Academic Catalogs

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, which includes manual dexterity, 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 approved 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 are available upon request.

Program application process is accomplished by taking program prerequisite, Allied Health A010 or Allied Health A012. This short-term course is mandatory for all prospective program applicants. See current class schedule for specific course meeting times. 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 Dental Assisting - Registered Certificate of Achievement and the 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 A010Health Occupations0.5
or ALH A012 Health Occupations for Dental and Medical Assisting
ALH A111Medical Terminology3
Required Courses
DA A100Dental Anatomy2
DA A101Patient Care for Dental Assistants2
DA A110Chairside Techniques 13
DA A115Chairside Techniques 22
DA A120Dental Materials3
DA A125Expanded Functions2
DA A130Preventive and Community Dentistry1
DA A140Dental Radiography 13
DA A145Specialized Practices2
DA A150Biomedical Sciences2
DA A163Clinical Experience 21
DA A160Clinical Experience 11
DA A165Clinical Experience 32.5
DA A168Clinical Experience 41
DA A175Principles of Business and Practice Management1.5
Total Units32.5

Dental Assisting — Registered Suggested Electives

CIS A100 Introduction to Computer Applications
CMST A100 Interpersonal Communication
CMST A110 Public Speaking
COUN A105 Strategies for College Success
ENGL A100 Freshman Composition
PHIL A120 Ethics
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.

Requirement Units
Program Major Units 32.5
AS General Education Option 1, 2, or 3 Varies
Transferable electives to satisfy unit requirement Varies
Total Minimum Degree Units 60

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.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
ALH A010
or ALH A012
 Health Occupations
or Health Occupations for Dental and Medical Assisting
 0.5
ALH A111 Medical Terminology 3
Select one of the following or satisfy Math competency (completion of High School Algebra 2 with a "C" or better): 3-4
MATH A030
or MATH A045
 Intermediate Algebra (or higher) 1
or Combined Elementary and Intermediate Algebra
OCC AS GE AREA A1 - CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AS GE AREA C1 - CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AS GE AREA D - CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units15.5-16.5
Semester 2
OCC AS GE AREA A2 - CHOOSE ONE 2 3-4
OCC AS GE AREA B - CHOOSE ONE 3-4
OCC AS GE AREA C2 - CHOOSE ONE 3
ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3 7
 Units16-18
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 3
DA A130 Preventive and Community Dentistry 1
DA A140 Dental Radiography 1 3
DA A160 Clinical Experience 1 1
 Units15
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 2.5
DA A168 Clinical Experience 4 1
DA A175 Principles of Business and Practice Management 1.5
 Units14
 Total Units60.5-63.5
1

Highly recommended for Allied Health programs, some state licenses will require Algebra 2 or higher-level math to be completed at the college level. If MATH 100+ level or above (any math, except MATH A220) is taken, then it also meets OCC AS GE AREA A2.

2

OCC AS GE AREA A2 - Required if 100-level MATH was not taken to meet Math competency. If MATH A100 or higher was not taken, then needs to take 3-4 degree applicable elective units 

3

VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS