Dental Assisting - DAS.CT

Dental Assisting

A dental assistant works at chairside while the dentist examines and treats patients. The dental assistant makes the patient comfortable in the chair, prepares the patient for treatment, obtains dental records, prepares impression and restorative materials, exposes and processes dental radiographs, and hands the dentist the proper instruments and materials. The assistant also sterilizes and disinfects instruments, prepares dental tray setups, and instructs the patient in postoperative and general oral health care.   Apply & Register Program Details

A dental assistant works at chairside while the dentist examines and treats patients. The dental assistant makes the patient comfortable in the chair, prepares the patient for treatment, obtains dental records, prepares impression and restorative materials, exposes and processes dental radiographs, and hands the dentist the proper instruments and materials. The assistant also sterilizes and disinfects instruments, prepares dental tray setups, and instructs the patient in postoperative and general oral health care.

 

Apply & Register
Program Details

Area of Interest:
Health and Wellness
Degree/Certificate:
Academic Certificates
Code Course Credits
First Year / Summer Semester
ENG-101 English Composition I 3
DAS-141 Biological Science for the Dental Assistant 1
DAS-143 Infection Control for the Dental Assistant 2
HPE-181 Basic Life Support “C” AHA 1
PSY-101 Basic Psychology 3
    10
First Year / Fall Semester
DAS-111 Fundamentals of Chairside Assisting 7
DAS-120 Dental Radiology 4
DAS-150 Dental Anatomy for Dental Assisting 2
DAS-151 Dental Laboratory Procedures I 2
DAS-170 Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office 1
    16
Code Course Credits
First Year / Spring Semester
DAS-115 Pharmacology 1
DAS-125 Preventive Dentistry 3
DAS-152 Dental Laboratory Procedures II 2
DAS-160 Supervised Clinical Experience 6
DAS-180 Office Administration 2
DAS-190 Oral Pathology 1
    15
  Total Minimum Credits 41
NOTICE: Part-Time Evening Alternative ALL courses will be held Monday–Thursday 5:30-8:30 p.m.

 

NOTICE: Clinical placements are a required part of the curriculum and a requirement for graduation. Clinical placements may require a criminal background check, health clearance and/or drug testing before participation is allowed. Clinical sites may deny a student’s participation in the event of a positive finding. Individuals who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor may be denied certification or licensure as a health professional. Information regarding eligibility may be obtained from the appropriate credentialing body.

 

NOTICE: Student must have adequate transportation for the clinical placement requirement.

Program Goals

  • To provide a college-level dental assisting education that will prepare the student to function effectively as a dental assistant in various settings.
  • To maintain a dynamic dental assisting education that recognizes the complexity of a scientific and technologically oriented society.
  • To provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to attain certification, registration and licensure mandated for dental assistants.
  • To provide students with General Education courses.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

At the end of the program, the graduate will be able to:

  1. Perform the clinical tasks and responsibilities of a registered dental assistant under direct supervision of a dentist.
  2. Provide patient education.
  3. Apply technology in order to find information, take intraoral photographs, take digital radiographs and manage patient and business records.
  4. Integrate and apply basic science, dental science and dental assisting knowledge and skills.
  5. Explain and apply basic concepts of dental ethics and jurisprudence.

Special Program Information

Part-Time Option for Dental Assisting (DA) Program

This program can be taken on a full time or part-time basis. Classes in the full time program are offered during the day. The part-time program is offered in the evening. Please note that Supervised Clinical Experience in the affiliate offices is offered only during the day in the last semester for both programs.

Employment Opportunities

  • Chairside assistant or business administrator in general
    and specialty practices
  • Chairside assistant or business administrator in hospital
    and institutional settings
  • Dental assisting education
  • Positions dealing with dental insurance, dental laboratories,
    dental suppliers and dental placement agencies

Special Program Requirements

  • Interview with the program coordinator
  • Physical exam, various immunizations, drug screening verification
    must be current and will be required prior to beginning of class.
  • Admission on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis
  • Proof of high school diploma.
  • Completion of high school laboratory biology or chemistry
    with a grade “C” or better (equivalent courses may be taken
    at CCC).
  • Application to the DA program
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA
  • Must maintain grade “C” or better in all DA coursework.
  • Placement at the College level English and math courses
    based on Accuplacer.
  • Students will perform two full-mouth series on patients
    to pre-clinical proficiency. Although some patients may be
    provided by the College, the student may need, identify
    and schedule patients who have a clinical need for dental
    radiographic imaging.

Contact Person

Professor Roxane Terranova, Coordinator
(856) 227-7200, ext. 4471
email: rterranova@camdencc.edu

Additional information

CIP Code

51.0601
Program Code

DAS.CT

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