Dental Assisting, Associate of Applied Science
Program Overview
The Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting degree is designed to facilitate the development of each student into a competent dental assistant. The program regards each student as an active participant bringing a variety of individual needs and attributes to the educational process. The program is committed to preparing the dental assistant students to become lifelong learners and critical thinkers who will be prepared to contribute to the body of knowledge in dental assisting. Graduates of the program will be prepared to work under the direction and supervision of a dentist.
Program Outcomes
- Acquire knowledge and skills necessary to provide a safe environment for patients and dental staff
- Illustrate competency in the arts and sciences pertinent to dental assisting
- Attain skills in chairside, clinical, practice management, radiographic and laboratory procedures
- Demonstrate knowledge of the American Dental Assisting Association's Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional conduct and its importance to the profession of dental assisting
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully complete the Dental Assisting National Examination
- Participate in dental community events and learning opportunities
For additional information about the program link to: https://www.ecpi.edu/programs/dental-assistant-associate-degree. To see the Student Consumer Information link to: https://www.ecpi.edu/student-consumer-services which provides additional information on the future careers, success, cost, and financing for this program. For information on the University Completion and Graduation Rates, please see About ECPI University on the ECPI website.
In 1.5 years, through our year-round schedule, students can earn an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting.
About Dental Assisting
The dental assistant’s responsibility can involve clinical and/or administrative duties. Graduates of the dental assistant program may be directly involved in patient care as “chairside” assistants. Other duties of a dental assistant may include performing lab work; sterilizing and disinfecting rooms and instruments; answering phones; filing charts; scheduling patients; charting, taking and processing X-rays; ordering supplies; and maintaining dental equipment.
Background checks, drug screening, and security clearances are not typically required for employment. Proof of negative chest x-ray, proof of tetanus and Hepatitis B titer, and proof of current CPR training are recommended but not required for employment.
The Dental Assistant can choose to work in private practice dental offices, public health facilities, and VA hospitals in a variety of dental specialty areas.
Certifications
The student externship agreement requires students to have the Radiation Health & Safety Certification before completing a required ten-week externship. ECPI encourages student to obtain all appropriate certifications to increase potential job opportunities. ECPI provides students in this program with vouchers which allow the student to take certification exams at a greatly reduced cost. Entry-level dental assistants should retain CPR certification and pass the Dental Assisting National Board Exams, Infection Control and Radiation Health and Safety. A National DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) is required to take dental x-rays. Certified Dental Assistant and Registered Dental Assistant (CDA/RDA) are recommended certifications.
Program Outline
To receive the Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting, students must earn 63 semester credit hours. The program requires a minimum of 4 semesters, which is equivalent to 15 months or 60 weeks of instruction. The program requirements are as follows:
Program Requirements
Core Curriculum
36 semester credit hours
Arts and Sciences*
21 semester credit hours
| BIO101 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| BIO104 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| COM115 | Principles of Communication | 3 |
| ENG110 | College Composition | 3 |
| HUM205 | Culture and Diversity: Exploring the Humanities | 3 |
| MTH120 | College Mathematics | 3 |
| PSY105 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
*Arts & Sciences courses listed may not be substituted.
Self-Integration
6 semester credit hours
Dental Assisting Program - Specific Policies
Admissions Requirements. Dental assisting program applicants must have a high school diploma or a GED. Dental Assisting program applicants must successfully complete the admissions assessment.
Attendance. A detailed record of each student’s ‘attendance is maintained by the instructors and becomes a part of their permanent records. Every absence from class, no matter what the reason, is recorded and counted as such by the instructor, beginning with the first day of class. It is sometimes necessary for the school to give employment recommendations for a student. The employer often takes attendance into consideration. Students MUST attend class regularly. NO CALL/NO SHOW TO SCHEDULED CLASSES IS NOT PERMITTED. If, for any reason, an absence is necessary, day clinical students must call the school and the instructor no later than one hour before the scheduled start time. Students with course absences greater than 15 percent may have their records reviewed for purposes of possible probation, termination, or suspension. A student may be dropped from a course if the student is absent more than 20 percent of the scheduled course hours. Written assignments must be submitted on time. Tests and assignments must be made up on the student‘s first classroom day back to school after absence unless the student makes alternate arrangements with the instructor. Students will be allowed two tests/exams make-ups per course. The student receives the grade earned for the first make-up test/exam. The grade received for the second makeup test/exam in the same course will be no higher than an 80%. No other make-up test/exam is permitted. A zero will be recorded for additional missed tests/exams in the same course. There are no make-up quizzes. Any late homework is the grade earned minus 10 points. All unit tests must be recorded prior to the final examination. Any student who does not take the make-up test/exam on the first day back will receive a zero for the test exam.
Clinical Phase Absenteeism and Tardiness. Absenteeism on clinical days will not be tolerated. Students are expected to arrive at clinical rotation sites prepared to administer patient care. If a student is unable to perform required duties due to health or other reasons, the student should not attend clinical. If for any reason the student cannot attend the clinical rotation site, the student must talk to the assigned site point of contact (POC) no later than one hour before the scheduled start time. Emergency messages will be conveyed from Medical Careers Institute to the clinical site location. At no time should family or friends call the healthcare facility where the student is assigned. If more than two clinical days are missed, the student must report to the Program Director.
Program Philosophy. The program for dental assisting is built on a foundation of academic coursework, clinical performance, administrative techniques, and general professionalism. Program faculty and staff are strongly committed to providing all students with an exciting, stimulating, and comprehensive learning experience. The program prepares a graduate to provide safe, effective, ethical, and legal care to persons of all ages and diverse backgrounds. The program develops the ability of the student to think independently, to understand fundamental theory, and to develop the skills necessary to become clinical practitioners who are enlightened decision makers.
Program Purpose. Dental assistants are essential participants in the dental care delivery system. This program prepares students to meet the requirements for employment as a dental assistant. The dental assistant performs patient care procedures and dental office duties under the direction of a dentist. Duties for patient care include preparing dental operatories for receiving patients for examinations, sick calls or routine dental treatment, reviewing and updating patient health histories, charting existing patient treatment as well as patient needs, taking and displaying radiographs, taking and recording vital signs, assisting the general dentist or dental specialist while conducting several laboratory procedures. Dental office duties include communications and public relations, appointment scheduling and recall systems, supply and inventory control, accounts payable and accounts receivable (collections). This program includes instruction in both clinical and administrative functions. Instruction includes on-campus classroom and laboratory courses, distance learning, and off-campus clinical rotations.
The dental assistant program is comprehensive by providing the correct mix of hands on skills and general education to ensure graduates are able to function effectively as highly skilled professionals. A variety of instructional methods are utilized in program courses to support the learning style of each student, yet challenge the student to recognize and develop alternative learning styles.
Program Hours. Students are required to attend classes during the day hours Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Career Orientation on Friday. Students are required to complete two off-campus clinical rotations. During these two clinical rotations, students will be assigned to an off-site facility for eight hours a day Monday through Friday as determined by the site point of contact (POC).
Student Evaluation. The faculty shall use the objectives of the dental assisting program as criteria for student evaluation. The student‘s grades are determined by a combination of professionalism, written examinations, laboratory practical exams, and clinical competency checklists.
The student progresses to the next term when all prerequisite courses have been satisfactorily completed. Students must achieve a passing grade of “C” (73 numerical grade) in all DEN courses.
Total of 1,260 contact hours