Dental Assisting Program
AAS & Certificate Curriculum Plans
Two options are available to students accepted for enrollment in the dental assisting program:

An associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degree may be attained by completing 26 hours of general
education credit in natural and social sciences, English, mathematics, and humanities in addition to
successful completion of all DAT courses.

A dental assisting program certificate may be achieved by completing 13 hours of general education
credit in addition to successful completion of all DAT courses.
Students enrolled in the program begin 3 consecutive semesters of dental assisting courses in the fall which
include 360 hours of clinical practice. The curriculum plan and individual DAT courses follow the Alabama
Community College System Plans of Instruction for dental assisting which include student learning objectives and
professional competencies.
Dental Assisting Courses
Fall Semester
DAT 100:
DAT 101:
DAT 102:
DAT 103:
DAT 104:
Introduction to Dental Assisting
Preclinical Procedures I
Dental Materials
Dental Anatomy & Physiology
Basic Sciences for Dental Assisting
Term total
Spring Semester
DAT 111:
DAT 112:
DAT 113:
DAT 116:
Clinical Practice I
Dental Radiology
Dental Health Education
Preclinical Procedures II
Theory
2
2
2
3
2
Lab
1
1
-
Clinical
-
Credit
2
3
3
3
2
13
Theory
1
2
2
3
Lab
1
-
Clinical
4
-
Credit
5
3
2
3
13
Theory
3
4
Lab
1
-
Clinical
4
-
Credit
4
4
4
11
38
Term total
Summer Semester
DAT 114: Dental Office Administration
DAT 122: Clinical Practice II
DAT 123: Dental Assisting Seminar
Term total
Dental Assisting total=
Dental Assisting Certificate Plan
General Education Requirements
Course
Theory
Lab Clinical Credit
ORI 100: Orientation to College
1
1
PSY 200: General Psychology
3
3
Math Elective:
3
3
 MTH 100 Intermediate College Algebra
 MTH 112 Pre-calculus Algebra
 MTH 116 Mathematical Applications
SPH 107: Fundamentals of Public Speaking
3
3
ENG 101: English Composition I
3
3
Program total
13 hours general education
+ 38 hours dental assisting =
51 credit hours
Dental Assisting Associate Degree Plan
General Education Requirements
Course
Theory
ORI 100: Orientation to College
1
PSY 200: General Psychology
3
ONE - Math Elective: (recommended choices)
 MTH 100 Intermediate College Algebra, or
3
 MTH 112 Pre-calculus Algebra, or
 MTH 116 Mathematical Applications
SPH 107: Fundamentals of Public Speaking
3
ENG 101: English Composition I
3
ONE - Natural Science elective: (recommended choices)  BIO 103 Principles of Biology, or
3
 BIO 201 Human Anatomy & Physiology, or
 CHM 104 Intro to Inorganic Chemistry
ONE - CIS elective: (recommended choices)
3
 CIS 130 Intro to Information Systems
 CIS 146 Microcomputer Applications
ONE - Humanities Elective: Art, Foreign Language,
3
Literature, Music, Philosophy, Religion, or Theatre
ONE - History or Social Science or Behavioral Science
elective: (recommended choice)
3
 PSY 210 Human Growth & Development
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Lab
-
Credit
1
3
-
3
-
3
3
2
4
-
3
-
3
-
3
General Education =
Dental Assisting =
AAS total =
26
38
64