# Dental Assisting (A.S. Degree)

College of Alameda · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Dental Assisting

Source: https://coa.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/47221/47359/47305/47427/47430

The Dental Assisting Program is designed to meet the requirements of the American Dental Association Council on Dental Education for Dental Assistants. The program includes lecture and laboratory practice in the classroom. As part of their field experience, students are required to participate in internships in private offices and at the UCSF Dental School.

The program requires 32 semester units in Dental Assisting, plus 9 semester units in other general education required courses; for a total of 41 units. Students completing all required courses with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (“C”) will earn a Certificate of Achievement and be qualified to take the Certification Examination of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and the State of California RDA examinations; and will be prepared to assume the responsibilities of assisting the dentist in all phases of general and specialty practice.

The **AS degree in Dental Assisting** will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the Major Course Requirements and the General Education requirements. A **Certificate of Achievement** will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the Major Course Requirements.

**Career Opportunities**

This full-time curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of the American Dental Association Council on Dental Education for Dental Assistants. The program includes lecture and laboratory practice in the classroom. Clinical experience is required in the dental clinics of the University of California and the University of Pacific Dental Schools in San Francisco, as well as in private dental offices. Students completing all required courses with a minimum grade of 75% = C or better grade will earn a Certificate of Achievement and be qualified to take the Certification Examination of the DANB, the State of California RDA examinations, and will be prepared to assume the responsibilities of assisting the dentist in all phases of general practice. The program requires 32 semester units in Dental Assisting, plus 9 semester units in other general education required courses.

Admission is by special application directly to the Dental Assisting Department. The application deadline is April 15 of each year for admission into the program starting the following fall semester. The Dental Assisting Program is allowed to take up to 24 students each fall semester per CODA regulations. All completed applications will be placed in a lottery after the applicant has attended the first mandatory orientation. After the first 24 eligible applicants have been selected, all other applicants will be placed on a wait-list and informed in writing of any openings. Applicants will be notified by mail and email of acceptance into the Dental Assisting program. Applications received after April 15 will be accepted only on a space-available basis.

**Eligibility/Admission/Prerequisite and Degree/Certificate Requirements are as follows:**

1\. Completion of all Dental Assisting courses with a grade of 2.0 (“C”) or better.

2\. Possession of a high school diploma or the equivalent is required prior to application to and admission into the program.

3\. Official transcripts must be on file in the Admissions and Records Office prior to program application.

4\.  HLTED 11, CPR (.5 units); OR possession of acurrent  BLS/CPR  card from an approved provider are required prior to enrollment in the program.

5\. Physical and dental examinations, and negative TB and hepatitis test results are required to be submitted to the Dental Assisting Department prior to enrollment in the program.

6\. It is highly recommended (but not required) that the following be completed prior to admission into the program and enrollment in Fall term courses: DENTL 251, Dental Terminology and CIS 205, Computer Literacy.

Career Opportunities

Students in this major typically are employed as dental assistants in private dental offices.

Learning Outcome(s)

1.  Differentiate and evaluate specialty procedures within each of the dental specialties.
2.  Communicate verbally using acceptable dental terminology in regards to interpersonal skills and concerns for the patients’ welfare.
3.  Recognize, support and facilitate the importance of HIPPA laws.
4.  Demonstrate acceptable dental office procedures

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Prerequisite Requirements: Completion of BLS/CPR for Heathcare providers.** | |  |
| **Degree Major Requirements: 32 units** | | 0 |
| DENTL 220A | Infection Control and Oral Health | 2 |
| DENTL 220B | Infection Control and Coronal Polish | 1 |
| DENTL 221 | Professional Standards | 0.5 |
| DENTL 222 | Oral Anatomy, Morphology and Body Systems | 3.5 |
| DENTL 223 | Chairside Procedures | 3 |
| DENTL 224A | Dental Radiology | 3 |
| DENTL 225 | Dental Materials and Lab Procedures | 3 |
| DENTL 224B | Dental Radiology II | 2 |
| DENTL 226 | Advanced Chairside Procedures | 3 |
| DENTL 227 | Biodental Sciences | 2 |
| DENTL 228A | Clinical Rotations and Review | 2 |
| DENTL 228B | Clinical Rotation Externship | 6 |
| DENTL 229 | Practice Management | 1.5 |
| DENTL 230 | Pit and Fissure Sealants | 0.5 |
| **Courses outside discipline; also required for the Major/Certificate of Achievement (9 units)** | | 0 |
| ENGL 201B | Preparation for Composition and Reading | 3 |
| PSYCH 001A | Introduction to General Psychology | 3 |
| COMM 1A | Introduction to Speech | 3 |
| or COMM 020 | Interpersonal Communication Skills | 3 |
| or COMM 045 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| **Major Requirement - 41 units** | | 0 |
| **Major Requirement - 41 units** | | 41 |
| **General Education and Electives - 19 units** | | 0 |
| **General Education and Electives - 19 units** | | 19 |
| **Total units for A.S. Degree** | | 60 |