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Program Map

Dental Assistant

Certificate of Completion

About the Program

This four-term certificate program prepares students to meet the requirements to become dental assistants with expanded functions (EFDA). Successful completion of the program leads to eligibility to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board's (DANB).  The curriculum is based in general dentistry; students are trained in four-handed chair-side assisting techniques to work with general dentists during all phases of patient examination and treatment.

Program students attend classes as part of a structured cohort that begins each year in summer term. Students should apply early as the required mandatory information session is scheduled several months prior to the summer start. Note: Students may still be working on prerequisites to cohort acceptance classes when applying.

Program Learning Outcomes

The curriculum in RCC courses is derived from a set of identified learning outcomes that are relevant to the discipline. Program learning outcomes for the Dental Assistant Certificate of Completion are:

• Demonstrate patient education and administrative office skills.
• Demonstrate occupational safety skills.
• Demonstrate general chair-side and laboratory sciences skills.
• Develop fluency and competency dealing with legal and ethical issues.
• Evaluate radiographic proficiencies.
  

Entry Requirements

Students are required to complete the Placement Process to determine skill level and readiness in math, reading, and writing. As part of their training program, students must begin with the courses within their skill level as determined through the Placement Process.

This is a limited-entry program. Cohort students must meet certain minimum academic requirements (MTH20, and RD90/WR90 or WR91) before the program application due date. All listed program prerequisites must be satisfactorily completed before beginning the cohort.

Selection Process

All applications will be date stamped and reviewed in the order received. Applicants will be selected by committee. The screening process includes a mandatory information session and an interview. A criminal background check and drug screening will be required for all students. This is a competitive program and not all qualified applicants may be accepted.

Advanced Standing

Coursework from accredited colleges and universities will be accepted in accordance with college policies and the program coordinator’s recommendation. In order to ensure coursework is current, program courses over five years old must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate department coordinator before being accepted toward core requirements. College Now credit will be accepted in accordance with the current agreement.

Graduation Requirements

Students completing all courses in this program with a grade of “C” or better will receive their certificates. Certain required courses are graded on a pass/no pass basis only. A grade of “P” for these courses indicates a student earned the equivalent of a “C” or better grade. Credits earned in this program can be applied to the Associate of General Studies degree.

Where zero credits are listed in the prerequisites, students may place into a higher-level(s) based on designated placement score(s). Note, some prerequisites may be required for graduation. Please consult an advisor with any program completion questions.

¹ Students who have successfully completed the 3-credit version of BT113 will have met the composition requirement.

² Approved Computer Information Science or Computer Science course, CIS120/CS120 or above, or documented computer proficiency within the past ten years.

³ Approved program electives are optional.

For more information, contact the Allied Health Occupations Department.

Phone: 541-956-7500
Email: [email protected]
Web address: www.roguecc.edu/alliedhealth/dental
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