Dental Assisting Course Catalog

Use this course outline to follow your Dental Assisting education from classroom instruction to hands-on clinical experience. See how each semester prepares you for a career as a dental assistant.

Attending college is more than just collecting credits — there's a carefully designed path that builds your knowledge, skills, and expertise step by step. On this page, you'll find a complete, semester-by-semester breakdown of all the courses required to graduate.

Dental Assisting Info

Dental Assisting     (2026-2027)

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree
20 Months (4 Semesters, 1 Summer Session)Credits Required for Graduation: 70.5

Optional exit point for Diploma Option: After First Year – Summer Session
11 Months (2 Semesters, 1 Summer Session) Credits Required for Diploma: 44.5

An exit point is intended for those students who do not pursue the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree. These students will receive a Certified Dental Assistant Diploma.


First Year – Fall Semester

Course Code Course Title Clock Hours Credits
DA 105 Preclinical Science 56 2
DA 110 Dental And Oral Anatomy 45 3
DA 115 Medical Terminology For Dental Professionals 15 1
DA 120 Oral Health 84 3
DA 126 Introduction To Patient Care 56 2
DA 135 Dental Materials 84 3
DA 138 Clinical Skills 112 4
CPR 112 Basic Life Support (BLS) For Healthcare Workers 8 0.5
PSYC 101 General Psychology* (Required for A.A.S. Degree in Dental Hygiene) 45 3
  Total 505 21.5


First Year – Spring Semester

Course Code Course Title Clock Hours Credits
DA 141 Pharmacology And Medical Emergencies 56 2
DA 148 Advanced Clinical Skills 112 4
DA 156 Developing Professional Skills 104 2
DA 165 Dental Radiography I 72 2.5
DA 167 Dental Radiography II 56 2
DA 176 Dental Office Administration 42 1.5
DA 190 Orthodontics 56 2
●● COMM 101 Communications and Career Strategies 45 3
  Total 543 19


First Year – Summer Session

Course Code Course Title Clock Hours Credits
DA 210 Clinical Practice 240 4
  Total 240 4


Second Year – Fall Semester (General Education Courses. Some courses may be completed prior to enrollment.)

Course Code Course Title Clock Hours Credits
BIOL 221 Human Anatomy * 90 4
ENGL 101 Composition * 45 3
● Selected Mathematics Course (choose one)
MATH 103 - Mathematical Reasoning
MATH 114 - College Algebra*
453
(choose one)
CSC 102
CHEM 106
CHEM 106L
Windows Applications for Technicians
Inorganic Chemistry Lecture * (Required for A.A.S. Degree in Dental Hygiene)
Inorganic Chemistry Lab * (Required for A.A.S. Degree in Dental Hygiene)

45
3
  Total 225 13


Second Year – Spring Semester (General Education Courses. Some courses may be completed prior to enrollment.)

Course Code Course Title Clock Hours Credits
CMST 101 Foundations of Communication* 45 3
PHGY 210 Human Physiology * 60 4
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology * 45 3
(choose one)
ECON 105
ECON 201
MICRO 231
PSYC 251
Leadership in the Global Workplace
Principles of Microeconomics*
General Microbiology * (Required for A.A.S. Degree in Dental Hygiene)
Abnormal Psychology

45
3
  Total 195 13


• Students will select a course in the area listed to meet general education requirements. Courses marked with an asterisk (*) can be transferred directly to the university system.

•• Students who have previously taken ENGL 101 – Composition do not have to take COMM 101 but will need to register for CMST 101 – Foundations of Communication and CSS 100 – Career Search Strategies. Career Search Strategies is required for all Lake Area Tech graduates and is separate from the university system.

Students who have previously taken CMST 101 – Foundations of Communication do not have to take COMM 101 but will need to register for ENGL 101 – Composition and CSS 100 – Career Search Strategies. Career Search Strategies is required for all Lake Area Tech graduates and is separate from the university system.

Students who have previously taken CMST 101 and ENGL 101 will only have to register for CSS 100 as this course is required for all Lake Area Tech graduates and is separate from the university system.

Dental Assisting: Part-time Hybrid E-Degree     (2026-2027)

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree
23 Months (5 Semesters, 1 Summer Session)Credits Required for Graduation: 70.5

Optional exit point for Diploma Option: After Second Year – Spring Semester
15 Months (3 Semesters, 1 Summer Session) Credits Required for Diploma: 44.5

An exit point is intended for those students who do not pursue the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree. These students will receive a Certified Dental Assistant Diploma.


First Year – Spring Semester

Course Code Course Title Clock Hours Credits
DA 105 Preclinical Science 56 2
DA 110 Dental And Oral Anatomy 45 3
DA 115 Medical Terminology For Dental Professionals 15 1
DA 126 Introduction To Patient Care 56 2
  Total 172 8


First Year – Summer Session

Course Code Course Title Clock Hours Credits
DA 176 Dental Office Administration 42 1.5
CPR 112 Basic Life Support (BLS) For Healthcare Workers 8 0.5
●● COMM 101 Communications and Career Strategies 45 3
PSYC 101 General Psychology* (Required for A.A.S. Degree in Dental Hygiene) 45 3
  Total 140 8


First Year – Fall Semester

Course Code Course Title Clock Hours Credits
DA 120 Oral Health 84 3
DA 135 Dental Materials 84 3
DA 138 Clinical Skills 112 4
DA 156 Developing Professional Skills 104 2
DA 165 Dental Radiography I 72 2.5
  Total 456 14.5


Second Year – Spring Semester

Course Code Course Title Clock Hours Credits
DA 141 Pharmacology And Medical Emergencies 56 2
DA 148 Advanced Clinical Skills 112 4
DA 167 Dental Radiography II 56 2
DA 190 Orthodontics 56 2
DA 210 Clinical Practice 240 4
  Total 520 14


Second Year – Fall Semester (General Education Courses. Some courses may be completed prior to enrollment.)

Course Code Course Title Clock Hours Credits
BIOL 221 Human Anatomy * 90 4
ENGL 101 Composition * 45 3
● Selected Mathematics Course (choose one)
MATH 103 - Mathematical Reasoning
MATH 114 - College Algebra*
453
(choose one)
CSC 102
CHEM 106
CHEM 106L
Windows Applications for Technicians
Inorganic Chemistry Lecture * (Required for A.A.S. Degree in Dental Hygiene)
Inorganic Chemistry Lab * (Required for A.A.S. Degree in Dental Hygiene)

45
3
  Total 225 13


Second Year – Spring Semester (General Education Courses. Some courses may be completed prior to enrollment.)

Course Code Course Title Clock Hours Credits
CMST 101 Foundations of Communication* 45 3
PHGY 210 Human Physiology * 60 4
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology * 45 3
(choose one)
ECON 105
ECON 201
MICRO 231
PSYC 251
Leadership in the Global Workplace
Principles of Microeconomics*
General Microbiology * (Required for A.A.S. Degree in Dental Hygiene)
Abnormal Psychology

45
3
  Total 195 13


• Students will select a course in the area listed to meet general education requirements. Courses marked with an asterisk (*) can be transferred directly to the university system.

•• Students who have previously taken ENGL 101 – Composition do not have to take COMM 101 but will need to register for CMST 101 – Foundations of Communication and CSS 100 – Career Search Strategies. Career Search Strategies is required for all Lake Area Tech graduates and is separate from the university system.

Students who have previously taken CMST 101 – Foundations of Communication do not have to take COMM 101 but will need to register for ENGL 101 – Composition and CSS 100 – Career Search Strategies. Career Search Strategies is required for all Lake Area Tech graduates and is separate from the university system.

Students who have previously taken CMST 101 and ENGL 101 will only have to register for CSS 100 as this course is required for all Lake Area Tech graduates and is separate from the university system.