Dental Assisting Program Application Information

Submit to Lamar State College Orange:

1. Application for admission to Lamar State College Orange 
2. An official high-school transcript or GED Certification
3. Original transcripts of all college work completed at other colleges or universities.
4. A copy of your driver’s license.
5. A copy of your social security card.

Please contact the Office of Admissions and records at (409) 882-3364 if you have questions or need assistance.

Students must meet the following admission requirements to be accepted into the Lamar State College Orange Dental Assisting Program:

1. Possess a high-school diploma or a GED certificate
2. Be a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age
3. Submit an online application
4. Complete Employment History Form
5. Obtain a clear background check from Viewpoint Screening

Once you have completed these steps, you will be notified of acceptance or rejections within four weeks. Once you have been accepted, you will receive a letter of acceptance via email that will allow you to register for your Dental Assisting courses. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the program director at (409) 882-3022 or Colleen.Baker@lsco.edu

Tuition/fee listed above are as printed in the Lamar State College Fall 2020 Class Schedule.  Future amounts may be different.

See Cost of Attendance.

Texas and Louisiana residents pay the same in state tuition.

At the completion of the Dental Assisting Program, the student will have been given the opportunity to:

1. Demonstrate appropriate knowledge and understanding of the dental care team’s role in the health-care industry, including quality improvement processes that may be used to monitor the dental health team’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities within a given health-care system.
2. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the certified dental assistant, including standards of ethics and jurisprudence governing dental practice;
3. Have a working knowledge of the pharmaceutical-medical terms, abbreviations, and symbols commonly used in the prescribing, dispensing, and charting of medications in the dental office;
4. Have a working knowledge of the skill required to systematically collect and document diagnostic data in the dental office;
5. Demonstrate knowledge and skill required to perform a various clinical supportive skills in the dental office;
6. Demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions relating to purchasing and inventory control of dental office supplies and equipment;
7. Demonstrate knowledge and skill required for management of business office procedures for the dental office;
8. Demonstrate the ability to use therapeutic communication in the dental office in both verbal and written form.
9. Have a working knowledge of biomedical sciences and the procedures and techniques related to blood borne pathogens and hazard communications standards;
10. Demonstrate knowledge of radiation safety measures and the production of diagnostic radiographs; and,
11. Demonstrate an understanding of materials used in intra-oral and laboratory procedures.

Lamar State College Orange
FICE Code: 023582
www.lub002@lamar.edu
Dental Assistant Program
Level I Certificate in Dental Assisting
CIP Code: 51.0601

1st Year Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

DNTA 1401 - Dental Materials     4-3-2
Introduction to the theory and structure, properties, and procedures related to dental materials.  Laboratory safety and universal infection control precautions will be employed. Recommended co-requisites: DNTA 1305-Dental Radiology, DNTA 1311- Dental Science, DNTA 1315 - Chairside Assisting, and SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication.

DNTA 1305 - Dental Radiology     3-2-2
Introduction to radiation physics, protection, the operations of radiographic equipment, exposure, processing and mounting of dental radiographs.  Recommended co-requisites: DNTA 1401- Dental Materials, DNTA 1311 - Dental Science, DNTA 1315 - Chairside Assisting, and SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication

DNTA 1311 - Dental Science     3-2-2
An introduction to anatomical systems with emphasis placed on head and neck anatomy.  The supporting oral structures, embryology of the teeth, and tooth nomenclature are covered.  Topics include the physiology and morphology of the deciduous and the permanent teeth along with basic dental terminology.  Recommended co-requisites: DNTA 1401 - Dental Materials, DNTA 1305 - Dental Radiology, DNTA 1315 - Chairside Assisting, and SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication.

DNTA 1315 - Chairside Assisting     3-2-3
An introduction to chairside assisting procedures, instrumentation, infection control, equipment safety and maintenance.  Recommended co-requisites: DNTA 1401 - Dental Materials, DNTA 1305 - Dental Radiology, DNTA 1311 - Dental Science, and SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication.

DNTA 1241 - Dental Laboratory Procedures     2-1-2
The study of dental laboratory procedures including skills associated with chairside assisting; pouring, trimming, and polishing study casts; preliminary impressions; and fabricating provisional restorations. Required Pre-requisites:   DNTA 1401 - Dental Materials, DNTA 1305 - Dental Radiology, DNTA 1311 - Dental Science, DNTA 1315 - Chairside Assisting, and SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication.  Recommended co-requisites: DNTA 1245 - Preventive Dentistry, DNTA 1249 - Dental Radiology Techniques, DNTA 1251 - Dental Office Management, DNTA 1353 - Dental Assisting Applications, and DNTA 1660 - Clinical I -Dental Assistant.

DNTA 1245 - Preventive Dentistry     2-1-2
The study and prevention of dental diseases, community dental health research and projects, fluoridation, nutrition, and nutrition counseling, visual aids, and oral hygiene instruction for dental patients.  Required Pre-requisites:   DNTA 1401 - Dental Materials, DNTA 1305 - Dental Radiology, DNTA 1311 - Dental Science, DNTA 1315 - Chairside Assisting, and SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication.  Recommended co-requisites: DNTA 1241 - Dental Laboratory Procedures,  DNTA 1249 - Dental Radiology Techniques, DNTA 1251 - Dental Office Management, DNTA 1353 - Dental Assisting Applications, and DNTA 1660 - Clinical I -Dental Assistant.

DNTA 1249 - Dental Radiology Techniques     2-1-2
The practical application of exposing, processing and mounting of dental radiographs obtained by utilizing various radiographic techniques.  This course will encompass critical evaluation of all procedures.  Required Pre-requisites:   DNTA 1401 - Dental Materials, DNTA 1305 - Dental Radiology, DNTA 1311 - Dental Science, DNTA 1315 - Chairside Assisting, and SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication.  Recommended co-requisites: DNTA 1241 - Dental Laboratory Procedures,  DNTA 1245 - Preventive Dentistry, DNTA 1251 - Dental Office Management, DNTA 1353 - Dental Assisting Applications, and DNTA 1660 - Clinical I -Dental Assistant.

DNTA 1251 - Dental Office Management     2-1-2
An introduction to businessoffice procedures, including telephone management, appointment  control, receipt of payment for dental services, completion of third-party reimbursement forms, supply inventory maintenance, data entry for charges and payments, managing recall systems, and operating basic business equipment including the computer.    Required Pre-requisites:   DNTA 1401 - Dental Materials, DNTA 1305 - Dental Radiology, DNTA 1311 - Dental Science, DNTA 1315 - Chairside Assisting, and SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication.  Recommended co-requisites: DNTA 1241 - Dental Laboratory Procedures,  DNTA 1245 - Preventive Dentistry, DNTA 1249 - Dental Radiology Techniques,  DNTA 1353 - Dental Assisting Applications, and DNTA 1660 - Clinical I -Dental Assistant.

DNTA 1353 - Dental Assisting Applications     3-2-2
The procedures and applications for the specialties of dentistry.  Required Pre-requisites:   DNTA 1401 - Dental Materials, DNTA 1305 - Dental Radiology, DNTA 1311 - Dental Science, DNTA 1315 - Chairside Assisting, and SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication.  Recommended co-requisites: DNTA 1241 - Dental Laboratory Procedures,  DNTA 1245 - Preventive Dentistry, DNTA 1249 - Dental Radiology Techniques,  DNTA 1251 - Dental Office Management, and DNTA 1660 - Clinical I -Dental Assistant.

DNTA 1660 - Clinical I - Dental Assistant     5-0-18
A method of instruction providing detailed education, training, and workplace experience and direct patient/client care, generally at a clinical site.  Specific detailed learning objectives are developed for each course by the faculty.  On-site clinical instruction, supervision, evaluation, and placement are the responsibility of the college faculty.  Clinical experiences are unpaid external learning experiences.    Required Pre-requisites:   DNTA 1401 - Dental Materials, DNTA 1305 - Dental Radiology, DNTA 1311 - Dental Science, DNTA 1315 - Chairside Assisting, and SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication.  Recommended co-requisites: DNTA 1241 - Dental Laboratory Procedures,  DNTA 1245 - Preventive Dentistry, DNTA 1249 - Dental Radiology Techniques,  DNTA 1251 - Dental Office Management, and DNTA 1353 - Dental Assisting Applications.

DNTA 2461 - Clinical II - Dental Assistant     4-0-12
A method of instruction providing detailed education, training, and workplace experience and direct patient/client care, generally at a clinical site.  Specific detailed learning objectives are developed for each course by the faculty.  On-site clinical instruction, supervision, evaluation, and placement are the responsibility of the college faculty.  Clinical experiences are unpaid external learning experiences.    Required Pre-requisites:   DNTA 1401 - Dental Materials, DNTA 1305 - Dental Radiology, DNTA 1311 - Dental Science, DNTA 1315 - Chairside Assisting, and SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication, DNTA 1241 - Dental Laboratory Procedures,  DNTA 1245 - Preventive Dentistry, DNTA 1249 - Dental Radiology Techniques,  DNTA 1251 - Dental Office Management, DNTA 1353 - Dental Assisting Applications, DNTA 1660 - Clinical I - Dental Assistant, and ENGL 1301 - Composition I.

1. HIV Status Policy
2. Blood-Borne Pathogen Policy
3. Infectious Disease Policy
4. All students admitted into the Dental Assisting Program are required to show proof of the following before entering DNTA 1660;
   1. Current CPR card
   2. Immunization Information
   3. Hepatitis B vaccination

Student Policy Regarding HIV Status

Effective September 1, 1991, the State of Texas House Bill HB7 imposed on all Texas health care professionals various requirements designed to prevent the transmission of HIV from health care workers to their clients.  Under this law, care workers include “individuals in the course of training or educational program in the health professions.” Thus, the law applies to all the dental assisting students at Lamar State College Orange during the time they are involved in patient care.

It is each LSCO student’s responsibility to understand the legal and professional/ethical ramifications of the law and to comply with the law’s requirements.  In general, the law requires that all health care workers adhere to UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS and that individuals with educative lesions (draining sores) or weeping dermatitis (reddened areas that leak clear fluid) refrain from patient care and the handling of patient equipment and devices used in invasive procedures until the condition resolves.  To ensure that all students are familiar with UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS, course content on this subject will be included in the program.

If a student is unsure of his/her HIV status, anonymous testing is available through the following agency:

Orange County Health Department 2014 N. 10th Street Orange, TX By appointment- Minimal fee

If a student is HIV positive, he/she must advise the director of the dental assisting program.

Blood Borne Pathogen Policy

In the event a student is exposed to a blood borne pathogen (specific eye, mouth, or other mucus membrane, non intact skin, or contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials) he/she must immediately notify the dentist and the clinical instructor. *Failure to notify both will result in termination from the program. *

Students are responsible for any costs of treatment.

The instructor will visit the site as soon as possible (that day) and an incident report will be completed.

Students should follow protocol at the dentist office for treatment.

Students who refuse to have any treatment measure performed MUST sign a refusal of medical evaluation form.

Students who have three or more incidents of blood borne pathogen exposure may be dropped from the program.

Infection Control Policy

STUDENTS AT ALL TIMES WILL PRACTICE STANDARD BLOOD AND BODY SECRETION PRECAUTIONS:

1. STUDENTS WILL WASH THEIR HANDS PRIOR TO PROVIDING CARE TO ANY PATIENT.
2. STUDENTS WILL WEAR GLOVES WHEN HANDLONG ANY BODY SECRETION.
3. STUDENTS WILL REMOVE THEIR GLOVES AND WASH THEIR HANDS PRIOR TO PERFORMING ANY OTHER DUTIES.

SCRUPULOUS HAND WASHING IS THE BEST DEFENSE AGAINST ALL TYPES OF INFECTION.

STUDENTS SHOULD REVIEW THE POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR INFECTION CONTROL IN EACH CLINICAL FACILITY PRIOR TO PROVIDING CARE TO CLIENTS IN THAT FACILITY.

1. Wear gloves – at all times during patient care.
2. Wear gloves, gown, mask and goggles – when the possibility of being splashed occurs:  i.e. high-speed aerosol.
3. Dispose of needles and sharps properly – recap using scoop method or recapping device only.  Place needles in sharps containers.
4. Resuscitation – use mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, or ventilator devices.  Students are not encouraged to perform mouth-to-mouth breathing without protective mouthpieces.
5. Wash hands – before and after contact with each patient, and after contamination.
6. Wash hands before applying gloves and after removal of gloves.
7. Clean spills – any blood or body fluid spills should be cleaned promptly, using gloves and a disinfectant solution provided by the health care agency.
8. Mercury spills – use mercury spill kit.
9. Students must follow institutional guidelines for affiliated clinical agencies.
10. In the event that a student is exposed to any blood or body fluid, notify the instructor/clinical instructor immediately.