Dental Assisting

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 28.5 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 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. Completion of HLTED 9 (2 units), First Aid and Safety; and HLTED 11, CPR (.5 units); OR possession of current cards 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.