Class Schedule

• Description: This course is an introduction to the Foothill College Dental Assisting Program for the incoming student. In this course, the student will explore all aspects of dental practice, including dental specialties, historical context, professional and legal responsibilities, and the crucial role of the dental auxiliary. This course focuses on ensuring that students respect patient privacy, uphold the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and adhere to the Foothill College Academic Honor Code. Student rights and responsibilities, student-centered strategies for success, and time management skills are emphasized. This course also covers record keeping, effective patient-centered communication, and positive interpersonal relations in preparation for working in clinical settings. Intended for students in the Dental Assisting Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory:
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 1 hours lecture per week. 12 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Introduction to chairside assisting; use and care of dental equipment, patient management, instrument identification; overview of common dental procedures, such as composite, amalgam, partials, dentures, root canals, crown and bridge appointments; manipulation of dental materials commonly prepared or used by the dental assistant, including temporary dressings, impression materials, cement bases and liners, topical agents, composites, resins and amalgams. Intended for students in the Dental Assisting Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory:
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 6.5 hours lecture per week, 13 hours lab per week. 234 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: This course provides the basic knowledge and practical skills in dental radiology. Students will learn how to expose, critique, and evaluate dental radiographs taken on a mannequin. The lecture focuses on key areas such as radiation physics, biological effects of radiation, and professional responsibility. Strong emphasis is on radiation safety protocols. In the laboratory, students will gain hands-on experience and demonstrate proficiency in taking intraoral dental images while adhering to ALARA safety standards. Intended for students in the Dental Assisting Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory:
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 2 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 60 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: This course introduces dental assisting students to their roles and responsibilities in general, as well as in specialty practice settings. Students will learn the scope of practice for unlicensed dental assistants, Registered Dental Assistants, and Registered Dental Assistants in extended functions with a focus on delivering ethical, patient-centered care. Intended for students in the Dental Assisting Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory:
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 1 hours lecture per week. 12 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: This is the first course in a three-part series on dental science. This course provides a comprehensive overview of dental and craniofacial anatomy critical for dental assisting practice. Students will explore the anatomy and morphology of teeth, including the stages and sequence of tooth eruption, classifications of occlusion, and the development of various malocclusions. The course also covers the anatomy of the skull, with an emphasis on the head and neck's vascular, muscular, and nervous structures. By the end of the course, students will be able to identify and describe these anatomical structures, relate their functions to dental care, and apply this foundational knowledge in clinical settings. Intended for students in the Dental Assisting Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory:
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 2 hours lecture per week, 1 hours lab per week. 36 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Introduction to infectious diseases important to dentistry. Lecture, lab, and clinical instruction on disinfection, instrument decontamination, sterilization procedures, and tray set-up preparation. Regulatory compliance agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Dental Board of California, as well as advisory bodies, such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Dental Association (ADA), will be covered. Hazardous materials and waste management practices according to regulatory statutes and guidelines and the protocols and emergency procedures for hazardous and biohazardous waste or materials. Intended for students in the Dental Assisting Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory:
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 1.5 hours lecture per week, 1 hours lab per week. 30 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note: