1031, COMM 1041 or COMM 1051 with a grade of C or high
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: Concurrently enrolled in DENA 1000  and DENA 1012 .

Major Content

  1. Techniques for aseptic conditions - including SDS information
  2.  OSHA guidelines for the dental personnel
  3. Standard and Universal precautions and personal protective equipment
  4. Basic human anatomy and physiology
  5. Blood supply of the head and neck
  6. Bones of the cranium and face, and relation to body systems
  7. Components and functions of the body system
  8. Dental nutrition, diet, and the effects on teeth
  9. Dental plaque and its relation to dental disease
  10. Diet evaluation and consultation
  11. Handling, storage, and disposal of infectious and hazardous waste
  12. Oral histology and embryology and morphology
  13. Preventative dentistry and personal oral hygiene-self brush and floss
  14. Tooth identification and anatomical features of each tooth and model waxing

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate safety techniques and the care and handling of laboratory equipment.
  2. explain the OSHA hazard communication program and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification.
  3. identify the parts of the tooth, the surrounding tissues, structures of the gingival and oral mucosa. 
  4. define the assistant’s role in preventive dentistry.
  5. demonstrate flossing and brushing on self.
  6. describe how nutrition is used in the profession of dentistry.
  7. prepare a diet evaluation for a classmate and an outside patient.
  8. identify the teeth by name, location, and anatomical structures.
  9. identify dental arches and surfaces of the teeth.
  10. reproduce teeth using dental wax on a dental cast.
  11. describe head and neck anatomy as it relates to location of structure and function.
  12. list the components and functions of each of the body systems.
  13. safely handle, store, and dispose of hazardous waste.
  14. explain hazard control techniques.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC): Goals and Competencies
Competency Goals (MnTC Goals 1-6)
None
Theme Goals (MnTC Goals 7-10)
None


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