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 https://spscc.edu/healthcare/dental-assisting for more career and employment information.

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

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

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

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.

Applicants 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.

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

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

DENT110 Dental Infection and Hazard Control 5 Credits Search Schedule

Covers infection and hazard control in the dental setting. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT141 Ethics and Jurisprudence 1 Credit Search Schedule

Introduces ethics and jurisprudence. Covers the Washington State Dental Practice Act and traditional and expanded roles of dental healthcare workers. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

Fall

DENT142 Pretreatment Analysis 2 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces the assessment of the patient's medical health history as it relates to dental treatment. Covers 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

Introduces the properties and techniques for the usage of common dental restorative materials. Covers 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

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

DENT 153 Dental Science 3 Credits

DENT155 Chairside Assisting I 4 Credits Search Schedule

Orients students to the Campus Dental Clinic and covers various chairside assisting skills, patient management, and the student's role in patient care. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT156 Program Clinic Practicum I 1 Credit Search Schedule

Provides hands-on learning through the program's Campus Dental Clinic to work on supportive services that may be performed by registered dental assistants in Washington State while assisting 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

Introduces the specialty of endodontics and oral surgery. Includes background, procedures, and instrumentation. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

Winter

DENT160 Radiography I 4 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces dental radiography with a focus on bitewing radiographs. Covers manual and auto processing, patient and operator safety, biological effects of radiation, principles of radiography, and evaluation of radiographs. Students expose bitewing radiographs on manikins and live patients. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT161 Dental Materials II 3 Credits Search Schedule

Emphasizes fixed and removable prosthodontics. Covers the construction of custom resin temporary crowns and custom trays, the manipulation of impression materials, techniques for prepping and seating crown and bridge, and the role of dental labs. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT164 Preventive Dentistry 4 Credits Search Schedule

Covers all principles of preventive dentistry including hygiene, nutrition, coronal polishing, fluoride, and sealants using simulators and live patients. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT165 Chairside Assisting II 3 Credits Search Schedule

Covers rotary instruments, placement of dental dams, and matrices and wedges. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT166 Program Clinic Practicum II 2 Credits Search Schedule

Provides students hands-on learning through the program's Campus Dental Clinic to work on supportive services that may be performed by registered dental assistants in Washington State while assisting dentists in the delivery of dental services to patients from the community at large. Students are also assigned to visitations in local dental offices to observe the delivery of dental services in different settings. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT179 Dental Office Management 2 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces business administration procedures for the dental office and utilizes a Dentrix software program. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

Spring

DENT170 Radiology II 4 Credits Search Schedule

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

DENT171 Dental Materials III 4 Credits Search Schedule

Emphasizes impressions and various dental appliances. Covers the manipulation of irreversible hydrocolloids, digital impressions, study models, bleaching trays, and mouth guards. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT172 Dental Specialties II 2 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces the specialty of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry. Includes 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

Covers the systems of the body and emphasizes anatomy and physiology of the head and neck region. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT174 Advanced Practice Lab 1 Credit Search Schedule

Covers skills taught in the first, second and third quarters of the program in need of further review and higher proficiencies. Culminates in a portfolio or comparable lab project to provide students more practice. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT175 Chairside Assisting III 2 Credits Search Schedule

Covers the consideration of the diversity of others and how bias impacts our relationships with patients and peers. Includes a group research project and written and oral dental related reports. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT176 Program Clinic Practicum III 2 Credits Search Schedule

Provides students hands-on learning through the program's Campus Dental Clinic to work on supportive services that may be performed by registered dental assistants in Washington State while assisting dentists in the delivery of dental services to patients from the community at large. Students are also assigned to visitations in local dental offices to observe the delivery of dental services in different settings. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

Summer

DENT180 Externship Practicum 8 Credits Search Schedule

Provides students hands-on learning through externship sites to work on supportive services that may be performed by registered dental assistants in Washington State while assisting dentists in the delivery of dental services to patients. 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 under the supervision of the clinic staff and dentist. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT181 Advanced Theory 2 Credits Search Schedule

Prepares the student 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 2019-2020

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

Closed July 2 & 3:

Dental Assisting 2019-2020