Camden County College

Camden County College

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A female dental assistent cleaning teeth

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.

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Meta Major:
,
Degree/Certificate:
Code Course Credits
First Year / Summer Semester
ENG-101 English Composition I 1 3
DAS-141 Biological Science for the Dental Assistant 2 1
DAS-143 Infection Control for the Dental Assistant 3 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 4 7
DAS-120 Dental Radiology 4 4
DAS-150 Dental Anatomy for Dental Assisting 4 2
DAS-151 Dental Laboratory Procedures I 4 2
DAS-170 Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office 4 1
16
First Year / Spring Semester
DAS-115 Pharmacology 5 1
DAS-125 Preventive Dentistry 6 3
DAS-152 Dental Laboratory Procedures II 7 2
DAS-160 Supervised Clinical Experience 6
DAS-180 Office Administration 2
DAS-190 Oral Pathology 5 1
15
Code Course Credits
Second Year / First Semester
ENG-102 English Composition II 9 3
ELECTIVE Humanities General Education Elective 3
MTH…. Mathematics General Education Elective 3/4
ELECTIVE Free Elective 3
12/13
Second Year / Second Semester
ELECTIVE Diversity – Humanities General Education Elective 3
ELECTIVE Laboratory Science General Education Elective 4
7
Total Minimum Credits 60/61

1 Must test into ENG-101 or complete all appropriate prerequisites
2 Co-requisite: DAS-143
3 Formal Acceptance into the Dental Assisting Program
4 Prerequisites: DAS-141 and DAS-143
5 Prerequisites: DAS-141 and DAS-170
6 Prerequisites: DAS-141, DAS-143, DAS-150, DAS-151, AND DAS-170
7 Prerequisite: DAS-151, AND DAS-170
8 Prerequisites: DAS-111, DAS-120, DAS-150, DAS-151, AND DAS-170
9 Prerequisite: ENG-101

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.

Student must have adequate transportation for the clinical placement requirement.

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.

Employment Opportunities

  • Chairside assistant or business administrator in general or specialty practices
  • Chairside assistant or business administrator in hospital and institutional settings
  • Dental assisting education

Interviews from Dental Assistants

Special Program Requirements

Download Information Packet

  • Completion of the Dental Assisting Certificate program at
    Camden County College or graduation from a recognized
    accredited dental assisting (CODA) career program.
  • Physical exam, various immunizations, drug screening
    verification must be current and will be required prior to
    beginning of class.
  • Interview and assessment of credentials with
    the program coordinator.
  • Placement into college-level English and
    mathematics courses based on the results of
    the College Placement Test or other approved test.
  • Proof of high school diploma.
  • Application to the Dental Assisting program.
  • Minimum of 2.5 GPA.
  • Completion of high school biology and chemistry lab course with a “C” or better
    (equivalent courses may be taken at CCC).
  • Must maintain a grade “C” or better in all dental assisting
    coursework.
  • All credit assessments will be conducted by transcripts.
  • 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.

Transfer Opportunities

Students in this program transfer to many institutions including our premier partner:

Rutgers University Logo

Contact Person

Gretchen Heller, BSHS, RDH, CDA
Dental Assisting Program Coordinator
Dental Dept
Halpern Hall for Science & Health Education #329 J
856-227-7200 ext. 4729
Blackwood Campus
gheller@camdencc.edu

Accreditation

  • The Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission
    on Dental Accreditation.
  • The Dental Assisting radiology course is accredited by the New
    Jersey Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners.

Additional information

CIP Code

51.0601
Program Code

DAS.AAS

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