Dental Assisting

pcc.edu/programs/dental-assisting

Career and Program Description

The dental assistant is a member of the dental team, working with and assisting the dentist and hygienist during clinical procedures. Traditional duties and responsibilities include: exposing and developing dental radiographs, mixing dental materials, organizing and preparing treatment rooms, passing dental instruments and materials to the dentist, taking impressions, preparing, placing and removing rubber dams, placing topical anesthetic, fluoride and desensitizing agents, sterilizing instruments, disinfecting dental equipment, comforting patients during dental appointments and educating patients on various dental procedures. Graduates are also prepared to perform the following expanded duties: polish teeth and restorations, fabricate and cement temporary crowns, remove cement, place temporary restorations, place and remove matrix retainers, place sealants, perform temporary denture relines, place retraction cord and various orthodontic duties.

Computer skills are an important asset to a dental assistant. Students should be familiar with basic computer key boarding skills.  Dental computer programs are learned in the office procedures courses.

The Dental Assisting program is a limited entry program with restricted enrollment. The program is limited to 45 students. Applications are accepted from January 2 to July 1.

Health Admissions Office

Sylvania Campus, (CC) 208
Portland Community College
P.O. Box 19000
Portland, Oregon 97280-0990

For information call 971-722-4795 or check the website: www.pcc.edu/da.

Candidates will be notified of their admission status by late July.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

One-Year Certificate

Dental Assisting

Accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Academic Prerequisites

  • High school diploma or college transcripts showing a minimum 2.0 GPA, or GED.
  • Completion of the following courses or their equivalents, with a "C" or better, is required to be considered for application to the Dental Assisting Program.
    • WR 115 or IRW 115 or higher level writing course (Placement into WR 121Z can substitute for the WR 115 and IRW 115 course).
    • MP 111 must be completed prior to enrolling in any Dental Assisting courses.
    • A College Success Course of 2 or more credits or completion of any other college course with 2 or more credits (in addition to MP 111)  with a grade of "C" or better.
  • Pass/No Pass grades are not acceptable in prerequisites.
  • The Dental Assisting program is a limited entry program with restricted enrollment.
    • The program is limited to 45 students. Applications are accepted from October 1 to April 15. Application forms may be obtained at www.pcc.edu/da and should be submitted along with high school and college transcripts to:
      • Health Admissions Office
        Sylvania Campus, (CC) Room 208
        Portland Community College
        P.O. Box 19000
        Portland, Oregon 97280-0990
      • For information call 971-722-4795 or check the website www.pcc.edu/da.
        Candidates will be notified of their admission status by late May.

Academic Requirements

  • None

Non-Academic Prerequisites

  • 12 hours of shadowing in a dental office or clinic facility that is documented by dentist's signature with the dentist's business card attached.
  • Applicants should have all program prerequisite courses and job shadowing experiences completed by the end of winter term. Courses planned for spring term will not be considered for the current year's application process. It is the applicant’s responsibility to update their information by providing final grades of courses which are in progress at the time of application.
  • All students are required to be immunized against Hepatitis B as well as evidence of immunity to measles, tetanus immunization and current tuberculin skin test (TST). Test must be within previous 12 months. Positive TST will require evidence of normal chest x-ray (supply upon acceptance).
  • A valid (current) Healthcare Provider CPR that includes Adult, Child, Infant and AED is required.

Non-Academic Requirements

  • Criminal Background Check
    • All PCC students enrolled in a health care or child care program, including Dental Assisting, with requirements for practical experience of field training must pass a Criminal History Check (CHC) and a drug screen as a condition of their acceptance into a medical or other facility for training.
    • Students who do not pass the CHC and drug screen are not eligible to complete training at affiliated practicum sites, to sit for licensure or certification exams; or be hired for some professional positions. If you believe that your past history may interfere with your ability to complete the program of study or to obtaining licensure, or certification in your chosen field, you should contact the appropriate state board or program director.
  • The Dental Assisting Certificate prepares the student for job entry with State and National certification in dental radiology, basic dental assisting and expanded function dental assisting.
  • Students enrolled in the Dental Assisting Program perform exposure prone procedures and are required to wear safety glasses, gloves, face masks and protective clothing during all laboratory and clinic activities that produce airborne particulate matter, or expose students to patients during dental procedures. An exposure prone procedure is one in which there is an increased opportunity for the exchange of blood borne pathogens between the patient and the dental health care provider because of the kind of procedure being performed.
  • Safety policies, procedures and protocols are taught and followed according to OSHA regulations and CDC Standards to provide a safe learning and patient care environment. The program policies on blood borne pathogens and infectious disease are available to applicants upon request. Upon acceptance to the program, extensive training in this area will occur.
  • Applicants who have an infectious disease or who are carriers of an infectious disease should seek counsel from their physician and the program director prior to application. The college follows CDC suggested work restrictions for health-care personnel infected with or exposed to major infectious diseases in health care settings, from the CDC’s Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Healthcare Settings–2003 available at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5217a1.htm, Table 1, attached to and incorporated by this reference to this policy.
  • All aspects of the Dental Assisting Program are continually assessed to provide on-going excellence and continuing improvement, and are subject to change.

Dental Assisting One-Year Certificate

Minimum 45 credits. Students must meet all certificate requirements.

Dental Assisting Certificate Courses

DA 110Clinical Procedures I §3
or DA 110A
DA 110B
Clinical Procedures IA Lecture
and Clinical Procedures IB Lecture
DA 111Clinical Procedures I (Lab) §2
or DA 111A
DA 111B
Clinical Procedures IA Lab
and Clinical Procedures IB Lab
DA 112Clinical Procedures II1
DA 113Clinical Procedures II (Lab) §3
DA 114Clinical Procedures III1
DA 115Clinical Procedures Lab III §5
DA 116The Whole Patient - Ethical, Legal, and Medical Implications §2
DA 117Infection Control1
DA 118Expanded Duties I §1
DA 119Expanded Duties II §1
DA 120Dental Radiology I §2
DA 121Dental Radiology I (Lab)2
DA 122Dental Radiology II1
DA 123Dental Radiology II (Lab) §2
DA 125Dental Radiology III (Lab) §2
DA 130Dental Materials I1
DA 131Dental Materials I (Lab) §2
DA 132Dental Materials II §1
DA 133Dental Materials II (Lab) §2
DA 135Dental Materials III (Lab) §2
DA 140AIntegrated Basic Science I2
DA 142Integrated Basic Science III2
DA 150Dental Office Procedures I §2
DA 152Dental Office Procedures II §2
Total Credits45
§

Course contains Related Instruction and cannot be substituted with another course; Related Instruction details can be viewed here.

DA 110. Clinical Procedures I. 3 Credits.

Introduces the theory behind the clinical aspects of dental assisting duties and responsibilities. Includes four-handed dentistry concepts, restorative procedures, nutrition, and oral health care for the dental patient. Covers proper protocol regarding Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the patient record. Prerequisites: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting program. Corequisite: DA 111.

DA 110A. Clinical Procedures IA Lecture. 1 Credit.

Introduces the clinical aspects of dental assisting duties and responsibilities. Includes proper HIPAA protocols related to the patient record, assembly and breakdown of the dental unit, identification and use of instruments and supplies. Required: Admission to the Dental Assisting Part-time Program. Corequisite: DA 111A.

DA 110B. Clinical Procedures IB Lecture. 2 Credits.

Continues to explore the clinical aspects of dental assisting duties and responsibilities. Includes four-handed dentistry concepts, restorative procedures, nutrition, and oral health care for the dental patient. Prerequisite: DA 110A. Corequisite: DA 111B.

DA 111. Clinical Procedures I (Lab). 2 Credits.

Introduces clinical training and practical experience in four-handed dentistry. Includes dental assisting duties and responsibilities. Introduces clinical safety, privacy policies, patient records, restorative procedures, isolation procedures, dental records, disinfection, and sterilization. Prerequisite: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting program. Corequisite: DA 110.

DA 111A. Clinical Procedures IA Lab. 1 Credit.

Introduces clinical training and practical experience in dental assisting duties and responsibilities. Required: Admission to the Dental Assisting part-time program. Corequisite: DA 110A.

DA 111B. Clinical Procedures IB Lab. 1 Credit.

Continues clinical training and practical experience in dental assisting duties and responsibilities. Prerequisite: DA 111A. Corequisite: DA 110B.

DA 112. Clinical Procedures II. 1 Credit.

Covers intermediate concepts of the clinical aspect of dental assisting duties and responsibilities. Introduces dental specialties and the dental assistant's role in the areas of periodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, prosthodontics, implants, and TMD. Introduces the community-based learning project. Corequisite: DA 113.

DA 113. Clinical Procedures II (Lab). 3 Credits.

Covers intermediate clinical training and practical experience in general dentistry and dental assisting duties and responsibilities. Introduces dental specialties such as periodontics, oral surgery, and periodontal surgery. Provides an opportunity to gain chairside dental assisting experiences through clinical rotations at OHSU and PCC Dental Clinic. Introduces electronic records and dental software. Corequisite: DA 112.

DA 114. Clinical Procedures III. 1 Credit.

Covers advanced concepts in the clinical aspect of dental assisting. Continues exploration of dental specialties, public health dentistry, and best practices management. Corequisite: DA 115.

DA 115. Clinical Procedures Lab III. 5 Credits.

Covers advanced clinical training and practical experience in clinical dental assisting duties and responsibilities. Provides an opportunity to work in a clinic setting applying the principles and practices learned in the classroom. Corequisite: DA 114.

DA 116. The Whole Patient - Ethical, Legal, and Medical Implications. 2 Credits.

Covers medical emergencies, pharmacology, and ethical standards established by the dental professions. Covers legal responsibilities of the dental assistant and the dentist as established by the Oregon Dental Practice Act. Provides a correlation between treating the whole patient (pharmacology, psychology, and emergency treatment) and providing standard of care treatment and proper documentation for industry. Prerequisite: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting program.

DA 117. Infection Control. 1 Credit.

Covers the essential elements and implementation of infection control and occupational safety in a dental healthcare setting. Prerequisite: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting program.

DA 118. Expanded Duties I. 1 Credit.

Covers clinical training and practical experience in expanded functions dental assisting duties as allowed by the Oregon Dental Practice Act. Focuses on the rationale and procedures for coronal polishing, amalgam and composite finishing/polishing, fluoride application, retraction cord placement, and pit and fissure sealant placement.

DA 119. Expanded Duties II. 1 Credit.

Continues clinical training and practical experience in expanded functions dental assisting duties as allowed by the Oregon Dental Practice Act. Focuses on the rationale and procedures for Expanded Functions Orthodontic Dental Assistants (EFODA) certification and orthodontic specialty procedures.

DA 120. Dental Radiology I. 2 Credits.

Introduces the uses of digital and film radiographic images in dentistry. Includes the history of radiation discovery, biological effects of X-ray in tissues, and safety principles. Covers the physical and chemical properties of processing chemicals and film. Prerequisite: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting program. Corequisite: DA 121.

DA 121. Dental Radiology I (Lab). 2 Credits.

Provides an opportunity to practice radiographic techniques on manikins, and patients correlating activities to the DA 120 lecture. Prerequisite: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting program. Corequisite: DA 120.

DA 122. Dental Radiology II. 1 Credit.

Continues the examination of the philosophy and principles of dental radiography with review and preparation for national and state certification examinations. Corequisites: DA 123.

DA 123. Dental Radiology II (Lab). 2 Credits.

Continues exploring the practice of radiographic techniques on manikins and clinic patients under direct supervision. Corequisites: DA 122.

DA 125. Dental Radiology III (Lab). 2 Credits.

Provides advanced x-ray clinical experience including extraoral images and images for children and edentulous patients. Includes radiographic experience during private practice internships.

DA 130. Dental Materials I. 1 Credit.

Introduces dental materials and laboratory equipment used in the dental office. Covers the physical and chemical properties, manipulation, and uses of gypsum products, restorative materials, and impressions materials. Includes an overview of crown and bridge preparation procedures. Prerequisites: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting program. Corequisite: DA 131.

DA 131. Dental Materials I (Lab). 2 Credits.

Provides laboratory experience and skills development in dental assisting materials and laboratory equipment. Covers the proper and safe handling of dental materials including gypsum products, restorative materials, impressions materials, dental cements, dental bases, and provisional crown fabrication during manipulation and application. Prerequisite: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting program. Prerequisite/concurrent: DA 130.

DA 132. Dental Materials II. 1 Credit.

Covers intermediate concepts of dental materials. Includes the processes and materials used during the construction of fixed and removable prosthesis. Introduces dental materials used in various dental specialties. Corequisite: DA 133.

DA 133. Dental Materials II (Lab). 2 Credits.

Covers intermediate laboratory skill development in dental assisting materials and laboratory equipment. Includes the processes and materials used during the construction of fixed and removable prosthesis. Introduces dental materials used in various dental specialties. Corequisite: DA 132.

DA 135. Dental Materials III (Lab). 2 Credits.

Covers advanced laboratory skills development in dental assisting materials and laboratory equipment. Includes applying knowledge, technology, and skills from dental office externships. Prerequisite: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting program.

DA 140A. Integrated Basic Science I. 2 Credits.

Covers basic principles of oral anatomy and the study of tooth form and function. Introduces dental numbering systems and charting and some conditions manifested in the mouth (oral pathology). Prerequisite: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting program.

DA 142. Integrated Basic Science III. 2 Credits.

Covers a specialized study of the structures of the head and neck with an emphasis on the oral cavity, anesthesia, and a review of diseases that manifest in the oral cavity. Prerequisite: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting program.

DA 150. Dental Office Procedures I. 2 Credits.

Provides an overview of procedures associated with reception desk responsibilities and dental office management. Prerequisite: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting program.

DA 152. Dental Office Procedures II. 2 Credits.

Covers oral and written communication, computer skills, and job search techniques related to dentistry. Prerequisite: Acceptance in the Dental Assisting program.

DA 9406. Dental Assisting Practicum. 1-5 Credit.

Upgrading for dental assistants who have been out of the field for a prolonged period of time, or who feel their skills are out of date.