Dental

Dental Assisting

DAT 113 Dental Materials (3-3-4)

Offered Fall Semester

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Dental Assisting program

Co-requisites: DAT 115, DAT 116, DAT 118, DAT 154

This course is a study of physical and chemical properties of matter and identification, characteristics, and manipulation of dental materials.

DAT 115 Ethics & Professionalism (1-0-1)

Offered Fall Semester

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Dental Assisting program

Co-requisites: DAT 113, DAT 116, DAT 118, DAT 154

This course introduces a cursory history of dental assisting, professional associations, scope of service in dentistry and ethical, legal and professional considerations. The State Dental Practice Act is reviewed. (This course is only offered online.)

DAT 116 Fundamentals of Dental Medicine (3-0-3)

Offered Fall Semester

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Dental Assisting program

Co-requisites: DAT 113, DAT 115, DAT 118, DAT 154 (required)

This course is a study of dental office emergencies, microbiology, pharmacology and oral pathology as related to the role of the dental assistant.

DAT 118 Dental Morphology (1-3-2)

Offered Fall Semester

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Dental Assisting program

Co-requisites: DAT 113, DAT 115, DAT 116, DAT 154 (required)

This course emphasizes the development, eruption and individual characteristics of each tooth and surrounding structures.

DAT 121 Dental Health Education (1-3-2)

Offered Spring Semester

Prerequisites: DAT 113, DAT 115, DAT 116, DAT 118, DAT 154

Co-requisites: DAT 127, DAT 160, DAT 175 (required)

This course defines the responsibilities of the dental assistant in individual and community dental health education with emphasis on the etiology of dental disease, methods for prevention and principles of nutrition in relation to oral health and preventive dentistry.

DAT 122 Dental Office Management (1-3-2)

Offered Summer Semester

Prerequisites: DAT 121, DAT 127, DAT 160, DAT 175

Co-requisite: DAT 177 (required)

This course provides a study of the business aspect of a dental office and dental computer software.

DAT 127 Dental Radiology (3-3-4)

Offered Spring Semester

Prerequisites: DAT 113, DAT 115, DAT 116, DAT 118, DAT 154

Co-requisites: DAT 121, DAT 160, DAT 175 (required)

This course provides the fundamental background and theory for the safe and effective use of x-radiation in dentistry. It encompasses the history of x-rays, production and uses of radiation, radiographic film, exposure factors, interpretation of radiographs and radiation hygiene.

DAT 154 Clinical Procedures I (2-6-4)

Offered Fall Semester

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Dental Assisting program (Infection Control Online component must be completed prior to course start date.)

Co-requisites: DAT 113, DAT 115, DAT 116, DAT 118 (required)

This course includes preparation to assist a dentist efficiently in four-handed dentistry. Emphasis is on the names and functions of all dental instruments, the principles involved in their use and the assistant’s role in dental instrumentation.

DAT 160 Expanded Duties/Specialties (1-3-2)

Offered Spring Semester

Prerequisites: DAT 113, DAT 115, DAT 116, DAT 118, DAT 154

Co-requisites: DAT 121, DAT 127, DAT 175 (required)

This course provides practical experience in performing the expanded duties designated by the SC State Board of Dentistry for Expanded Duty Dental Assistants. In addition, the course covers an overview of dental specialties.

DAT 175 Introduction to Clinical Experience (1-12-5)

Offered Spring Semester

Prerequisites: DAT 113, DAT 115, DAT 116, DAT 118, DAT 154

Co-requisites: DAT 121, DAT 127, DAT 160 (required)

This course is an introduction to chairside assisting with emphasis on general practice and exposure to several dental specialties. Students will be assigned to a variety of dental practice settings and will record experiences in an online journal for faculty review. Seminars will be held to allow sharing of experiences.

DAT 177 Dental Office Experience (2-15-7)

Offered Summer Semester

Prerequisites: DAT 121, DAT 127, DAT 160, DAT 175

Co-requisite: DAT 122 (required)

This course consists of practice in the dental office or clinic with rotation of assignments to encompass experiences in office management and clinical experience in all areas of dentistry.

Dental Hygiene

DHG 115 Medical & Dental Emergencies (2-0-2)

Offered Fall Semester

Prerequisite: Completion of Phase I courses and admittance to the Dental Hygiene program

Co-requisites: AHS 113, DHG 121, DHG 125, DHG 161 (required)

This course provides a study of the various medical/dental emergencies and appropriate treatment measures. Additionally, it includes managing medically compromised dental patients and provides for CPR certification. CPR certification is obtained prior to entering the dental hygiene program.

DHG 121 Dental Radiography (2-3-3)

Offered Fall Semester

Prerequisite: Completion of Phase I courses and admittance to the Dental Hygiene program

Co-requisites: AHS 113, DHG 115, DHG 125, DHG 161 (required)

This course provides the application of the principles of radiology with emphasis on exposing, processing, mounting, evaluating and interpreting dental radiographs. Radiation safety is stressed.

DHG 122 Office Management for the Dental Hygienist (2-0-2)

Offered Spring Semester

Prerequisites: AHS 113, DHG 115, DHG 121, DHG 125, DHG 161

Co-requisites: DHG 141, DHG 143, DHG 165, DHG 244 (required)

This course provides a study of the business aspect of a dental office and dental office software for the dental hygienist.

DHG 125 Tooth Morphology & Histology (2-0-2)

Offered Fall Semester

Completion of Phase I courses and admittance to the Dental Hygiene program

Co-requisites: AHS 113, DHG 115, DHG 121, DHG 161 (required)

This course covers the embryogenesis and histology of the head and neck structures with primary emphasis on the oral cavity. The formation, eruption patterns and morphology of primary and permanent dentitions are studied.

DHG 140 General & Oral Pathology (2-0-2)

Offered Summer Semester

Prerequisites: DHG 122, DHG 141, DHG 143, DHG 165, DHG 244

Co-requisites: DHG 175, DHG 241

This course provides a correlation of basic pathologic principles to disease processes in the oral cavity. The role of the dental hygienist in early disease detection is emphasized. Diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of diseases affecting the head and neck are discussed.

DHG 141 Periodontology (2-0-2)

Offered Spring Semester

Prerequisites: AHS 113, DHG 115, DHG 125, DHG 121, DHG 161

Co-requisites: DHG 122, DHG 143, DHG 165, DHG 244 (required)

This course presents a study of the principles, etiologies, classifications and treatments of periodontal disease with emphasis on the role of the dental hygienist.

DHG 143 Dental Pharmacology (2-0-2)

Offered Spring Semester

Prerequisites: AHS 113, DHG 115, DHG 121, DHG 125, DHG 161

Co-requisites: DHG 122, DHG 141, DHG 165, DHG 244 (required)

This course provides a study of drugs used in dentistry. Emphasis is placed on the physical and chemical properties of the drugs, dosages and therapeutic effects, methods of administration and indications/contraindications for the use of the drug. A study of dental anesthetics is included.

DHG 161 Clinical DHG I Foundations (2-7-4)

Offered Fall Semester

Prerequisites: Completion of Phase I courses and admittance to the Dental Hygiene program

Co-requisites: AHS 113, DHG 115, DHG 121, DHG 125 (required)

This course completes the basic instrumentation instruction; introduces polishing and anticaries therapies; presents periodontal health assessment and introduces the clinical setting for application of dental hygiene skills for patient care.

DHG 165 Clinical Dental Hygiene I (2-9-5)

Offered Spring Semester

Prerequisites: AHS 113, DHG 115, DHG 121, DHG 125, DHG 161

Co-requisites: DHG 122, DHG 141, DHG 143, DHG 244 (required)

This is an introduction course to the clinical setting for application of dental hygiene skills for patient care.

DHG 175 Clinical Dental Hygiene II (2-9-5)

Offered Summer Semester

Prerequisites: DHG 122, DHG 141, DHG 143, DHG 165, DHG 244

Co-requisites: DHG 140, DHG 241 (required)

This course provides for the continued development of the skills necessary to perform dental hygiene care. Emphasis is placed on total patient care and treatment planning.

DHG 232 Community Oral Health Outreach (1-3-2)

Offered Fall Semester

Prerequisites: DHG 141, DHG 175, DHG 241

Co-requisite: DHG 255 (required)

This course provides a study of literature reviews, analysis of oral health needs, epidemiology and prevention of oral diseases including assessment of community needs, project planning, implementation and evaluation. Emphasis will be placed on setting-up on-going community-based projects/programs to facilitate a “serving to learn” philosophy and enhancing access to oral health care for diverse populations.

DHG 241 Integrated Dental Hygiene I (0-3-1)

Offered Summer Semester

Prerequisites: DHG 122, DHG 141, DHG 143, DHG 165, DHG 244

Co-requisites: DHG 140, DHG 175 (required)

This course provides for the integration of the basic and dental hygiene sciences with current concepts of clinical dental hygiene practice.

DHG 242 Integrated Dental Hygiene II (0-3-1)

Offered Spring Semester

Prerequisites: DHG 232, DHG 255

Co-requisite: DHG 265 (required)

This course provides for the integration of the basic and dental sciences with current dental hygiene concepts. Emphasis is placed on ethical/legal aspects of dental hygiene practice and practice management techniques.

DHG 244 Dental Materials (2-3-3)

Offered Fall Semester for Dental Assisting students and Spring Semester for Dental Hygiene students

Prerequisites: For Dental Assisting: Acceptance into Dental Assisting program. For Dental Hygiene: AHS 113, DHG 115, DHG 121, DHG 125, DHG 161

Co-requisites: For Dental Assisting: DAT 115, DAT 116, DAT 118, DAT 154 (required); for Dental Hygiene: DHG 122, DHG 141, DHG 143, DHG 165 (required)

This course is a study of the physical and chemical properties, identification, characteristics and manipulation of dental materials.

DHG 255 Clinical Dental Hygiene III (1-12-5)

Offered Fall Semester

Prerequisites: DHG 141, DHG 175, DHG 241

Co-requisites: DHG 232 (required)

This course provides for the development of proficiency in the clinical dental hygiene setting with emphasis on the implementation of treatment plans to meet the individual patient’s oral health needs.

DHG 265 Clinical Dental Hygiene IV (1-12-5)

Offered Spring Semester

Prerequisites: DHG 232, DHG 255

Co-requisite: DHG 242 (required)

This course permits refinement of clinical techniques and skills, technology and current procedural practices of the dental hygienist with emphasis on self-evaluation and quality assurance.