10-508-304Dental & General Anatomy
Course Information
Description
Prepares dental assistant students to apply fundamentals of general and dental anatomy to informed decision-making and to professional communication with colleagues and patients.
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies
  1. Apply descriptive, anatomical, physiological, and directional terminology to the human body and its organization.
    Assessment Strategies
    in an oral, written, or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    use accurate anatomical terminology for the anatomical position
    use accurate directional terminology for the anatomical position
    accurately describe location, structure, and function of body cavities and linings
    accurately identify body planes, sections, and regions

  2. Compare primary tissue types of the body
    Assessment Strategies
    in an oral, written, or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    include all of the significant items to classify
    categorize using significant characteristics
    correctly categorize tissue types
    use correct terminology for body tissue types

  3. Illustrate the relationship among body systems and functions
    Assessment Strategies
    in an oral, written, or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    link the body system and its function
    describe the pathologies associated with each body system
    identify the main components of each body system

  4. Identify the anatomical components of the head and neck according to their structure and functions
    Assessment Strategies
    in an oral, written, or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    identify the bones of the cranium and face
    identify the major muscles of head and neck
    trace the routes of the blood from the heart to the teeth and back to the heart
    identify and locate major salivary glands
    identify and locate the divisions of the trigeminal and facial nerves
    identify the bones and landmarks that make up the temporomandibular joint

  5. Characterize the structures of the oral cavity
    Assessment Strategies
    in an oral, written, or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    identify external oral cavity structures
    identify internal oral cavity structures

  6. Classify the types of teeth
    Assessment Strategies
    in an oral, written, or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    identify all of the names of teeth
    describe the type and function of teeth
    divide the dentition into arch, quadrant, anterior and posterior
    use different numbering system(s) of teeth
    locate tooth surfaces

  7. Characterize tooth structure
    Assessment Strategies
    in an oral, written, or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    differentiate among tooth structures
    describe enamel histology
    describe dentin histology
    describe cementum histology
    describe pulp histology
    describe the external structures of the tooth
    explain life-cycle of the teeth (including embryology, eruption, exfoliation)
    describe dental developmental anomalies
    identify classes and factors associated with malocclusion
    explain eruption and exfoliation sequence

  8. Identify classes and factors of occlusion
    Assessment Strategies
    in an oral, written, or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    describe the factors that impact occlusion
    identify classifications of occlusion
    identify horizontal and vertical relationships of the dentition

  9. Characterize the supporting structure of the teeth
    Assessment Strategies
    in an oral, written, or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    identify the supporting structures of the teeth
    describe properties of the periodontal ligament
    describe properties of the alveolar process
    describe properties of the cementum
    describe structures of the gingiva and oral mucosa

  10. Relate oral pathologies to dental health and treatment
    Assessment Strategies
    in an oral, written, or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    explain how oral pathology impacts treatment
    describe common pathologies
    differentiate healthy tissue from unhealthy tissue
    describe the types of oral lesions