Academic Catalog

D A 62B: DENTAL SCIENCES II

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Units: 2
Hours: 2 lecture per week (24 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

  • Describe the key stages of embryologic development of the structures and tissues of the head, neck, teeth, and oral cavity, including critical periods and factors influencing development. (75% or better)
  • Identify common developmental and structural defects of the oral cavity and teeth, including cleft palate, enamel hypoplasia, and other congenital conditions. (75% or better)

Description

This is the second course in a three-part series on dental science. This course provides an inclusive overview of the embryologic development of the head, neck, teeth, and oral cavity, along with the histology of hard and soft oral tissues. Students will learn to identify and understand developmental and structural defects in the oral cavity and teeth, as well as the causes and characteristics of periodontal diseases, the caries process, and oral pathology. Emphasis is placed on preparing students to recognize these conditions in patients across the lifespan. 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. Identify the stages of embryologic and fetal development for the head and oral cavity.
  2. Match each tissue of the head and oral cavity to its originating germ layer from a provided list.
  3. Identify common anomalies of oral structures and link them to embryologic developmental failures.
  4. Describe and recognize types of facial and oral developmental anomalies through visuals or descriptions.
  5. List and describe common developmental dental defects.
  6. Sequence and describe each stage of tooth development and its defining characteristics.
  7. Define and describe general pathology terms relevant to oral health.
  8. Identify and describe various types of pathology found in the oral cavity.
  9. List and explain tools used to diagnose oral pathology, including the type of information each tool provides.
  10. Describe the process of caries development, identifying key factors.
  11. Explain AAP periodontal disease classifications and outline the process of periodontal disease development.
  12. Define and explain the processes of inflammation, regeneration, repair, and healing.
  13. Identify and describe common dental infections, including their progression, treatment options, and expected outcomes.

Dental Assisting Program Competencies

  1. Apply dental assisting principles to provide safe and effective care to patients across all ages and abilities.

Infection Control and Hazardous Waste Management

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in infection control and hazardous waste management, emphasizing disease prevention.

Ethical and Legal Principles

  1. Apply ethical and legal principles within the dental office to support professional, patient centered interactions.

Course Content

Dental Assisting Theory and Practice

  1. Embryologic and fetal development of the head and oral cavity
    1. Prenatal development
      1. Preimplantation period
      2. Embryonic period
      3. Fetal period
  2. Embryonic tissues of the head and oral cavity
    1. Primary embryonic layers
      1. Ectoderm
      2. Mesoderm
      3. Endoderm
    2. Branchial arches
    3. Facial development
  3. Stages of tooth development
    1. Initiation
    2. Bud stage
    3. Cap stage
    4. Bell stage
    5. Apposition stage
    6. Maturation stage
  4. General pathology
    1. Developmental disturbances and genetic diseases
    2. Inflammatory and infective disease
    3. Neoplastic growths
  5. Oral pathology
    1. Anomalies of the oral structures due to development
      1. Environmental
      2. Genetic
      3. Syndromes
    2. Common orofacial developmental defects
      1. Cleft lip
      2. Cleft palate
    3. Common dental defects
      1. Dens in dente
      2. Gemination/fusion/concrescence
      3. Congenitally missing teeth
      4. Amelogenesis imperfecta
      5. Dentinogenesis imperfecta
      6. Enamel pearl
      7. Supernumerary teeth
      8. Anodontia/macrodontia/microdontia
      9. Hutchinson's incisor
      10. Hypoplasia
  6. Types of pathology
    1. Oral and dental infections
      1. Candidiasis
      2. Herpes simplex
      3. Periapical or periodontal abscesses
    2. Caries process
    3. Periodontal disease
    4. Oral neoplasms
      1. Cysts
      2. Benign tumors
      3. Malignant tumors
    5. Oral manifestation of systemic disease and health conditions
      1. Cardiovascular disease
      2. Diabetes
      3. Chemotherapy
      4. Head and neck radiation
  7. Identifying oral pathologies
    1. Health history
    2. Head and neck examination
      1. Extraoral
      2. Intraoral
    3. Radiographs
    4. Laboratory diagnostics
      1. Cytology
      2. Excisional and incisional biopsy
  8. Caries process
    1. Process of bacterial colonization
    2. Soft and hard deposits
    3. Demineralization
    4. Remineralization
  9. Periodontal diseases
    1. Gingivitis
      1. Gingival description
    2. Periodontitis
      1. Acute
      2. Chronic
      3. Mobility
      4. Furcation
      5. Bone loss
      6. AAP classification
    3. Inflammation
    4. Regeneration
    5. Surgical and nonsurgical interventions
      1. Periodontal surgery
      2. LNAP
      3. Scaling and root planning
    6. Prevention

Lab Content

Not applicable.

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 (1)
Oral presentations
Tooth development drawing assignment

Method(s) of Instruction

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

Lecture
Discussion
Demonstration
Cooperative learning exercises

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.
  2. Tooth development drawing assignment.
  3. Oral pathology report and presentation.

Discipline(s)

Dental Technology