Term Effective: Fall 1981

The requirements for this program of study are effective beginning the semester shown above. If you began working on this program before the effective semester, you may not be affected by the changes. Consult with the program contact person or the department chair to determine your eligibility to complete the program under previous requirements.

Description:

The Dental Assisting (Extended-22 Month) Career Certificate is designed for students who are interested in a part-time learning program. The Dental Assisting Career Certificate is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. The program provides a comprehensive education in the health sciences and in clinical dental assisting as preparation to enter the field. Clinical experience is arranged at the Schools of Dentistry of the University of the Pacific and the University of California San Francisco, and in various dental offices in Sonoma County. Students do not receive wages during their clinical training period. This certificate is also available as an 11-month program.

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Registered Dental Assisting Examination to become Registered Dental Assistants (RDA) in the State of California. Graduates receive a certificate in dental radiography and a coronal polish certificate that is validated at the time of licensure as an RDA. Graduates are also eligible to sit for the Certification Exam, a national credential issued by the Dental Assisting National Board and recognized in all states. Certification is required in some states in lieu of a state license.

The increasing sophistication of dental treatment and infection control procedures is changing the role of the dental assistant. The position requires more technical knowledge and skill than before. Therefore, specialized training to the level of Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) is essential. Dental assisting requires both clinical and social skills. The RDA's primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, patient preparation, sterilization of instruments, operatory care, instrument exchange, preparation of materials, radiography and patient education. In addition to clinical responsibilities, those who prefer the business office can have administrative functions such as appointment control, records management and bookkeeping and insurance processing. The practicing dental assistant may be exposed to environmental hazards and infectious diseases including, but not limited to, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV (AIDS). Dental assistants are obliged to provide patient care with compassion and respect for human dignity and the rights of privacy and confidentiality of patients with infectious diseases.

The RDA can find employment in private dental practice, specialty dentistry, hospitals, clinics, and dental schools. Career mobility includes opportunities in dentistry, dental office management, dental public health education, product sales, promotion, and teaching. Employment opportunities for graduates of community college Dental Assisting Programs are excellent and licensed RDA's are in great demand. Students interested in advancing in the field may wish to pursue further studies to become a dental hygienist.

Click here for more information about the program, or contact the Health Sciences Department.

Licensure Note:
The California Dental Board (CDB) may deny licensure for crimes substantially related to the practice of dental assisting. This includes convictions involving sex crimes, drug crimes (including DUI), and crimes of violence. It is the responsibility of the student to present sufficient evidence of rehabilitation prior to licensure.

Course Prerequisites and Advisories:

Courses in a program of study may have prerequisites or advisories; that is, courses that must or should be completed before taking that course. Please check for prerequisites or advisories by clicking on the course numbers in the Program Requirements section.

It is important that students who are completing an Associate Degree and desire to transfer to a four-year institution meet with a counselor to plan their lower division coursework. While many majors at SRJC are intended to align with lower division major preparation required by California public universities, specific lower-division major requirements vary among individual campuses. See a counselor, visit the Transfer Center, and check Guides For Transfer in Specific Majors, and ASSIST to review transfer preparation guides for specific schools and majors.

Notes:

Students must provide documentation of a recent health examination, immunization records, and copy of a current CPR card, including adult, child and infant.
All courses must be completed with a "C" or better.