Workforce Certificate

Dental Assisting (5649)

This is a limited access program. Dental assistants are versatile members of the dental health team who work alongside the dentist. In many states, dental assistants are assigned patient care responsibilities beyond the duties traditionally performed by the dental auxiliary.

This program provides students with the theoretical, practical and clinical skills including dental basic sciences, dental radiographic techniques, dental materials, sterilization and disease control, chairside assisting, office management, dental specialties and expanded duties. One class is admitted each August.

Expected Job Growth and Earnings
The demand for dental assistants is expected to grow much faster than average through the 2012. In fact, dental assisting is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations in the next eight years. Nationally, median earnings for dental assistants was $13/hour in 2002.

Certification and Licensing
The Dental Assisting program prepares students for certification in expanded duties and dental radiology.

Accreditation
The Dental Assisting program has been approved by the Florida Board of Dentistry.

Application Procedure
Submit the following:

1. Official high school transcript or GED® test scores
2. Scores for the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) with a minimum of 10 in reading, mathematics and language
3. Completed application form for the dental assisting program

Cost
Estimated tuition is $2,240 (for Florida residents as of 7/05). Contact program manager for additional costs (materials, fees, textbooks).

Curriculum

Professional Courses		Contact Hours	Workforce Credits
*VPI 0100	Basic Reading Skills
*VPI 0200	Basic Mathematical Skills
*VPI 0300	Basic Language Skills
DEA 0745	Radiology I	80	2.5
DEA 0022	Introduction to Microbiology	32	1.0
DEA 0746	Pharmacology and Dental Office Emergencies	32	1.0
DES 0103	Dental Materials	64	2.0
DES 0020	Dental and Head/Neck Anatomy	48	1.5
DEA 0023	Preclinical Procedures	112	3.5
DEA 0001	Clinical Practice I	48	1.5
HCP 0001	Health Careers Core	90	3.0
DEA 0211	Radiology II	64	2.0
DES 0044	Oral Pathology	32	1.0
DEA 0301	Dental Nutrition	16	0.5
DEA 0311	Dental Health Education	32	1.0
DEA 0801	Expanded Duties	80	2.5
DES 0501	Practice Management	32	1.0
DES 0400	Anatomy/Physiology for Dental Assistants	32	1.0
**DEA 0029C	Clinical Practice II	136	4.5
DEA 0850C	Clinical Practice III	300	10.0
	Total Contact Hours	1,230	39.50

*Students who have satisfactory test scores are not required to take these courses.
**A current Basic Life Support (CPR) certificate (eight hour course) must be completed prior to registering for DEA 0029C.

Notes
Clinical agencies may require students to undergo drug screening and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences. Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into selective access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition.

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