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. Students must submit to a criminal background check and a drug screening prior to entering their clinical internship assignments. (Student fees for these tests apply.)
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.
Contact Information
Frank Delgesso
Dental Assisting Chair
Rampart Range Campus, W209
719-502-3347
frank.delgesso@ppcc.edu
Amy Reed
Dental Assisting Faculty
Rampart Range Campus, W209
719-502-3342
amy.reed@ppcc.edu
Program Information
Courses and Credit Hours
Dental Assisting Certificate
Program Fliers
Last updated 5/27/2010
The Dental Assisting certificate program is accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation.