Academic Catalog

D A 62A: DENTAL SCIENCES I

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Units: 2
Hours: 2 lecture, 1 laboratory per week (36 total per quarter)
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the normal sequence and process of tooth eruption, including primary and permanent dentition. (75% or better)
  • Identify and describe the anatomy and morphology of all tooth types (incisors, canines, premolars, molars), including their function, structure, and distinguishing characteristics. (75% or better)

Description

This is the first course in a three-part series on dental science. This course provides a comprehensive overview of dental and craniofacial anatomy critical for dental assisting practice. Students will explore the anatomy and morphology of teeth, including the stages and sequence of tooth eruption, classifications of occlusion, and the development of various malocclusions. The course also covers the anatomy of the skull, with an emphasis on the head and neck's vascular, muscular, and nervous structures. By the end of the course, students will be able to identify and describe these anatomical structures, relate their functions to dental care, and apply this foundational knowledge in clinical settings. Intended for students in the Dental Assisting Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

Dental Assisting Theory and Practice

  1. Accurately identify the different tissues of the tooth and supporting structures.
  2. Describe the specific names of teeth, their function, and division within the dentition.
  3. Describe periodontal tissues and their roles in oral health.
  4. Describe the stages of the tooth eruption process.
  5. Differentiate between normal occlusion and various classes of malocclusion.
  6. Identify individual bones and their landmarks of the skull and face.
  7. Distinguish between characteristics of deciduous and permanent teeth.
  8. Describe the muscles of the head and neck, including their functions.
  9. Explain the function and movements associated with the TMJ.
  10. Identify major salivary glands and explain the role of saliva in oral health.
  11. Describe tongue surfaces and the functions of different types of papillae.
  12. Explain how the circulatory system supports oral cavity structures.
  13. Identify cranial nerves involved in oral and dental functions with an emphasis on local anesthesia.

Dental Assisting Program Competencies

  1. Apply dental assisting theories and practices in providing care to patients of all ages and abilities, and ensuring equitable, effective service.
  2. Implement infection control procedures and hazardous waste management practices to minimize disease transmission.

Infection Control and Hazardous Waste Management

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and ability to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.

Ethical and Legal Principles

  1. Demonstrate respect and professionalism in the dental setting.

Course Content

Dental Assisting Theory and Practice

  1. Tissues of the tooth
    1. Enamel
    2. Dentin
    3. Cementum
    4. Pulp
      1. Pulp horns
      2. Root canal
  2. Names given to the teeth in the dentition
    1. Central incisor
    2. Lateral incisor
    3. Cuspid
    4. Premolars
    5. Molars
  3. Surfaces and anatomical landmarks found on the teeth
    1. Surfaces
      1. Mesial
      2. Distal
      3. Facial/buccal/labial
      4. Lingual/palatal
      5. Occlusal/incisal
    2. Anatomical landmarks
      1. Cingulum
      2. Cusp/cusp of Carabelli
      3. Fissure
      4. Fossa
      5. Groove/developmental groove/supplemental groove
      6. Mamelon
      7. Marginal ridge
      8. Apical foramen
    3. Divisions of the teeth and oral cavity
      1. Teeth
        1. Anatomical and clinical crown and root
        2. CEJ, DCJ and DEJ
        3. Occlusal, incisal, cervical, middle, apical thirds
    4. Line and point angles
    5. Contacts
    6. Embrasures
    7. Curve of Wilson
    8. Curve of Spee
  4. Divisions of the dentition
    1. Midline
    2. Maxillary arch
    3. Mandibular arch
    4. Quadrants
    5. Sextants
  5. Periodontium
    1. Alveolar process
    2. Periodontal ligament
    3. Gingiva
      1. Free gingiva
      2. Attached gingiva
    4. Mucosa
    5. Free gingival groove
    6. Sulcus
  6. Structures of the face and oral cavity
    1. Lips
      1. Labial commissure
      2. Vermillion zone
      3. Lower and upper lip
    2. Vestibule/mucobuccal fold
    3. Mucogingival junction
    4. Salivary gland ducts
      1. Stenson's duct
      2. Wharton's duct
    5. Interdental papilla
    6. Uvula, posterior/anterior pillars, soft palate, hard palate, tonsils, oropharynx
    7. Retromolar pad and maxillary tuberosity
    8. Hard palate, rugae, and incisive papilla
    9. Floor of the mouth
      1. Sublingual caruncle
      2. Plica fimbriata
  7. Eruption process
    1. Exfoliation
    2. Timeline
  8. Occlusion
    1. Class I, II, and III malocclusions
    2. Overjet and overbite
    3. Edge-to-edge bite
    4. Crossbite
  9. Bones of the skull and associated landmarks
    1. Frontal bone
      1. Orbit
      2. Frontal sinuses
    2. Parietal bones
      1. Sagittal suture
      2. Coronal suture
      3. Fontanelle
    3. Occipital bone
      1. Lamboidal suture
      2. Foramen magnum
    4. Temporal bones
      1. External auditory meatus
      2. Mastoid process
      3. Glenoid fossa
      4. Styloid process
    5. Sphenoid bone
      1. Greater and lesser wings
      2. Sphenoid sinuses
      3. Sella turcica
      4. Pterygoid process
      5. Hamulus
    6. Ethmoid bone
      1. Ethmoid sinuses
      2. Medial and superior conchae
    7. Auditory ossicles
      1. Malleus, incus, and stapes
  10. Bones of the face and associated landmarks
    1. Zygomatic bones
      1. Frontal process
      2. Temporal process
      3. Zygomatic arch
    2. Maxillary bones
      1. Maxillary suture
      2. Zygomatic process
      3. Maxillary sinuses
      4. Alveolar processes
      5. Maxillary tuberosity
      6. Infraorbital foramen
    3. Palatine bones
      1. Greater and lesser palatine foramen
      2. Incisive foramen
      3. Medial palatine suture
    4. Nasal bones
    5. Lacrimal bones
    6. Vomer bone
    7. Superior, middle, and inferior conchae
    8. Mandible
      1. Ramus
      2. Coronoid process
      3. Sigmoid notch
      4. Condyloid process
      5. Angle of the mandible
      6. Oblique ridge
      7. Mental protuberance
      8. Mylohyoid ridge
      9. Mandibular notch
      10. Mental and mandibular foramen
      11. Retromolar area
      12. Body of the mandible
      13. Genial tubercules
    9. Hyoid bone
  11. Deciduous vs. permanent teeth
    1. Number of teeth
    2. Types of deciduous teeth
    3. Anatomical differences
  12. Muscles of the head and neck
    1. Muscles of mastication
      1. Types
      2. Function
      3. Origins and insertions
    2. Muscles of facial expression
      1. Types
      2. Function
  13. Temporomandibular joint
    1. Glenoid fossa
    2. Articular eminence
    3. Condyloid process
    4. Capsular ligament
    5. Articular space
  14. Temporomandibular joint movements
    1. Hinge action
    2. Gliding action
  15. Salivary glands
    1. Parotid salivary gland
    2. Sublingual salivary gland
    3. Submandibular salivary gland
    4. Minor salivary glands
  16. Tongue
    1. Surfaces of the tongue
      1. Dorsal
      2. Ventral
      3. Lateral surfaces
      4. Apex
    2. Taste
      1. Sweet
      2. Salty
      3. Sour
      4. Bitter
    3. Papillae
      1. Fungiform
      2. Circumvallate
      3. Filiform
  17. Blood supply associated with the oral cavity
    1. Arteries
    2. Veins
    3. Pterygoid plexis
  18. Lymph nodes
    1. Cervical nodes
    2. Preauricular, subauricular, postauricular nodes
    3. Occipital nodes
  19. Cranial nerves associated with the oral cavity
    1. Trigeminal nerve
    2. Facial nerve
    3. Glossopharyngeal nerve
    4. Hypoglossal nerve
  20. Nerves of the skull associated with local anesthesia
    1. Anterior superior alveolar (ASA) nerve
    2. Middle superior alveolar (MSA) nerve
    3. Posterior superior alveolar (PSA) nerve
    4. Nasopalatine nerve
    5. Greater palatine nerve
    6. Inferior alveolar and lingual nerves
    7. Mental nerve
    8. Buccal nerve

Lab Content

  1. Identify parts of the skull and teeth on models
  2. Anatomy in clay on plastic skull
  3. Examine teeth models
  4. Examine study models for classification of occlusion
  5. Label drawings and color study guides

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

When taught as an online/hybrid section, on-going access to computer with email software and hardware; email address.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Quizzes (8)
Midterm (1)
Final exam (1)
Tooth anatomy assignment (1)
Anatomy in clay assignment (4)

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture
Discussion
Laboratory
Demonstration
Cooperative learning exercises
Oral presentations

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Bird, D.L., and D.S. Robinson. Modern Dental Assisting, 14th ed.. 2023.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Weekly reading assignments from text.
  2. Completion of worksheets.
  3. Tooth drawings.
  4. Anatomy in clay.

Discipline(s)

Dental Technology