Dental Assisting - AAS

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Program Code: AAS.20510

As a graduate of this program, you will be prepared to assist the dentist in diagnostic, operative, restorative, preventive and surgical procedures, as well as perform independent duties once you pass the RDA exam. Registered Dental Assistants in Michigan place and carve amalgam restorations; do selective coronal polishing; place sealants, fluoride, periodontal dressings, temporary crowns, dental dams, cavity liners and bases, orthodontic elastics and ligatures and arch wires; take impressions and radiographs; remove sutures; provide patient education; perform business office, laboratory and infection control duties. Opportunities are available for full-time and part-time employment in private dental offices and clinics as well as military, sales, research, and teaching. Salary depends on experience, duties and responsibility, geographic location and individual employer. Employment opportunities are comparable to the economy within the Great Lakes Bay Region and the state of Michigan. You should display the following positive attributes; manual dexterity; physical and mental health; vision; communication skill; ability to work as a team member; ability to follow directions; professional judgment and conduct; neat work habits; professional appearance and maintain personal hygiene; commitment to continuing education. Upon completing this program, you are eligible to take the certification exam of the Dental Assisting National Board to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and the Michigan Department of Community Health exam to become a Registered Dental Assistant ( RDA). This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

Fall First Year:

BIO 140W - Essentials Of Human Anatomy & Physiology Credits: 5
BIO 152W and BIO 153W can be taken in place of BIO 140W
COM 112W - Fundamentals of Oral Communication Credits: 3
COM 114W can be taken in place of COM 112W
ENG 111 - College Composition I Credits: 3
ENG 111A , ENG 111B , ENG 111C , ENG 111H or OAT 151 can be taken in place of ENG 111
LW 221W - Fitness and Wellness Credits: 2
Any 2 credit LW course or any 1 credit LW course and any 1 credit LWA course can be taken in place of LW 221W

Total Semester Credits: 13

Winter First Year:

ENG 112 - College Composition II Credits: 3
ENG 112A , ENG 112H , ENG 113 , ENG 211 or OAT 152 can be taken in place of ENG 112
POL 105W - American Politics with Project Credits: 4
POL 103W , POL 212W , POL 215W , POL 220W , POL 221W , POL 223W , POL 225W , POL 228W , HIS 221W , HIS 222W or HIS 237W can be taken in place of POL 105W
PSY 211W - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 4
PSY 101W can be taken in place of PSY 211W

Total Semester Credits: 11

Fall First Year Clinical:

DA 106W - Infection Control Credits: 2
DA 110 - Clinical Dental Assisting Credits: 3
DA 110LW - Clinical Dental Assisting I Lab Credits: 4
DA 113W - Oral Anatomy & Physiology Credits: 4
DA 114W - Dental Materials I Credits: 2
DA 117W - Dental Health and Nutrition Credits: 1
HSC 140 - Basic Medical Emergencies Credits: 2

Total Semester Credits: 18

Winter First Year Clinical:

DA 120 - Clinical Dental Assisting II Credits: 3
DA 120LW - Clinical Dental Assisting II Lab Credits: 4
DA 121W - Clinical Practice Credits: 3
DA 123LW - Dental Radiology Lab Credits: 2
DA 123W - Dental Radiology Credits: 2
DA 125LW - Dental Materials II Lab Credits: 2
DA 125W - Dental Materials II Credits: 2

Total Semester Credits: 18

Spring First Year Clinical:

DA 129W - Dental Office Management Credits: 2
DA 131LW - RDA Exam Prep Lab Credits: 5
DA 131W - RDA Exam Prep Credits: 1
DA 130W - Dental Assisting Internship Credits: 6
DA 133W - Dental Assisting Internship Seminar Credits: 1

Total Semester Credits: 15

Total Credits: 75

Notations

Due to the limited capacity of the Delta College dental facilities and the specific requirements of the Commission on Accreditation of Dental and Dental Auxiliary Educational Programs, enrollment is limited.
Once enrolled in the DA course sequence, you will be required to provide documentation of a current physical exam including a Hepatitis B and TB Carrier test prior to enrolling in any second semester course. A Hepatitis B vaccination is strongly recommended by the faculty and by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
In addition to tuition, textbook costs, and supply costs, you must purchase laboratory attire and other infectious disease barriers. You must provide your own transportation to dental office facilities and internship office assignments. You must supply your own patients for DA 123LW .
HSC 140 can be taken prior to enrollment in the program for CPR certification. However, if HSC 140 is taken prior to enrollment into the Dental Assisting program, you must maintain valid CPR certification for the second semester of the program and the sequential courses. It is also required for the Certification Exam and the Registered Dental Assistant Exam.
General Education Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to taking any DA course. A grade of “C” (2.0) or higher is required in all courses for the program.
You must achieve a “C” (2.0) minimum grade in each DA course to be eligible to continue enrollment in this program.
Validation is not required for this Health program.
This program can be completed in a one-year track or a two-year track option. A limited number of two-year track seats are available each year. See the program coordinator for two-year track scheduling assistance.
Students who are seeking transfer credit to another college or university should take the approved English composition courses instead of the OAT courses; also BIO 152W and BIO 153W instead of BIO 140W . Consult with the Counseling & Advising Center for help with your course selection.