Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Dental Foundations

 Title Abbreviation:   DENTAL FOUNDATIONS

 Department:    DEN

 Course #:    110

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    6

 CIP:    510601

 EPC:    305

 REV:    2021


 Course Description  

Provides the foundation necessary to enter into the program�s dental clinic. Learn the knowledge and skills required to maintain a safe dental environment. Includes federal and state regulations regarding chemical use and infection control in the dental office. Introduction to basic concepts of radiology. Learn how to evaluate need for X-rays including: exposing, processing and mounting intraoral radiographs utilizing the bitewing technique.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: DEN 100 and DEN 105 with a "C" or higher or concurrent enrollment.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 33

Lab: 44

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for certificate  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
N/A

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Know and apply local, state and federal compliance requirements.
  2. Develop an understanding of Federal and State Regulations regarding hazardous materials and demonstrate their application in a dental office.
  3. Know and follow OSHA/WISHA standards. Given a list of OSHA/WISHA terminology, define the terms and explain how they apply to the dental environment.
  4. Know and describe the universal precautions used for every patient to prevent disease transmission.
  5. Clean, disinfect, and prepare patient treatment and lab areas.
  6. Demonstrate legal and safe infection control procedures during sterilization and disinfection so as to prevent disease transmission and eliminate cross-contamination in the dental environment.
  7. Select and use the appropriate personal protective equipment.
  8. Given PPE and typical clinical setting, demonstrate the understanding of standard operating procedures and the application in the dental office.
  9. Clean, disinfect, sterilize & store instruments/equipment.
  10. Perform asepsis & sterilization procedures in compliance with OSHA/WISHA guidelines.
  11. Given a typical darkroom, maintain darkroom processing equipment according to identified procedures.
  12. Given an X-ray machine, film, and film holders, identify all components and parts.
  13. Given an operatory and an X-ray manikin, complete four sets of horizontal bitewings and two sets of vertical bitewings.
  14. Given an operatory, proper PPE, and a peer patient, demonstrate the ability to prepare and educate the patient, while placing an X-ray film comfortably and safely.
  15. Demonstrate professional demeanor, positive attitude, and appropriate communication skills in all clinic activities including interpersonal relationships with peers, staff, instructors and clinic patients.
  16. Pursue additional learning experiences and accept constructive feedback positively.
  17. Demonstrate compliance with all dental clinic, program, and state policies and procedures as they relate to conduct, attendance, preparation, patient safety, dress and communication skills.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

Course Contents

  1. Local, state and federal compliance requirements.
  2. Federal and State Regulations regarding hazardous materials.
  3. OSHA/WISHA standards and terminology.
  4. Universal precautions used for every patient to prevent disease transmission.
  5. Legal and safe infection control procedures during sterilization and disinfection.
  6. Appropriate personal protective equipment.
  7. Instruments/equipment and asepsis & sterilization procedures in compliance with OSHA/WISHA guidelines.
  8. Darkroom processing equipment.
  9. X-ray machine, film, and film holders.
  10. Operatory and an x-ray manikin.
  11. Proper PPE, and a peer patient.
  12. Professional demeanor, positive attitude, and appropriate communication skills.
  13. Constructive feedback.
  14. Dental clinic, program, and state policies and procedures.