Dental Assisting (DEA)

For more detailed course information, including contact hours and learning outcomes, review the relevant Master Course Syllabus.

College readiness test scores may be used to meet some prerequisite requirements. Learn more about college readiness, or talk to your advisor to see if test scores can apply.

If you took classes within the Colorado Community College System before Summer 2022, your transcript may list 3-digit course numbers instead of the current 4-digit format. To find the equivalent updated course numbers, refer to the Course Crosswalk.

DEA 1011 Introduction to Dental Practices 1 Credit

Includes roles and responsibilities of the dental health team; educational background for the various specialties including general practitioner, hygienist, dental assistant; history, legal implications, ethical responsibilities and the role of professional organizations.

DEA 1012 Dental Science I 3 Credits

Includes fundamentals of the oral structures as they apply oral histology, embryology, morphology, pathology, dental anatomy, and dental charting.

DEA 1013 Dental Science II 3 Credits

This course examines the anatomy and function of the head and neck with emphasis on the muscles of mastication and facial expression, bones of the head and neck, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), lymphatics, glandular system, vascular supply, nervous system, and the oral cavity.

DEA 1015 Infection Control 3 Credits

Assesses basic information concerning infection and disease transmission and hazardous chemical management in the dental office. This course emphasizes knowledge of microorganisms, aseptic techniques, sterilization, patient and dental healthcare worker safety, and hazard communication management.

DEA 1016 Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office 2 Credits

Emphasizes recognition, prevention, and management of medical emergency situations in the dental office. This course also includes techniques for taking and reading vital signs, completing and updating patient health history, and addresses pharmacology.

Prerequisite(s): ACT English with a score of 18 or SAT EVIDENCE-BASED READ/WRIT with a score of 470 or Exempt English with a score of 0090 or Exempt College Comp & Read-CCR with a score of 0090 or Accup Next Gen Writing with a score of 246 or ENG 090 with a minimum grade of S/C or ENG 0090 with a minimum grade of P/C or CCR 092 with a minimum grade of S/C or ENG 0092 with a minimum grade of P/C or CCR 093 with a minimum grade of S/C or ENG 0093 with a minimum grade of P/C or CCR 094 with a minimum grade of S/C or ENG 0094 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of P/C or College Readiness Writing with a score of 100 or Prior College English with a score of 1021 or College Placement English with a score of 1021 or GED Language Arts with a score of 165 or ENG 121 with a minimum grade of C or ENG 1021 with a minimum grade of C or ENG 131 with a minimum grade of C or ENG 1031 with a minimum grade of C or ENG 122 with a minimum grade of C or ENG 1022 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C or (LOEP Language Usage with a score of 119 and LOEP Reading Skills with a score of 119 and LOEP ESL WritePlacer with a score of 6) or ((ESL 043 with a minimum grade of C or ESL 0043 with a minimum grade of C) and (ESL 053 with a minimum grade of C or ESL 0053 with a minimum grade of C)) or ESL 0073 with a minimum grade of C

DEA 1021 Principles of Clinical Practice 3 Credits

Focuses on fundamental procedures and techniques used in the delivery of restorative dentistry. This course emphasizes infection control, restorative instrumentation, delivery of care, treatment room and patient management, operator, assistant and patient positioning and principles of anesthesia and pain control.

DEA 1022 Specialties in Dentistry 2 Credits

Focuses on dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) to include select procedures, instrumentation, and the dental assistant’s role in each.

DEA 1023 Dental Materials I 3 Credits

Includes fundamentals of dental materials as they apply to clinical and laboratory applications of cements, bases, liners, dental metals, resins, glass ionomers, ceramics and dental abrasives.

DEA 1024 Dental Radiography 3 Credits

Focuses on the science of radiography, the application of radiographic techniques, and aseptic techniques.

Prerequisite(s): (DEA 1011 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 120 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1012 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 121 with a minimum grade of C)

DEA 1031 Prevention and Nutrition in Dentistry 3 Credits

Emphasizes techniques in preventive dentistry to include application of fluoride, pit and fissure sealants, oral home care instruction, diet counseling and nutrition as it applies to dental health. Covers techniques for coronal polishing, extra-oral and intra-oral examination, and dental charting.

DEA 1033 Dental Materials II 3 Credits

Includes fundamentals of dental materials as they apply to clinical and laboratory applications of hydrocolloid and elastomeric impressions materials, gypsum products, dental waxes, study and final working models, and fabrication of provisional crowns, custom impression trays and bleaching trays.

DEA 1034 Advanced Dental Radiography 3 Credits

Includes theory and techniques of exposing intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs on adults, children, edentulous, and special needs patients. Covers dental anatomy radiographic interpretation and aseptic techniques. Enables the student to expose radiographs on the x-ray mannequin and patients. Students must be a minimum of eighteen years of age.

Prerequisite(s): (DEA 1015 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 126 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1016 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 132 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1021 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 102 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1023 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 123 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1024 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 125 with a minimum grade of C)

DEA 1035 Dental Office Management 2 Credits

Addresses office communication, office management procedures, administrative processes, appointment scheduling, records maintenance, dental insurance, financial account management, recall systems, and inventory control.

DEA 1040 Dental Assisting National Board Review (Elective) 1 Credit

Focuses on a review for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Examination.

Prerequisite(s): (DEA 1011 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 120 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1012 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 121 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1013 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 122 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1015 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 126 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1016 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 132 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1021 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 102 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1022 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 104 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1023 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 123 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1024 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 125 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1031 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 134 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1033 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 124 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1034 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 131 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1035 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 111 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1081 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 181 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1082 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 182 with a minimum grade of C)

DEA 1081 Dental Clinical Internship I 0-12 Credits

To be determined by the individual instructor. A Course Description will be developed for each course and documented within the course syllabus. Refer to the SFCC Style Guide for Course Description, Required Course Learning Outcome, and Topical Outline guidelines.

DEA 1082 Dental Clinical Internship II 0-12 Credits

DEA 2011 Introduction to Expanded Functions 4 Credits

Emphasizes techniques and concepts of expanded functions in dental assisting, including team management, placement and finishing of dental restorative materials, and adjunct procedures necessary to restorative dentistry.

Prerequisite(s): (DEA 1011 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 120 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1012 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 121 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1013 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 122 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1015 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 126 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1016 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 132 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1021 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 102 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1022 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 104 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1023 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 123 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1024 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 125 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1031 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 134 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1033 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 124 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1034 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 131 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1035 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 111 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1040 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 140 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1081 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 181 with a minimum grade of C) and (DEA 1082 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 182 with a minimum grade of C)

DEA 2021 Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary 4 Credits

Focuses on clinical application of expanded functions in dental assisting.

Prerequisite(s): DEA 2011 with a minimum grade of C or DEA 200 with a minimum grade of C