Associate Science in Dental Assisting
College of Alameda
Key Information
Campus location
Alameda, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
5 semesters
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 7,120 / per semester *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Aug 2024
* this is for a standard 15 credit semester including fees / price may vary depending on how many credits are taken
Introduction
College of Alameda’s Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education. Our program consists of two consecutive semesters (Fall and Spring) of full-time study and will prepare you to obtain your RDA (Registered Dental Assistant) and CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) licensing.
What you will learn
Dental assisting courses address the issues of patient dental care and oral health. The program includes California dental law, ethics, professionalism, infection control, head and neck anatomy, dental radiology, dental materials, and chair-side skills. Fall semester courses introduce basic theory and chair-side skills, leading to more advanced studies during the spring semester, which includes internships and advanced use of technology within dentistry.
From our courses you will learn to:
- Develop critical thinking skills required to work in a dental setting.
- Work successfully as a member of the dental team, working closely with the dentist and dental hygienist in a variety of dental settings.
- Provide comprehensive dental assisting care to individuals from diverse socioeconomic, educational, and or cultural backgrounds.
- Assume, if necessary, primary responsibility for the running of the back office, front office, insurance, and/or financial aspects of the dental practice.
- Assume responsibility for prevention of disease transmission in the work environment, and understand the importance of radiation safety.
- Perform the dental assisting functions that are legally allowed in a safe and ethical manner.
- Demonstrate professionalism, honesty and integrity, and a sense of responsibility for your ability to care for others and the community that you will serve.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships provide students with opportunities to attend college, advance their knowledge and skills for career readiness and help them prepare for both academic opportunities and financial challenges after transfer. This website provides information and resources to assist students in how to begin their search for scholarship opportunities. Note that requirements and deadlines vary among every scholarship.
College of Alameda Promise
The College of Alameda (COA) Promise is a pathway for Alameda high school graduates to access a quality college education. Eligible students will receive a year of college without fees.
Peralta Foundation Scholarships
Each semester, the Peralta Colleges Foundation is committed to providing students with access to post-secondary education and persistence services so they can complete college prepared for a successful career. The Peralta Promise enables qualifying students to attend their first semester at one of the Peralta Colleges – Laney College, Merritt College, College of Alameda, or Berkeley City College – for free!
External Scholarships
Here is a list of general scholarships that are available for community college students. Not every scholarship has a citizenship requirement. Review the following scholarships for your eligibility.
Curriculum
Program Requirements
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 lectures and laboratory practice in the classroom. Clinical experience is required in the dental clinics of the University of California in San Francisco, as well as in private dental offices.
Students completing all required courses with a minimum grade point average of 75% (“C”) 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 dentistry. The program requires 32-semester units in Dental Assisting, plus 9-semester units in other general education required courses totaling 41 units.
Fall Semester
- DENTL 220A 2 units – Infection Control and Oral Health
- DENTL 220B 1 unit – Infection Control and Coronal Polish
- DENTL 221 .5 units – Professional Standards
- DENTL 222 3.5 units – Oral Anatomy, Morphology, and Body Systems
- DENTL 223 3 units – Chairside Procedures
- DENTL 224A 3 units – Dental Radiology I
- DENTL 225 3 units – Dental Materials and Lab Procedures
Spring Semester
- DENTL 224B 2 units – Dental Radiology II
- DENTL 226 3 units – Advanced Chairside Procedures
- DENTL 227 2 units – Bio-dental Sciences
- DENTL 228A 2 units – Clinical Rotations and Review
- DENTL 228B 5 units – Clinical Rotations and Review
- DENTL 229 1.5 units – Practice Management
- DENTL 230 .5 units – Pit and Fissure Sealants
Highly Recommended Courses (Summer Courses)
- DENTL 251 1 unit – Dental Terminology
- DENTL 252 1 unit – Overview of the Dental Assisting Program
Career Opportunities
What Can I Do With a Career in Dental Assisting?
Graduates of our program go on to fill a variety of roles in and outside of the dental profession.
These include:
- Registered dental assistant
- Certified dental assistant
- Registered dental assistant with extended functions
- Oral surgery assistant
- Certified orthodontic assistant
- Office manager
- Front office administrator
- Insurance biller
- Lab Technician