Catalog Description of Program

Dental Assisting is a challenging field requiring skills in chair side assisting, dental radiology, preventive therapy, patient management, receptionist duties, expanded functions and office management.  Qualified dental assistants find employment opportunities in a variety of settings such as private dental offices, specialty practices, federal or state dental programs and dental schools.  The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of approval.  The commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.  The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted as 312-440-4653 or at 211 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago IL 60611.  The program is also accredited by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Dental Examiners, Committee on Dental Auxiliaries, 1426 Howe Ave, Ste 50, Sacramento, CA 95825-3222.  Registered Dental Assistant functions are taught to laboratory competency and clinical competency where applicable.  A list of laboratory and clinical competencies is available on request.  High School diploma or equivalency is required for program entry as mandated by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association.  Students must complete all required courses with a grade of “C” or better.  This program is a sequential program.  All fall semester courses must be taken concurrently in the fall semester.  All spring semester courses must be taken concurrently in the spring semester.

Program goal

The overall goal of the program is to prepare students for careers as Registered/Certified Dental Assistants by providing the necessary knowledge, skills, and aptitudes through didactic, laboratory, and clinical experience.

Program objectives

The student will be:

          —  Eligible to take the Registered/Certified Dental Assistant examination.

          —  Function efficiently and successfully in all areas of dental assisting.

          —  Prepared to take the Radiation Safety exam and complete the clinical requirements necessary to receive a Radiation Safety Certificate.

          —  Prepared to take the Coronal Polishing and Pit & Fissure exams and complete clinical requirements.

          —  Conform to all Cal-DOSH and Dental Board Infection Control guidelines as defined by the State Dental Practice Act.

          —  Participate in the dental assisting organization, thereby contributing to the growth and development of the dental assisting profession.

Description of job for which program prepares student

Dental Assisting is a challenging field requiring skills in chair side assisting, dental radiology, preventive therapy, patient management, receptionist duties, expanded functions and office management.

Recommended (not required) program preparation

          q Allied Health 010 – Health Occupations 
 

Associate of Science Degree and Certificate

Dental Assisting offers a certificate of acheivement and an Associate of Science degree. AS degree not manditory.

Length of program

Two semesters and one intersession.

Does this program transfer?

Some units are transferable to Dental Hygiene Programs and may also transfer for an advanced degree in allied health programs at California State Universities.

Procedure for program admittance

Students can obtain an application to the Dental Assisting program through the Dental Assisting Office (Bldg D - 104, 714-432-5565 or may contact the Consumer and Health Sciences Division office 714-432-5702). For admission to Orange Coast College contact 714-432-5735.

Program start

Fall semester every year.

Employment possibilities upon program completion

Private dental offices, specialty practices, federal or state dental programs, dental schools, Health Maintenance Organizations, dental office managers, dental receptionists, dental insurance clerk, and sales representatives.  There is a high demand for dental assistants and registered dental assistants (RDA) in Orange County, all of California, and nationwide.  This trend is predicted for the next decade.

Salary

Starting salary range (without RDA license): $15-$20/hour.  Excellent benefits and working conditions.

Spaces available

32
 

Employment prospects

Excellent.  There is a shortage of RDA’s in Orange County, California, and the United States. This trend is expected to continue well into the 2000’s.

Licenses obtained from program.

          1.  State Radiation x-ray license

          2.  Coronal polishing license

          3.  CPR certificate

          4. Student will be eligible to take the Registered Dental Assisting examination and the National Certification examination upon completion of the program.

            5. Pit and Fissure Sealant Certificate
            6. Ultrasonic Scaler for Cement Removal Certificate
 

Accreditation of program

By the Commission on Dental Accreditation 312-440-2719, address 211 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 and California State Board of Dental Examiners, Commission on Dental Auxiliaries.  Students are eligible to take the National Certification Exam and State Licensing Examination for Registered Dental Assistants.

Background checks

All students will be required to submit an application for pre-clinical background check.  The background check will include Social Security number, address verification, a two-county felony criminal history, a State sex offender search, and a Medicare/Medicare Sanctioned Fraud List verification (OIG/GSA) search.  The background checks will be performed by a service provided by the District and must be completed prior to beginning of the first clinical rotation.  The student understands that the results of background checks must be provided to the clinical sites before patient care or clinical work commences.

Clinical requirements

The program requires that students participate in scheduled course clinical experience concurrent with classroom courses. Clinical assignments provide students with hands-on application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory courses at OCC contracted hospitals, medical centers, and/or outpatient facilities.  It is the responsibility of each student to provide his or her own transportation to assigned clinical sites.

Just prior to entry into clinical, students are required to complete/obtain:

          q  A physical examination

          q  Criminal background check clearance

          q  CPR, HIPAA training, Blood borne pathogen training

          q  Student liability insurance

Students must adhere to appropriate required dress code which may include a laboratory coat, nametag, and other program specific requirements.

Clinical sites may require drug testing or other blood work.  There may be exposure to hazardous materials or pathogens in the clinical setting.  Students will adhere to all safety and precautionary measures.  The student receives no financial compensation for clinical experience, but does receive course units as a required class in the program.

Other

Dental Assisting classes must be taken and completed in the appropriate sequence.

Joy Myers, Program Coordinator                         Dan Adelmann, Allied Hlth

Office: Bldg D 104a                                         Office: C&L 114 B

714-432-5565                                                714-432-5541
                                                                   Appts:714-432-5702

Allied Health Program Assistant, Jane McLaughlin: 714-432-5729