Dental Assisting - Registered, Associate in Science Degree
Banner Code: 1_AS_DENA
Control Number: 04006
Financial Aid Eligible
Dental assisting is a challenging field requiring skills in chairside assisting, dental radiology, preventive therapy, patient management, receptionist duties, expanded functions and office management.
Qualified dental assistants find employment opportunities in a variety of settings such as private dental offices, specialty practices,federal or state dental programs and dental schools.
The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Dental Board of California, 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1550, Sacramento, CA 95815.
RDA functions are taught to laboratory competency and clinical competency where applicable. A list of laboratory and clinical competencies is available upon request.
Students must complete all required courses with a grade of “C” or better.
Program application process is accomplished by online application through the college. Although applications are accepted throughout the year, the Dental Assisting Registered program starts only in the fall semester of every school year.
This program is a sequential program. All fall semester courses must be taken concurrently in the fall semester. All spring semester courses must be taken concurrently in the spring semester.
Complete the Certificate of Achievement and Associate in Science Graduation Requirements as outlined in the Graduation Requirements section of the catalog.
Program Outcome
The outcome of the program is to meet the needs of the local health care community by preparing students for employment as a professional and competent registered dental assistant.
Review Graduation Requirements and General Education.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Prerequisites | ||
| ALH A010 | Health Occupations | 0.5 |
| or ALH A012 | Health Occupations for Dental and Medical Assisting | |
| Required Courses | ||
| DA A100 | Dental Anatomy | 2 |
| DA A101 | Patient Care for Dental Assistants | 2 |
| DA A110 | Chairside Techniques 1 | 3 |
| DA A115 | Chairside Techniques 2 | 2 |
| DA A120 | Dental Materials | 2.5 |
| DA A125 | Expanded Functions | 2 |
| DA A130 | Preventive and Community Dentistry | 1 |
| DA A140 | Dental Radiography 1 | 3 |
| DA A145 | Specialized Practices | 2 |
| DA A150 | Biomedical Sciences | 2 |
| DA A160 | Clinical Experience 1 | 1 |
| DA A163 | Clinical Experience 2 | 1 |
| DA A165 | Clinical Experience 3 | 3 |
| DA A168 | Clinical Experience 4 | 1 |
| DA A175 | Principles of Business and Practice Management | 1.5 |
| Total Major Units | 29.5 | |
| OCC AS General Education 1,2 | up to 21 | |
| Transferable electives as needed to satisfy unit requirements | varies | |
| Total Minimum Degree Units - OCC AS GE | 60 | |
Dental Assisting — Registered Suggested Electives
CIS A100 Introduction to Computer Applications
CMST A100 Interpersonal Communication
COMM C1000 (COMM A110) Introduction to Public Speaking
COUN A105 Strategies for College Success
ENGL C1000 (ENGL A100) Academic Reading and Writing
PHIL A120 Ethics
PSYC C1000 (PSYC A100) Introduction to Psychology
Program approved by the American Dental Association. Graduates are eligible to take the California Registered Dental Assistant Exam upon program completion and qualify for their State radiation license and coronal polishing, pit and fissure sealant and ultrasonic scaling for cement removal certificates.
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Some program major units may also meet GE requirements.
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Cal-GETC pattern (up to 34 units) may be substituted.
Program Sequence
These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Units | |
| ALH A010 or ALH A012 |
Health Occupations or Health Occupations for Dental and Medical Assisting |
0.5 |
| OCC AS GE AREA 1A- CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| OCC AS GE AREA 2 - CHOOSE ONE | 3-4 | |
| OCC AS GE AREA 3 - CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| OCC AS GE AREA 4 - CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 1 | 3 | |
| Units | 15.5-16.5 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| OCC AS GE AREA 1B - CHOOSE ONE | 3-4 | |
| OCC AS GE AREA 5 - CHOOSE ONE | 3-4 | |
| OCC AS GE AREA 6 - CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 1 | 6.5 | |
| Units | 15.5-17.5 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Acceptance into the OCC Dental Assisting Program Required (Cohort Restriction) | ||
| DA A100 | Dental Anatomy | 2 |
| DA A101 | Patient Care for Dental Assistants | 2 |
| DA A110 | Chairside Techniques 1 | 3 |
| DA A120 | Dental Materials | 2.5 |
| DA A130 | Preventive and Community Dentistry | 1 |
| DA A140 | Dental Radiography 1 | 3 |
| DA A160 | Clinical Experience 1 | 1 |
| Units | 14.5 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| DA A115 | Chairside Techniques 2 | 2 |
| DA A125 | Expanded Functions | 2 |
| DA A145 | Specialized Practices | 2 |
| DA A150 | Biomedical Sciences | 2 |
| DA A163 | Clinical Experience 2 | 1 |
| DA A165 | Clinical Experience 3 | 3 |
| DA A168 | Clinical Experience 4 | 1 |
| DA A175 | Principles of Business and Practice Management | 1.5 |
| Units | 14.5 | |
| Total Units | 60-63 | |
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VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS