Program Overview
The Dental Assisting Program at Cerritos College prepares students to become competent dental assistants through a comprehensive curriculum that combines clinical and academic excellence. The program emphasizes collaboration, proficiency, and meeting the needs of dentists, patients, and the community. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to pursue careers in various dental care settings.
Program Outline
The program adheres to the principles of excellence in both clinical and academic fields, fostering students into successful dental professionals who meet diverse community needs. Through collaborative efforts among faculty, administrative bodies, and an advisory committee, the program prioritizes preparing graduates who excel as proficient dental assistants and serve the interests of dentists, patients, and the surrounding community effectively.
Program Aims:
- Prepare graduates as competent dental assistants
- Develop clinical and academic excellence in students
- Equip graduates to fulfill the needs of dentists, patients, and their communities
- Foster collaboration within faculty, administration, and a dedicated advisory committee
- Educate future dental assistants who possess high levels of proficiency
Outline:
The Dental Assisting Program curriculum spans five academic terms, starting in the Fall 2023 semester and concluding in the Spring 2025 semester.
Throughout the program, students acquire knowledge and experience via a structured sequence of major, general education, and elective courses.
Term 1 (Fall 2023):
- Introduction to core concepts in DA 51: Applied Dental Science I
- Gain expertise in capturing radiographs with DA 52: Dental Radiography I
- Develop fundamental chairside skills in DA 53: Introduction to Chairside Assisting
Term 2 (Spring 2024):
- Further advance knowledge in DA 61: Applied Dental Science II
- Hone radiographic techniques in DA 62: Dental Radiography II
- Refine chairside skills in DA 63: Advanced Chairside Assisting
- Acquire administrative expertise in DA 64: Dental Office Management
- Initiate clinical applications in DA 65: Clinical I Dental Schools
Term 3 (Summer 2024):
- Apply skills in real-world settings through DA 75: Clinical II Cooperative Office Training
Term 4 (Fall 2024):
- Fulfill general education requirements in English Composition
- Explore diverse perspectives in Humanities
- Investigate various aspects of the Natural Sciences
- Select an additional elective course
Term 5 (Spring 2025):
- Complete general education requirements in US History/Government
- Develop communication and critical thinking skills
- Choose from an extensive range of general education or elective courses
- Fulfill mathematics proficiency through designated options
- Select and incorporate additional electives Performance-based evaluations include clinical skills demonstrations to ensure practical expertise. Furthermore, the program conducts case studies to examine students' problem-solving capabilities and promotes student self-evaluation and peer assessment to facilitate a holistic learning and evaluation experience.
Evaluation Criteria:
Student success is determined through a systematic approach, with benchmarks established in each course reflecting knowledge mastery levels. Written examinations typically demand scoring 70% or above to meet passing criteria, whereas performance-based skills demonstrations necessitate adherence to established procedural protocols with meticulous technique for successful completion. This variety in instructional techniques aims to produce well-rounded dental assistants.
Faculty Expertise:
The renowned faculty team consists of accomplished individuals with extensive professional and practical experience within the vast dental field, allowing them to deliver high-quality knowledge coupled with real-world insights effectively. This blend of theoretical understanding and practical knowledge empowers faculty to guide students toward becoming successful dental assistants in various contexts and scenarios.
Special Features:
Within the program, students benefit from unique learning opportunities including cooperative office training in clinical settings with direct involvement and supervision from seasoned dental professionals, providing valuable exposure and fostering practical proficiency in real-world environments. This integration of theoretical concepts and hands-on application within clinical partnerships serves as a remarkable program hallmark.
Careers:
Potential Occupations:
Upon completing the Dental Assisting Program, graduates may embark on careers in diverse dental care settings, offering valuable services within private or specialty practices, public health facilities, and hospital-based dental departments.