Dental Assisting Certificate Program
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This program is designed for individuals who are interested in becoming members of the dental health care delivery system. The curriculum is designed to provide a broad educational experience in the theory and practice of dental assisting, as well as a background in biological sciences and the humanities.
The dental assisting student will be educated in four-handed dentistry and in duties which may be delegated to dental assistants, including dental radiography, oral health education and business office responsibilities. Students gain practical experience through clinical and laboratory sessions and through extramural assignments in general and specialty dental practices, community and hospital dental clinics and dental laboratories.
The courses of study are particularly suited to those who leave a sincere interest in science and enjoy working with people. The curriculum includes content in five areas: liberal studies, biomedical sciences, dental sciences, clinical sciences and clinical practice. The program emphasizes the knowledge and skills necessary for chairside dental assisting, but also prepares students to perform clinical support services, selected laboratory procedures and basic business office procedures.
The Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.
It is a goal of the Dental Assisting Program to provide a broad educational experience, encompassing didactic and clinical phases, for dental assistants to become competent in all functions that are currently identified in the Accreditation Standards for Dental Assisting. Also, the Dental Assisting Program will provide educational experience (which includes didactic and clinical phases) for dental assistants to become laboratory competent in the following functions as identified in the Maine Dental Practice Act:
- perform dietary analysis for dental disease control;
- recement temporary crowns with temporary cement;
- remove gingival retraction cord;
- select and try in stainless steel or other preformed crowns;
- irrigate and dry root canals;
- remove sutures;
- remove orthodontic arch wires and tension devices and any loose bands bonds;
- lace wires, pins and elastic ligatures;
- perform preliminary selection and fitting of orthodontic bands;
- remove excess cement from supragingival surfaces of teeth;
- take intra-oral measurements and make preliminary selection of arch wires and intra- and extra-oral appliances, including head gear;
- place elastics and/or instruct in their use;
- reapply on an emergency basis only, orthodontic brackets;
- place temporary fillings
ADMISSION:
To be eligible for admission, the applicants must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Applicants are required to have taken one year of a laboratory science, preferably biology or chemistry and have satisfactorily completed courses in mathematics. Students accepted for admission are further required to have a complete physical examination within three months prior to entering the program. In addition, students must begin the Hepatitis B vaccination series at least two months prior to beginning the first semester. Students must be immunized against tetanus within the last ten years, have selected titres before beginning clinical courses in September, and be currently certified in healthcare provider cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or equivalent. It is solely the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the completed application and related materials (such as high school transcripts, test scores, any transcripts of grades beyond high school, recommendations, etc.) are received by the Office of Admissions. Early application is encouraged because class size in limited.
FEES:
Each dental assisting student purchases a laboratory coat, clinical uniforms, and clinical supplies. Transportation costs to clinical assignments are the student's responsibility, as are certification examination fees. The estimated cost for books and supplies, beyond tuition, room and board, is approximately $1,500. These fees are subject to change without notice.
ACADEMIC PROGRESS:
Students enrolled in the Dental Assisting Program must earn a grade of "C" or better in all dental assisting courses. Students who receive a "D" or less in a dental assisting course must repeat the course. Failure to do so will result in denial of graduation.
To be eligible for graduation, the student must have successfully completed all requirements, have a minimum of 42 credit hours, and a grade point average of at least 2.00. Professional conduct and attitude are expected at all times.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon graduation students will be eligible to take the Certification Examination in General Chairside Assisting and Radiation Health and Safety administered by the Dental Assisting National Board. Successful completion of the examination carries with it the credential of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and qualifies the candidate for licensure in dental radiography from the Maine Board of Dental Examiners.
PRE-DENTAL ASSISTING:
A concentration exists for those students who need to complete admission requirements or developmental coursework in order to become admission eligible to the Dental Assisting Program. Students in the Pre-Dental Assisting concentration will be assigned a faculty advisor within the Dental Assisting Program who will guide them regarding specific requirements for transfer eligibility. Students must successfully complete all specified requirements in order to be considered for transfer into the Dental Assisting Program. Enrollment in the Pre-Dental Assisting Program does not guarantee admission to the Certificate in Dental Assisting Program.
Certificate in Dental Assisting Sample Curriculum
FIRST YEAR
| First Semester | Second Semester | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Course | Hours | Course | Hours |
| BIO100 Human Biology | 4 | DEA150 Clinical Practice II | 6 |
| DEH100 Introduction to the Dental Health Professions | 1 | DEA151 Chairside Dental Assisting II | 3 |
| DEA101 Chairside Dental Assisting I | 4 | DEA152 Dental Office Management | 3 |
| DEA102 Biodental Sciences I | 3 | DEA153 Dental Health Education | 2 |
| DEH203 Dental Radiology | 3 | DEA154 Biodental Sciences II | 3 |
| DEH213 Dental Materials | 2 | PSY100 Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| DEH217 Dental Materials Lab | 2 | COM101 Public Speaking OR COM102 Interpersonal Communications | 3 |
| TOTAL HOURS | 19 | TOTAL HOURS | 23 |
TOTAL HOURS FOR TWO SEMESTERS: 42