This program prepares students to enter the dental profession as entry-level dental assistants. A dental assistant, under the supervision of a dentist, assists chair-side, performs laboratory procedures, exposes and processes dental radiographs, and performs receptionist and secretarial duties. Program completion enables students to take the national board exam and to obtain certification in expanded duty functions as specified by the state of New Mexico.
The program in dental assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.
As a requirement for admission to the program, students must place into ENGL 109 or higher with appropriate ACCUPLACER score or transfer documentation and must hold a current BLS-CPR certificate.
Learning Outcomes
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Produce quality dental radiographs.
- Demonstrate the methods for infection control.
- Demonstrate the skills required in assisting in the application of dental fluorides.
- Demonstrate the skills required in assisting in the application of coronal polishing.
- Demonstrate the skills required in assisting in the application of dental sealants.
- Demonstrate the general chair-side skills required of a dental assistant.
- Demonstrate the skills required in performing additional state-approved expanded functions, such as taking impressions, application of surface anesthesia, and others.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills pertaining to legal and ethical issues related to dentistry.
- Demonstrate the skills required for management of a dental practice, including managing staff, record-keeping, inventory, payroll, billing and quality assurance.
- Demonstrate knowledge of public health education, including regarding the prevalence and incidence of dental disease.
- Demonstrate compassion, empathy and sensitivity to patients of different cultural backgrounds.
Class Requirements
PROGRAM PREREQUISITES:
ENGL 109 English Review (4)
Current BLS-CPR certificate
GENERAL STUDIES REQUIREMENT: (3 HRS.)
ENGL 111 Composition and Rhetoric (3)
[or]
ENGL 119 Professional Communication (3)
CORE REQUIREMENTS: (34 HRS.)
DAST 121 Dental Assisting I (2)
DAST 122 Dental Materials (2)
DAST 122L Dental Materials (1)
DAST 123 Dental Radiography I (2)*
DAST 123L Dental Radiography I Lab (1)
DAST 124 Dental Sciences I (3)
DAST 125 Clinical Procedures I (2)
DAST 125L Clinical Procedures I Lab (1)
DAST 131 Dental Sciences II (4)*
DAST 133 Practice Management (2)
DAST 134 Clinical Procedures II (2)*
DAST 134L Clinical Procedures II Lab (2)
DAST 141 Dental Education Issues (1)
DAST 193 Dental Practicum I (2)
DAST 222 Community Dental Health (2)
DAST 293 Dental Practicum II (5)
*These courses qualify certificate recipients for expanded duty functions as recognized by the state of New Mexico Board of Dental Health.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED COURSES (NOT REQUIRED):
OFTC 111 Business Software Essentials I (4)
DAST 295A Preparation for Radiation Health and Safety Exam (1)
DAST 295B Preparation for Infection Control
Exam (1)
DAST 295C General Chair-side Review (1)
DAST 296 Fluoride, Coronal Polishing and Sealants Review (1)
PSYC 130 Applied Health Psychology (3)
NOTE: See First-Year Student Success Course Requirement on Page 8.
TOTAL 37 CREDITS MIN.
Dental Program
Aamna Nayyar
aamna.nayyar@sfcc.edu
505-428-1258
Karla Martinez-Vigil
karla.martinezvigil@sfcc.edu
505-428-1345