Dental Assisting Curriculum Schedule

For all official curriculum schedules, see the college catalog.

Curriculum by semester

Course number and title Class Lab Clinical Credit
First semester (hours per week)        
DEN 100 Basic Orofacial Anatomy 2 0 0 2
DEN 101 Preclinical Procedures 4 6 0 7
DEN 102 Dental Materials 2 4 0 4
DEN 111 Infection/Hazard Control 2 0 0 2
BIO 106 Intro to Anatomy/ Physiology/Micro 2 2 0 3
ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry 3 0 0 3
Total: 15 12 0 21
Second semester (hours per week)        
DEN 103 Dental Sciences 2 0 0 2
DEN 104 Dental Health Education 2 2 0 3
DEN 105 Practice Management 2 0 0 2
DEN 106 Clinical Practice I 2 0 12 6
DEN 112 Dental Radiography 2 3 0 3
COM 120 Intro Interpersonal Communications 3 0 0 3
Total: 13 5 12 19
Summer term (hours per week)        
DEN 107 Clinical Practice II 1 0 12 5
PSY 118 Interpersonal Psychology 3 0 0 3
Total: 4 0 12 8

Total graduation requirement: 48 semester credit hours
The Dental Assisting curriculum prepares individuals to assist the dentist in the delivery of dental treatment and to function as integral members of the dental team while performing chair-side and related office and laboratory procedures. Course work includes instruction in general studies, biomedical sciences, dental sciences, clinical sciences and clinical practice.

A combination of lecture, laboratory and clinical experiences provide students with knowledge in infection and hazard control, radiography, dental materials, preventive dentistry and clinical procedures. Graduates are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board Examination to become a Certified Dental Assistant. As outlined by the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners, graduates are classified as a DAII and can perform all delegable functions within the state of North Carolina.