Dental Assisting

The DentalAssisting curriculum prepares the student to take on significant responsibility as a member of the dental health care team. Employment positions are available in dental offices, hospitals, clinics, dental schools, and professional sales. Dental Assistants greatly increase the efficiency of the dentist in the delivery of quality oral health care. A career in dental assisting offers many challenges and a variety of procedures. Specific tasks may be performed such as: assisting with and providing direct patient care, taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays), sterilizing instruments, taking impressions, and performing office management tasks. Dental assisting offers variety, flexibility, excellent working conditions, and personal satisfaction. Students successfully completing the program will receive the following certificates for courses approved by the Dental Board of California: Radiation Safety, Pit and fissure Sealant, Coronal Polish, Ultrasonic Scaling for Removal of OrthodonticCement, Dental Practice Act, and Infection Control. Participation in all off-campus assigned sites is required for program completion. Students must provide their own transportation to off-campus sites. Some off-campus sites require homeland security screening and verification of legal status. Selected uniforms, malpractice insurance, and instrument kit rental are required for the program participation.

 

The dental assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved as a Registered Dental AssistingProgram by the Dental Board of California. Upon successful completion of the program and meeting board exam eligibility requirements, the student can take the following exams: Dental Assisting National Board examination to obtain a certificate as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), Certified OrthodonticAssistant (COA), and the California Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)examinations to obtain a license as a Registered Dental Assistant. Upon completion of the advanced Orthodontic assistant class, the student qualifies to take the California Orthodontic Assistant Exam (OA).

 

Fingerprinting is mandatory with the RDA examination. A social security number or a TIN is required to take the RDA exam.

 

The program in dental assisting is accredited by the Commission on DentalAccreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “Approval without reporting requirements”. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East ChicagoAvenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission's web address is:http://www.ada.org/100.aspx.

 

DentalBoard of California

http://www.dbc.ca.gov/

24 students per year.

The Dental Assisting Certificate of Achievement program is a 10-month program that prepares the students to begin a career in dental health care. Upon completion of the program,

 The student will be eligible to take the DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) exam to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and take the Dental Board of California's Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam to obtain a license.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

 

Students will be assessed on their ability to

 

1. Demonstrate technical skills and abilities, safety, and infection control procedures as outlined by the California Dental Practice Act. (DA 100, 108,110, 111, 123A, 123B, 124, 125, 127, 135, 140,).

2. Exhibit professional growth, behavior, knowledge, and development, foster empathy and concern, and work toward a commitment of excellence at all times (All DA courses).

3. Exhibit communication and conflict skills and strategies that are effective with individuals and groups who are diverse in age, gender, or culture (All DA courses).

Requirements for Admission into the Dental Assisting Program are:

 

1.Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent with a 2.0-grade point average. Satisfactory completion of College level courses.

2.Grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 for all college work.

3.Two sets of high school and college transcripts.

4.Completed application of admission to the program.

5.Current CPR/Basic Life Support (BLS) card, which must be maintained while in the program. CPR training can be obtained from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross, Health Care Provider course.

6.After acceptance into the program, submit a completed health data for evidencing good health including required immunizations/chest x-ray or Mantoux test.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certificate of Achievement: Dental Assisting

10 months

 

Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3
DA 100  Dental Materials 3.0 units	DA 125 Clinical Experience 1 2.0 units	DA  127 Clinical Experience 11 5.0 units
DA 108 Infection Control in Dentistry  2.0 Units	DA 123B  Advanced Chairside Techniques 4.0 units	DA 160 Comprehensive Dental Assisting Exam Review .50 units   (elective)
DA 110 Introduction to Dental Essentials 3.5 units	DA 135  Registered Dental Assistant Techniques 3.0 units	DA 150 Clinical Experience in a Specialty office .50 units (elective for advanced orthodontic assistant)
DA 123A  Chairside Techniques 4.5 units	DA 124 Dental Office Administration 3.0 units
DA 140 Oral Radiology 4.0 units	DA 111 Applied Human Behavior 2.0 Units
DA 200A Dental Assisting Lab          1.0 units (elective)	DA200 B  Dental Assisting Technical skills enhancement lab 1 unit (elective)
	DA 149 Orthodontic Assistant (elective) 2.0

Cerritos College Citrus College Chaffey College Cypress College West Los Angeles College

Cerritos College Citrus College Chaffey College Cypress College West Los Angeles College

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