Dental Assisting

Career Opportunities

Graduates may be hired as expanded function assistants, preventive assistants, business assistants, or traditional assistants. Employment opportunities are high and well distributed throughout the state. Dental assistants directly assist with all aspects of patient treatment and perform certain procedures independently. They also organize instruments, set up and oversee sterilization and disinfecting procedures, inventory control, ordering of supplies, polishing teeth, applying fluoride, placing sealants, providing homecare instructions, taking X-rays, and fabricating and placing temporary restorations.

See Healthcare » Dental Assisting for more career and employment information.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of the Dental Assisting Program, the successful student will be able to:

Effectively, independently, and efficiently perform supportive services that may be performed by registered dental assistants in Washington State
Know and follow state and federal standards when assessing situations to maintain safe environments in the dental setting
Measure, record, interpret, and report data in both clinical and office settings
Adjust communication techniques to interact effectively with colleagues and patients who have diverse backgrounds, expectations, and needs
Use multiple approaches to solve problems and deal with issues as they emerge while considering professional responsibilities and the perspectives of others
Engage in processes that support continual improvement

Ed Plan / Class List

Entry Requirements

TRANSFER OF CREDIT: Have any previous college credits evaluated for transfer of credit into the Dental Assisting Program. Submit official copies of previous college transcripts or an Application for Transfer of Credit form. An official transcript is one sent directly between schools or submitted by the student in a sealed envelope. Student (unofficial) copies of transcripts may be used for advising.

READMISSIONS: Readmissions of students is governed by policies in the Dental Assisting Policy and Procedural Manual, available from program faculty.

Additional Considerations:
HEALTH AND SAFETY: Prior to the beginning of fall quarter (the second quarter in the program), students registered in the Dental Assisting Program are required to have current and valid healthcare provider basic life support (BLS) certification (a BLS course is offered to students during the first summer quarter), to have started the Hepatitis B vaccination series, and to have received a recent Tuberculosis (TB) skin test (within 60 days prior to the start of fall quarter). Documentation for each of these requirements must be presented by the first day of class in fall quarter.

UNIFORMS: Information on uniforms will be provided during advising and registration to those accepted into the Dental Assisting Program.

Summer

All students required to complete precollege Math or English coursework must complete HDEV 101: Enhancing Student Success (3 credits) within their first two quarters of attendance.

DENT101 Orientation to Dentistry 2 Credits Search Schedule

Basic terminology, anatomy, types of dental procedures and responsibilities related to the operations of dentistry. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT110 Dental Office Exposure Control 5 Credits Search Schedule

Instructs students on OSHA/WISHA Exposure Control as it pertains to dentistry. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT141 Ethics and Jurisprudence 1 Credit Search Schedule

Reviews ethics and jurisprudence, Washington State Dental Practice Act, roles of the traditional and expanded functions for both the dental assistant and dental hygienist as it pertains to Washington State. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

Fall

DENT142 Pretreatment Analysis 2 Credits Search Schedule

Assessment of the patient's medical health history as it relates to dental treatment. This includes health history review, taking and recording of vital signs, basic pharmacology, and medical emergencies. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT151 Dental Materials I 3 Credits Search Schedule

Introduction to the properties and techniques for the usage of common dental restorative materials and the rationale for the selection and preparation of the materials. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT152 Instruments 3 Credits Search Schedule

Introduction to instruments used for restorative dentistry including identification, ordering, sequence of use, transfer and grasps. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT153 Dental Science 3 Credits Search Schedule

Covers development and identification of intra oral and extra oral structures, including terminology, histology, morphology, and pathology. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT155 Introduction to Chairside Assisting 4 Credits Search Schedule

Student?s orientation to the Campus Dental Clinic including chairside assisting skills, patient management and the student?s role in patient care. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT156 Practical Lab Application I 1 Credit Search Schedule

Students are assigned rotations into the Campus Dental Clinic for observation and to assist dentists in the delivery of dental services to patients from the community at large. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT162 Dental Specialties I 2 Credits Search Schedule

Basic information regarding endodontics and oral surgery, including background, procedures, and instrumentation. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

Winter

DENT160 Introduction to Radiography 4 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces dental radiography and includes instruction in bitewing radiographs, manual and auto processing, patient and operator safety, biological effects of radiation, principles of radiography, evaluation of radiographs, and exposure of bitewing radiographs on Dexter's and patients. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT161 Dental Materials II 3 Credits Search Schedule

Emphasis on fixed and removable prosthodontics. Construction of a variety of temporary crowns and custom trays. Manipulation of impression materials, techniques for prepping and seating crown and bridge, laboratory steps for fabrication and sequence of patient's appointments. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT164 Preventive Dentistry 4 Credits Search Schedule

A comprehensive lecture and lab course that includes all principles of preventive dentistry. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT165 Chairside Assisting II 3 Credits Search Schedule

Introduction to rotary instruments, charting, legal entries, placement and removal of dental dams, matrices and wedges. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT166 Practical Lab Application II 2 Credits Search Schedule

Students are assigned rotations into the Campus Dental Clinic and visitations in local dental offices for observation and to assist dentists in the delivery of dental services to patients from the community at large. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT179 Dental Office Management 2 Credits Search Schedule

Introduction to basic business administration procedures for the dental office to include Dentrix software program. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

Spring

DENT170 Radiology II 4 Credits Search Schedule

Exposing, processing, mounting, and evaluating full mouth sets of radiographs using the paralleling and bisecting techniques. Includes technique errors, various holding devices, quality assessment, extraoral radiographs, and digital radiography. Students expose radiographs on manikins and lab patients. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT171 Dental Materials III 4 Credits Search Schedule

Manipulation of irreversible hydrocolloids for preliminary impressions resulting in the fabrication of study models, bleaching trays and mouth guards. Dental waxes and their uses are included. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT172 Dental Specialties II 2 Credits Search Schedule

Introduction to the specialty of orthodontics. Included is the study of bite classifications, diagnostic records, instrumentation, appliances and retainers. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT173 Dental Science II 2 Credits Search Schedule

Systems of the body will be presented with emphasis on anatomy and physiology in the head and neck region. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT174 Advanced Practice Lab 1 Credit Search Schedule

Students identify and practice skills taught first, second and third quarters in need of further review and higher proficiencies culminating in a program portfolio or comparable lab project. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT175 Chairside Assisting III 2 Credits Search Schedule

Introduction to a hazardous communications program found in a dental office; use of nitrous oxide as an analgesic; group research project involving various countries and cultural norms of our patients and peers; written and oral dental related reports. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT176 Practical Lab Application III 2 Credits Search Schedule

Rotation through the Campus Dental Clinic and dental office visitations while assisting in traditional and expanded skills as assigned. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

Summer

DENT180 Clinical Experience 8 Credits Search Schedule

Students are assigned to off campus dental practices in the community and rotate through the Campus Dental Clinic. Students are evaluated on-site both by the course instructor and by clinic personnel on chairside assisting, patient management skills, application of team concepts, and professionalism. Students are assigned two clinical sessions, four weeks per session. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT181 Advanced Theory 2 Credits Search Schedule

Student preparation and review to take the Dental Assisting National Board Exam and become a Certified Dental Assistant. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

General Education Requirements

Communication:

ENGL&101 English Composition I 5 Credits Search Schedule

Develops writing skills by focusing on strategies and techniques writers use to convey ideas, evaluate information, make a point, and participate in multiple discourse communities. Emphasizes both the process and the product of writing. This course was formerly known as WRIT 101, College Writing I. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement test scores OR appropriate completion of ENGL 095, ENGL 095X, or ENGL 098 OR concurrent enrollment in ENGL 110 with instructor's permission.
Distribution: AA, AAS, AS, DTA, COMMUNICATION, GER-CIS, AA-AAS-T-COMMUNICATION, AAS-COMMUNICATION: Reading/Writing, AAS-READING-WRITING

Additional Communication:

5 Credits in ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATION

Computation

5 Credits in COMPUTATION

Human Relations

5 Credits in HUMAN RELATIONS

(must satisfy diversity requirement)

Elective 1 credit

Effective Catalog Year 2018-2019

Length of Program

The program is designed to be completed in five quarters (summer through the following summer) by full-time students.

Cost of Program / Financial Aid

ADDITIONAL COSTS (dollar values are approximate and subject to change):

Non-refundable application fee	$25.00
Hepatitis B vaccination	$250.00
Tuberculosis clearance	$100.00
Malpractice insurance	$17.00
Name tag	$15.00
Uniforms and shoes	$300.00
Clinical uniform scrub fee	$150.00
Printing	$50.00
Textbooks and supplies	$300.00
Dental instruments and supplies	$1,000.00
Lab fee	$200.00
Typodont model	$175.00
National Board exam	$425.00

TUITION & FEES

Admission Requirements

Students must have a high school diploma, its equivalent, or post-secondary degree to be eligible for the program.

Preparation for the Dental Assisting Program

If you have not already satisfied basic skill and/or pre-college requirements, use the college’s general application to apply for admission as early as possible for an upcoming quarter. Contact Enrollment Services about placement testing or receiving a placement test waiver. Refer to the General Education Requirements for the Associate in Applied Science for recommended general education courses. It is not mandatory that all the general education courses be completed prior to starting the program. A new general application for admission need not be submitted if you are a current student at South Puget Sound Community College. Contact a Dental Assisting Program Advisor for assistance in your preparation.

Application Procedure

Applications for the Dental Assisting Program will be accepted beginning on the first business day in December. Those received by the first business day in April will be given priority consideration for admission. There is a required, non-refundable $25.00 application fee due at the time of application. The Dental Assisting Program application and fee are required for entry into the Dental Assisting Program even if you are already attending the college for other courses or programs.

Applications will be ranked according to the number of required general education courses successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better and/or enrolled in. In the event of a tie, priority will be given based upon the date of application. It is recommended but not required that all the general education courses be completed prior to starting the program.

Application Process / How to Apply

Dental Assisting Program Admissions and How to Apply

Transfer of Credit

Have any previous college credits evaluated for transfer of credit into the Dental Assisting Program. Submit official copies of previous college transcripts or an Application for Transfer of Credit form. An official transcript is one sent directly between schools or submitted by the student in a sealed envelope. Student (unofficial) copies of transcripts may be used for advising.

Readmissions

Readmissions of students is governed by policies in the Dental Assisting Policy and Procedural Manual, available from program faculty.

Accreditation

The Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda

Additional Information

An Associate in Applied Science Degree will be awarded upon successful completion of a minimum of 90 credits in courses numbered 100 or above. All core and general education distribution requirements must be met, with any additional credits to be selected as electives. Courses coded DENT must be taken in succession. All DENT courses and general education requirements must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to continue in and complete the program.

DENTAL CLINIC

Dental Assisting