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.
- Courses
- Learning Outcomes
- Employment
- Special Requirements
- Contact
- Accreditations
- Additional information
| 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 | ||
| Code | Course | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 8 | 6 | |
| DAS-180 | Office Administration | 2 | |
| DAS-190 | Oral Pathology 5 | 1 | |
| 15 | |||
| Total Minimum Credits | 41 | ||
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
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
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.
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.
placement requirement.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of the program, the graduate will be able to:
- Perform the clinical tasks and responsibilities of a registered dental assistant under direct supervision of a dentist.
- Provide patient education.
- Apply technology in order to find information, take intraoral photographs, take digital radiographs and manage patient and business records.
- Integrate and apply basic science, dental science and dental assisting knowledge and skills.
- 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
- 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 or 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.
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
Commission of Dental Accreditation can be
reached at (800) 232-6108 or at 211 East
Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60611. - 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.CT |
