Revised 05/2020

DNA 108 - Dental Science (3 CR.)

Course Description

Studies head and neck anatomy, tooth morphology, pathological conditions of the oral cavity, disease processes, and microbiology. Lecture: 2 hours per week. Laboratory: 3 hours per week. Total: 5 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course exposes students to an in-depth study of the human dentition and its supporting structures. Other areas of study include oral histology, embryology, microbiology, oral pathology, as well as head and neck anatomy.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

  • Prerequisites: ENG 111, NAS 159, and SDV 101
  • Corequisites: DNA 100, DNA 110, DNA 113, DNA 134 and PSY 200

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Describe and identify anatomical landmarks of the oral cavity, as well as their functions
  • Describe and identify surfaces and characteristics of the permanent and deciduous dentition
  • Describe and identify histological structures of the hard and soft tissues
  • Describe and identify the embryonic development for structures that form the face and palate
  • Describe and identify the bones, muscles, nerves, vascular supply and lymph nodes of the head and neck region
  • Describe and identify various types of microorganisms and the diseases they cause
  • Describe the various mechanisms of disease transmission
  • Describe the process of inflammation and how it protects the body
  • Describe the ethical, legal and regulatory considerations related to bloodborne infectious diseases
  • Describe the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, treatment and prognosis of common oral conditions

Major Topics to Be Included

  1. Anatomical Landmarks of The Oral Cavity
  2. Salivary Gland
  3. Variations of The Oral Cavity
  4. Permanent and Deciduous Dentition
  5. Eruption and Exfoliation
  6. Occlusal Relationships
  7. Oral Histology and Embryology
  8. Head and Neck Anatomy
  9. Microbiology
  10. Disease Transmission and Immunity
  11. Infectious Diseases
  12. Oral Pathology