Dental Assistant, Certificate
Program Description:
The Dental Assistant program is designed to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience required to function effectively as entry-level dental assistants in a variety of clinical and administrative settings. Through a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and supervised clinical externship, students develop competencies in chairside assisting, radiographic procedures, dental materials, infection control, patient communication, and front-office operations.
After graduation, students must complete the Expanded Function and Dental Radiography certificates to be fully eligible to work in the field.
Program Requirements (18 Credits)
Core Requirements (18 Credits)
| DEA 101 | Introduction to Dental Assistant | 1 |
| DEA 104 | Dental Material | 1 |
| DEA 106 | Dental Anatomy | 2 |
| DEA 108 | Diet, Nutrition, and Oral Hygiene | 1 |
| DEA 110 | Dental X-Ray | 1 |
| DEA 112 | Front Office Procedures | 1 |
| DEA 114 | Dental Office Emergencies | 1 |
| DEA 120 | Preclinical Dental Assisting Procedures | 2 |
| DEA 122 | Expanded Functions for Dental Assistant I | 2 |
| DEA 124 | Expanded Functions for Dental Assistant II | 2 |
| DEA 126 | Clinical Externship | 4 |
Dental Assistant students are required to always wear a FNU’s Dental Assistant Uniform and Proper shoes. Students must furnish their own uniforms.
All students must have liability insurance, dosimeters, and complete the OSHA/HIV/BLS/HIPAA in order to participate in the clinical rotations.
Passing grade for DEA courses must be a "C" or better (GPA 2.00 or better).
Students must complete 120 hours of clinical practice.
Classes are offered simultaneously in English and Spanish. Completing a course or program in a language other than English may reduce employability where English is required.