Dental Assisting AS Major and Dental Assisting Certificate of Achievement

Dental Assisting, AS Major

Training in the curriculum in Dental Assisting is designed to prepare students for employment as Registered and Certified Dental Assistants in private practice, specialty dentistry, hospitals, clinics and dental schools. Positions to which graduates may advance with experience and further training include those of dental product sales representative, insurance auditor, manager, supervisor, educator, and RDAEF. This program includes instruction in intra-oral dental functions and direct patient care/chairside experience in dental schools, clinics and private offices and public dental care facilities in San Francisco and the Daly City/South San Francisco area.Students who have completed their training satisfactorily are qualified to take the state licensure examination to become Registered Dental Assistants and the national examination to become Certified Dental Assistants. The program in Dental Assisting is accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation. The curriculum is designed so that students may satisfy the requirements for graduation from the College and receive the degree of Associate in Science. 

Dental Assisting, Certificate of Achievement

The program of study for the Certificate of Achievement in Dental Assisting is designed to prepare students to take the licensing examination to be a Registered Dental Assistant as administered by the Dental Board of California and also to take the national certification examination to be a Certified Dental Assistant as administered by the Dental Assisting National Board. 

Learning Outcomes – Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Integrate the knowledge of dental science, materials, radiography, procedures, patient and office management into the clinical practices required of registered dental assistants in general and specialized dentistry.
• Perform with competency all registered dental assistant duties outlined by the California Dental Practice Act.
• Conduct work ethically and professionally, as expected in the dental assisting profession.
• Anticipate what is required in state and national licensure exams that authorize one to perform registered and certified dental assistant functions.

Consideration for Admission to the Program – The program in Dental Assisting, offered to new applicants in the fall semester only, is open to all interested students who fulfill the following admission requirements:

1. Be in good physical and mental health.

2. Eligibility for admission to City College of San Francisco. 

3. Complete the Program’s application and health history forms and submit to the Dental Assisting Program’s office.

4. Applications are required to complete the following courses with a C or higher prior to applying to the Dental Assisting Program:

• ENGL 88 or ESL 186 or placement in ENGL 1A or ESL 188*
• BIO 9 or BIO 106 (formerly ANAT 14) or BIO 108 (formerly ANAT 25) or BIO 112 (formerly PHYS 1 or PHYS 12) or equivalent*
• Typing skill of 45 wpm or better. This requirement may be met by successfully completing a computer or typing class, or a typing test can be administrated at the Program’s office. The course for the typing skill does not need to be met at college level. Proof of successful completion of a computer or typing class will be acceptable on any level.

*Students who have a Bachelor's degree (BS or BA), are waived from the English, Science,and typing requirements. Please provide proof of degree with your application.

Students who have not attended college for more than 2 years or do not have a degree in science: It is highly recommended to complete BIO 9 or BIO 106 as a refresher course prior to the program.

*Students may apply while concurrently enrolled in the prerequisite courses.Please indicate this in the application. Students may be conditionally accepted to the program, pending verification of your final grade. All courses must be completed PRIOR to the Fall semester.  

Enrollment 24 per year,  16-19 completions

Learning Outcomes of Dental Assisting Program – Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Integrate the knowledge of dental science, materials, radiography, procedures, patient and office management into the clinical practices required of registered dental assistants in general and specialized dentistry.
• Perform with competency all registered dental assistant duties outlined by the California Dental Practice Act.
• Conduct work ethically and professionally, as expected in the dental assisting profession.
• Anticipate what is required in state and national licensure exams that authorize one to perform registered and certified dental assistant functions.

Dental Assisting, As Major

Assuming students start this AS with transfer‐level math and English eligibility, the minimum time for completion is 4 semesters. Completion time will vary based on student preparation and number of units completed per semester.  

Dental Assisting, Certificate of Achievement

The minimum time for completion of this certificate is 2 semesters. Completion time will vary based on student preparation and number of classes completed per semester.

Courses Required for the AS Major in Dental Assisting

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
DENT 51	Applied Dental Science I	4	S1
DENT 55A	Dental Roentgenography	2	S1
DENT 62	Dental Assistant in Practice	3	S1
DENT 55B	Dental Roentgenography	2	S2
DENT 57	Dental Office Management	3	S2
DENT 52	Dental Materials and Procedures	3	S3
DENT 53	Introduction to Chairside Assisting	3	S3
DENT 54	Applied Dental Science II	2	S4
DENT 67	Advanced Dental Procedures	4	S4
DENT 70	Clinical Chairside Assisting	7	S4
DENT 110A	Coronal Polish	0.5	S4

Courses Required for the Certificate of Achievement in Dental Assisting

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
DENT 51	Applied Dental Science I	4	S1
DENT 52	Dental Materials and Procedures	3	S1
DENT 53	Introduction to Chairside Assisting	3	S1
DENT 55A	Dental Roentgenography	2	S1
DENT 62	Dental Assistant in Practice	3	S1
DENT 54	Applied Dental Science II	2	S2
DENT 55B	Dental Roentgenography	2	S2
DENT 57	Dental Office Management	3	S2
DENT 67	Advanced Dental Procedures	4	S2
DENT 70	Clinical Chairside Assisting	7	S2
DENT 110A	Coronal Polish	0.5	S2

Dental Assisting, As Major

Sequencing of the required courses for the AS Major in Dental Assisting is listed above. Assuming students start this AS with transfer‐level math and English eligibility, the minimum time for completion is 4 semesters. Completion time will vary based on student preparation and number of units completed per semester.  

Dental Assisting, Certificate of Achievement

Sequencing of the required courses for the Certificate of Achievement in Dental Assisting is listed above. The minimum time for completion of this certificate is 2 semesters. Completion time will vary based on student preparation and number of classes completed per semester.

This is a long established program at CCSF.

College of Alameda, Diablo Valley College, Foothill College, College of Marin, San Jose City College, College of San Mateo and Santa Rosa Junior College