Dental Assisting

Associate of Applied Science Degree
Recommended basic skills standards are
• ENG 090
• MAT 030
• REA 090

A dental assistant is a skilled and essential member of the dental health care team in the delivery of preventive and restorative dentistry. The continuing demand for dental assistants makes this program an opportunity for a productive career.

The Dental Assisting certificate program prepares students for employment as chair-side dental assistants. In addition to the prescribed coursework, a minimum of 300 clinical hours is required to complete the program. Students must provide their own transportation to their clinical sites. A complete physical examination is required prior to the beginning of the clinical experience, and a Hepatitis B vaccination is strongly recommended.

Students must be at least 18 years of age before enrolling in Dental Radiology courses. Students must earn a C or better in all dental assisting courses in order to graduate.

The Dental Assisting certificate program is accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation. Graduates of the certificate program are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Examination. Successful completion of the DANB Examination awards students the status of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).

Students who wish to pursue the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Assisting must be a graduate of an ADA accredited dental assisting certificate program. Students participating in the AAS Degree program will be given instruction, laboratory experience, and clinical experience in expanded functions as permitted by the Dental Practice Law of Colorado. Students who wish to develop skills as an expanded functions dental assistant but, are not graduates of an ADA accredited dental assisting program, must be a Certified Dental Assistant or have a minimum of two years of full time documented  experience as a chairside dental assistant, preferably in a general dentistry practice.

Students who are interested in either the certificate program or the AAS degree program must meet with a dental assisting program advisor prior to enrolling in any dental assisting courses. 

General Education Courses

 CIS 118  Introduction to PC Applications      3
 COM 115   Public Speaking       3
 or    
 COM 125  Interpersonal Communication    (3)
 or    
 ENG 121   English Composition I: CO1     (3)
 COM 225   Organizational Communication      3
 or    
 ENG 122  English Composition II: CO2     (3)
 PSY 101   General Psychology I: SS3       3
 or    
 PSY 112    Psychology of Adjustment       3
 PSY 102   General Psychology II: SS3      3
 or    
 PSY 235  Human Growth and Development: SS3     3
       15

Additional required courses 

DEA 102 Principles of Clinical Practice      3
DEA 104  Specialties of Dentistry      2
DEA 111 Dental Office Management      2
DEA 120 Introductions to Dental Practices       1
DEA 121 Dental Science I       3
DEA 122 Dental Science II       3
DEA 123 Dental Materials I       3
DEA 124 Dental Materials II       3
DEA 125 Dental Radiography       3
DEA 126 Infection Control       3
DEA 131 Advanced Dental Radiography       3
DEA 132 Medical Emergencies       2
DEA 134  Prevention and Nutrition in Dentistry       2
DEA 140 Dental Assisting National Board Review       1
DEA 181 Clinical Internship I       1
DEA 182 Clinical Internship II and Seminar       6
DEA 200 Introduction to Expanded Functions      4
DEA 205 Expanded Functions for Dental Auxiliary         4
       49
  Total Credit Hours    64

Certificate

CIS 118 Introduction to PC Applications       3
COM 115 Public Speaking       3
or    
COM 125  Interpersonal Communication    (3)
or    
ENG 121  English Composition I: CO1     (3)
DEA 102 Principles of Clinical Practice      3
DEA 104 Specialties in Dentistry       2
DEA 111 Dental Office Management       2
DEA 120 Introduction to Dental Practices       1
DEA 121 Dental Science I       3
DEA 122 Dental Science II       3
DEA 123 Dental Materials I       3
DEA 124  Dental Materials II       3
DEA 125  Dental Radiography       3
DEA 126 Infection Control       3
DEA 131 Advanced Dental Radiography       3
DEA 132  Medical Emergencies       2
DEA 134 Prevention and Nutrition in Dentistry      2
DEA 140 Dental Assisting National Board Review (Elective)       1
DEA 181 Clinical Internship I       1
DEA 182 Clinical Internship II and Seminar         6
  Total Credit Hours 46-47