Dental Assisting, Certificate

CIP Code: 51.0601

NOVA Code: 1200

Purpose: This curriculum is designed to prepare students to perform chairside assisting, minor laboratory, and basic office procedures. Students learn the theory and skills to assist in the dental operatory through course work in the areas of chairside assisting, radiology, dental materials, dental and biomedical sciences, as well as clinical practice. Graduates can perform certain additional tasks allowing them to become productive and valued members of the dental health team. Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board Examination (DANB). After successful completion of this examination, the credential Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) is awarded.

Admission Requirements: Students must:

• Comply with all General Admission Requirements for Allied Health Programs.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Take or self-place into MTH 133 or Math Unit 3 or higher: https://www.nvcc.edu/academics/placement/index.html.
• Pass ENG 111 , and SDV 101  with a grade of “B” or higher prior to admission into the program.
• BIO 145  or BIO 141  and BIO 142   with a grade of “B” or higher prior to admission into the program (Please note: BIO 141 requires the completion of BIO 101, or NAS 2 or a placement test as noted at: https://www.nvcc.edu/academics/divisions/health-sciences/).
• Be willing to repeat courses or to complete evaluative testing for credits earned more than ten years ago.
• View an information session located on the Dental Assisting web site https://www.nvcc.edu/academics/pathways/health-sciences/dental-assisting.html.

Completion Requirements: All courses (including General Education courses) must be completed with a grade of “C” or better before taking the next course in the sequence and to satisfy graduation requirements (note: some prerequisite requirements may require a higher grade).

Special Accreditation Status: The Dental Assisting program maintains their status of accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Students who successfully complete the program are considered to be graduates of an accredited program for purposes of certification and regulations as set forth by state licensing boards. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312-440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678. The Commission’s web address is: https://coda.ada.org.

Bloodborne Pathogens and Infectious Diseases Statement: By nature of the profession, students accepted into the Dental Assisting program may be exposed to blood and body fluids while practicing dental skills or providing services during clinical, preclinical, and laboratory sessions. Policies and procedures have been established to ensure the working environment is safe in order to minimize disease transmission. Prospective students may request a copy of the policy on bloodborne infectious diseases by calling 703-822-6627.