Dental Assisting (RDA, CDA)

Summary

The Dental Assisting Associate of Science degree prepares students for employment to work as a Dental Assistant as well as prepare students for their state and national boards. Training includes basic and advanced chairside dental supportive procedures; infection control protocol including sterilization of instruments; preparation and manipulation of a variety of dental materials; knowledge of correct operation of dental x-ray equipment including exposing, processing, and mounting dental radiographs; coronal polishing; pit and fissure sealants; clinical competency on dental patients; skills in written and verbal communications in the dental setting; California Dental Practice Act; dental business administration software and responsibilities; and knowledge in all dental specialties. Students must complete Directed Clinical Practice that allows them to advance their clinical skills.

Award Note: The Associate Degree requires a minimum of 60 degree applicable semester units.

Learning Outcome(s): Students who complete the Dental Assisting (RDA, CDA) Program will be able to:

1. Obtain licensure and certifications applicable to dental assisting.
2. Perform skills and apply knowledge of dental assisting to work as a chairside assistant and administrative assistant.
3. Conduct themselves as legal and ethical dental professionals within the scope of practice for dental assistants.
4. Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, as appropriate for a dental healthcare worker.
5. Promote positive change in the community through volunteering.

Accreditation

The San Diego Mesa Dental Assisting Program uses state-of-the-art dental equipment, hardware, and software to maintain relevance for dental assisting students and to be competitive with the other dental assisting schools. The dental field is changing rapidly in regards to new technology, equipment and allowable duties. Students interested in the administrative side of dentistry and office duties should review information under the Dental Office Administration Certificate of Achievement.

The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Dental Board of California and the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Upon completion of the program, the student is awarded a Certificate of Achievement from the college and may complete an Associate degree with additional general education coursework. Students also receive a Radiation Safety Certificate to operate dental x-ray equipment in the State of California. At the completion of the program, students earn proof of completion in Coronal Polishing, Dental Sealants, Infection Control, and the California Dental Practice Act. Graduates are eligible to take the California Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) State Board and the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) National Written Examination.

Directed Clinical Practice Requirement

Students accepted into the Dental Assisting program will be required to successfully complete DCP, clinically-based courses held in health care facilities. These facilities may require background checks, including fingerprinting and drug screening, as a condition of placement at the clinic.

Refusal to submit to a background check, or failure to meet clearance criteria established by the health care facility, may prevent placement in the DCP courses and thus, it may not be possible to successfully complete the program.

Health care facilities also require adherence to strict standards of conduct. Facilities may refuse educational access to any person who does not adhere to the facility’s standards of safety, health and ethical behavior. This may be cause of removal from the program.

Admission Criteria

Students must maintain a grade of "C" (75%) or higher in all courses to continue in the program. Course repetition in this program is not permitted. This program is governed by the Allied Health Department Policies.

Eligibility for enrollment in this program is determined by a special admissions process. Interested persons should review program information on the website.

Requirements