Dental Assisting - Associate in Science
Registered Dental Assisting Programs are designed to instruct women and men with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform as dental health care paraprofessionals. Students are taught to assist in all phases of general dentistry and dental specialties including prosthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry. Through the Registered Dental Assisting Program students will be taught to perform in expanded functions, trained and licensed in taking dental x-rays, certified in coronal polishing and pit and fissure sealants. The preventive, restorative, business, and employment aspects of dental assisting are also included.
Upon completion of the Program students will be eligible to take the California State Board Examination for licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant (R.D.A.) and the Dental Assisting National Board Certification (C.D.A.).
The Registered Dental Assisting Program at San Jose City College has full accreditation status from the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and is approved by the Dental Board of California. Students are admitted to the program in the fall and spring semester. Advisory Level 2 Basic Language Skills are critical for entry into DENT 151, 152, 153,154, 155 and 156 as well as all other Dental Assisting courses. It is recommended that students planning to enter the program take the placement test as early as possible to determine their level. Those needing to improve their language skills may do so in courses offered by the college prior to admissions to the program.
Costs of uniforms, books, safety items, and miscellaneous supplies are estimated at $1,000-$1,500 for the 11 months of the program. Costs are spread out over the 11 months. Approximately $600 is needed at the start of the program.
Students develop laboratory skills in role-playing situations with mannequins on campus and are assigned to dental offices in the community to develop clinical experience and receive training in a professional working environment. Students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical facilities. Students are required to work 120 hours full time during the Summer Internship rotation. Students should have current certification in C.P.R., provide proof of a Negative TB Test as well as current vaccinations Hepatitis B before entering the second semester.
A student in the Dental Assisting Program must enroll full time in the major classes. A student who meets the certificate requirements is eligible for the R.D.A. and C.D.A. examinations. Prior to, or after finishing the major classes, the student may complete the General Education requirements for the AS Degree.
A grade of "C" or better is required for each course in the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is an acceptable grade for courses in the major or area of emphasis if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.
CAREERS OPTIONS:
- Registered Dental Assistant Extended Functions (R.D.A.E.F.)
- Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
- Registered Dental Hygienist Alternative Practice (RDHAP)
- Dental Laboratory Technician
- Dental X-Ray Technician
- Dental Assisting Instructor
- Dental Officer Manager
- Dental Sedation Assistant (DSA)
- Orthodontic Assistant
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate entry level dental assisting skills that are clinically acceptable in order to work in the field of dentistry assisting during patient care while congruently preparing students for state and national licensure examinations.
- Demonstrate competence of the knowledge and skills required to perform a variety of chair side skills during comprehensive patient care and treatment.
- Analyze and follow mandated and prudent techniques in the prevention of the transmission of diseases through accurate detailed execution of infection control procedures, blood-borne pathogen standards, standard precautions, standard operating procedures, engineering controls and safe work practices.
- Communicate effectively including reading, writing, speaking and listening.
- Demonstrate patient management during patient care by phone or computer interaction with patients.
- Practice communication techniques to establish professional working relationships, team work and better dental office working environment.
- Analyze problems using evidence and sound reasoning to make decisions.
- Discriminate, organize and execute assisting the dentist and/or hygienist during different dental procedures.
- Develop systems to standardize dental care, infection control procedures, equipment and instrument maintenance while complying with all agencies’ recommendation, laws and regulations.
- Display and deliver patient care to diverse, socio-economic backgrounds, disabilities, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, ethnicities, nationalities and differences as it pertains to working as a dental health paraprofessional, patient advocate, and employee in the dental office setting.
- Demonstrate ability to exercise professional and ethical responsibility as a member of the dental profession.
- Demonstrate working within the laws outlined in the state Dental Practice Act and understand the legal and ethical consequences of performing illegal duties.
- Demonstrate ethics by reporting all illegal duties to the Dental Board of California or OSHA, if appropriate.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the area of business management, charting, treatment planning/ recording, filing, billing, and digital radiography with the use of computer systems, Software and digital sensors/scanners.
- Participate in volunteering for a Community Health Projects where students demonstrate creativity, oral communication, research skills, public speaking skills and knowledge of preventive dental health methods used to prevent dental disease to a group in the community.
Major Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DENT 151 | Dental Anatomy and Vital Signs | 3 |
| DENT 152 | Beginning Dental Assisting and Infection Control | 3 |
| DENT 153 | Preventive Dentistry | 1.5 |
| DENT 154 | Radiation Safety 1 | 3 |
| DENT 155 | Basic Chairside Assisting | 3 |
| DENT 156 | Assisting With Prosthodontics and Laboratory Procedures | 1.5 |
| DENT 161 | Radiation Safety 2 and Coronal Polishing | 3 |
| DENT 162 | California Dental Law & Ethics | 1.5 |
| DENT 163 | Dental Specialties | 3 |
| DENT 164 | Dental Office Administration | 1 |
| DENT 165 | Advanced Dental Assisting 1 | 1 |
| DENT 171 | Clinical Dental Assisting 1 | 2.5 |
| DENT 172 | Clinical Dental Assisting 2 | 2.5 |
| DENT 173 | Clinical Dental Assisting 3 | 2.5 |
| Total Units | 32 | |
AS Degree Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | 32 | |
| General Education Requirements | 27 | |
| Degree Applicable Electives | 1 | |
Complete two courses for the U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals Requirement (US-1, US-2, and US-3) | ||
| Total Units | 60 | |