Dental Assisting - Associate in Applied Science
Dental Assisting educates students in all phases of dental assisting, including expanded functions and passing the National Board Exam for Certification. The program is designed to be completed in five quarters (summer through the following summer) by full-time students.

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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.
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
The program is designed to be completed in five quarters (summer through the following summer) by full-time students.
Tuition and Fees
UNIFORMS: Information on uniforms will be provided during advising and registration to those accepted into the Dental Assisting Program.
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 |
Basic Life Support (CPR) training |
$100.00 |
Textbooks and supplies |
$300.00 |
Dental instruments and supplies |
$1,000.00 |
Lab fee |
$200.00 |
Typodont model |
$175.00 |
National Board exam |
$524.00 |
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
- Prospective students must have a high school diploma, its equivalent, or a post-secondary degree to be eligible for the program.
- Prospective students may need to complete basic skills and/or pre-college English and math prior to being eligible for the program prerequisites. Proficiency may be demonstrated through placement testing or by receiving a placement test waiver based on previous college credits in English and math. Contact Enrollment Services at (360) 596-5241 for instructions on taking the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) or to request a test waiver.
- The following program prerequisites must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better in order to be eligible for admission to the program:
- MATH 101 Technical Mathematics I (or math from the General Education AAS requirements)
- ENGL& 101 English Composition I (or ENGL& 102 Composition II)
- MED 103 Medical Terminology I
- The following program requirements must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better in order to be eligible for an AAS in Dental Assisting. It is recommended but not required that these requirements be completed prior to starting the core program:
- Five credits of additional communication from the General Education AAS requirements
- Five credits from the Human Relations General Education AAS requirements
- Diversity requirement
- Prospective students must attend the invitation-only Dental Assisting Orientation held on Advising Day during the spring quarter. Additional information about the orientation will be provided to applicants by the end of April.
- Courses coded DENT must be taken in succession. All DENT courses must be completed with a "C" or better to continue in and complete the program.
Program Advising: It is recommended that students eligible for college-level English and math schedule an appointment with a dental program faculty advisor. It is recommended that students still needing to complete pre-college English or math schedule an appointment with an Ed Planner.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
- Admission to the college: First, apply for admission to the college using a general application here: https://spscc.edu/apply. A new general application for admission to the college need not be submitted if you are a current student at South Puget Sound Community College.
- SPSCC email account: Second, either activate or reactivate your student email address if it is not currently active.
- Admission to the program: Third, apply for admission to the Dental Assisting Program using the special admission application here: https://spscc.edu/admissions/dental. The Dental Assisting Program will be accepting special admission applications beginning on the first business day in March. Those completed applications received by the last 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 for special admission and fee are required for entry into the Dental Assisting Program even if you are already attending the college for other courses or programs.
- Incomplete or late applications: Incomplete applications with prerequisites or high school diplomas scheduled to be completed after the last business day in April will be considered on a case-by-case basis once the prerequisites are successfully completed and/or high school diploma is received and if space is available in the program. Transcripts must be received by the date indicated within the application for the specified application year. Unofficial transcripts may be used for incomplete or late applications with the understanding that the official transcript will be received no later than the end of the first week in August.
- Application ranking: 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.
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 and 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 fall 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.
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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
- Maintain safe environments in the dental setting by following state and federal standards, professional and ethical standards, and using effective communication
- Measure, record, interpret, and report data in both clinical and office settings
- Engage in processes that support continual improvement
CCS101
Pathways to Success
3 Credits Search Schedule
Cultivates the mind-set and skills necessary for students to become confident, reflective, self-directing, and successful learners. Prerequisite: Eligible for ENGL 090 or higher.
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
MATH101
Technical Mathematics I
5 Credits Search Schedule
Covers the theories and applications of mathematics used in technical fields with emphasis on problem solving strategies, measurement, algebra, geometry, unit conversions and the metric system. Prerequisite: Eligible for MATH 092.
Distribution: AAS, AAS-COMPUTATION
(or Choose from General Education-AAS list)
MED103
Medical Terminology I
3 Credits Search Schedule
Explores medical terminology by combining word roots, suffixes, and prefixes. Emphasizes definitions, pronunciation, spelling, and usage in a variety of health care professions. Prerequisite: None.
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.
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.
DENT153
Dental Science I
2 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
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.
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.
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.
DENT170
Radiography 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.
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.
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.
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
Additional Communication:
Human Relations
(must satisfy diversity requirement)
Effective Catalog Year 2020-2021
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