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The dental assisting PSAV prepares you for a rewarding career that requires both interpersonal and technical skills. The duties of a dental assistant are among the most comprehensive and varied in the dental office, including work with dentists during a variety of procedures. During this one-year program, you learn skills such as processing X-rays, fabricating temporary crowns, placing sealants, and polishing teeth. Graduates must pass the Dental Assisting National Board Examination to earn the Certified Dental Assisting (CDA) designation.
Career opportunities include private dental offices in general practice, orthodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, or endodontics; or dental clinics located in correctional facilities, military bases, or public health units.
The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, 312.440.4653 or https://www.ada.org/en/coda. NOTE: The dental assisting program is a 12-month, full-time program and has specific admissions criteria.
This curriculum is from the current college catalog and is meant to provide prospective students an example of courses taken in this degree/certificate. It is not intended to be used for graduation requirements. Students should consult an advisor for graduation information.
Program Requirements
(Clock hours and vocation credit)
DEA 0130 Allied Dental Theory - 45 hr. (1.5 cr.)
DEA 0134 Dental Office Emergencies - 30 hr. (1.0 cr.)
DEA 0800 Clinical Practice I - 75 hr. (2.5 cr.)
DEA 0800L Clinical Practice I Lab - 150 hr. (5.0 cr.)
DEA 0801L Dental Practicum - 254 hr. (8.5 cr.)
DEA 0931 Dental Assisting in Orthodontics - 15 hr. (0.5 cr.)
DEA 0931L Dental Assisting in Orthodontics Lab - 30 hr. (1.0 cr.)
DES 0021 Head, Neck, and Dental Anatomy - 45 hr. (1.5 cr.)
DES 0021L Head, Neck, and Dental Anatomy Lab - 30 hr. (1.0 cr.)
DES 0053 Dental Pharmacology/Pain Control - 30 hr. (1.0 cr.)
DES 0053L Dental Pharmacology/Pain Control Lab - 15 hr. (0.5 cr.)
DES 0103 Dental Materials - 45 hr. (1.5 cr.)
DES 0103L Dental Materials Lab - 45 hr. (1.5 cr.)
DES 0205 Dental Radiology - 45 hr. (1.5 cr.)
DES 0205L Dental Radiology Lab - 45 hr. (1.5 cr.)
DES 0300 Dental Psychology - 15 hr. (0.5 cr.)
DES 0400 Dental Anatomy and Physiology - 45 hr. (1.5 cr.)
DES 0500 Computer Applications in Modern Dentistry - 30 hr. (1.0 cr.)
DES 0501 Dental Office Management - 30 hr. (1.0 cr.)
DES 0804 Intro to Clinical Procedures I - 60 hr. (2.0 cr.)
DES 0804L Intro to Clinical Procedures I Lab - 30 hr. (1.0 cr.)
DES 0830 Expanded Functions for Dental Auxiliaries - 15 hr. (0.5 cr.)
DES 0830L Expanded Functions for Dental Auxiliaries Lab - 45 hr. (1.5 cr.)
DES 0844 Preventive Dentistry - 30 hr. (1.0 cr.)
DES 0936 Dental Seminar - 15 hr. (0.5 cr.)
HSC 0003 Fundamentals of Allied Health Occupations - 16 hr. (0.5 cr.)