DENTAL ASSISTING ( Official )
Program Type:
Certificate of Achievement
Division:
Health Sciences
Program Description:
The Dental Assisting 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 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 a variety, flexibility, excellent working conditions and personal satisfaction. Students must provide their own transportation to off-campus clinical sites. A selected uniform is required for the program.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved by the Committee on Dental Auxiliaries in California. Upon successful completion of the program, a student is eligible to take the: Dental Assisting National Board examination to obtain a certificate as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and the California Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) examination to obtain a license as a Registered Dental Assistant.
Fingerprinting is mandatory with the RDA examination.
A Certificate of Achievement is awarded upon completion of all required courses with a grade of C or better.
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.
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. The AHA can be contacted at (877)242-4277. CPR training can also be completed at PCC by taking Nurs 214.
6. After acceptance into the program, submit a completed health data form evidencing good health including required immunizations/chest x-ray or Mantoux test.
The Application Process:
Applications are accepted on a year-round basis. Students interested in the part time Dental Assisting Program or additional program information should consult with the program director at (626) 585-7243
Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for English 100 or equivalent.
Additional Courses Required for the Associate in Science Degree:
Consult with a Counselor to determine which classes qualify to receive credit in the general education categories of Natural Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Humanities, Language and Rationality, American Institutions, Health Education, and Physical Activity for the Associate in Science degree.
Effective academic year: 2006-2007
Required Units in the Major:
31
Required Courses
Required Electives
(0 Units)
None
Recommended Electives
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