Program Overview

Dental Assisting at Cerritos College

Associate of Arts

The Dental Assisting Program integrates well into the educational philosophy, mission and vision of Cerritos College. The program promotes both students' clinical and academic excellence to prepare them to become competent dental professionals. The program collaborates with faculty, administration, and the advisory committee to produce successful and proficient dental assistants to meet the needs of the dentist, patient, and the community it serves.

Salary, Growth and Careers

Salary

Careers associated with this program have a salary range from $45,000 to $169,000 with an average salary of $91,000.

Growth

Career opportunities for this program are expected to grow nationwide from 2022 to 2032.

Careers

• Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
  • Education Level: Doctoral or professional degree
  • Job Growth: +19.1%
  • Average Salary: $130k
  • Salary Range: $72k - $169k
• Dental Assistants
  • Education Level: Postsecondary nondegree award
  • Job Growth: +6.9%
  • Average Salary: $52k
  • Salary Range: $45k - $59k

Program Map

Pathway: to Degree

• Dental Assisting
  • Associate of Arts
  • 59.0 - 65.0 Units

Major Course

• Fall 2024
  • 1st Term
  • 13.0 UNITS
    • MAJ DA 51: Applied Dental Science I (4.0 Units)
    • MAJ DA 52: Dental Radiography I (2.0 Units)
    • MAJ DA 53: Introduction to Chairside Assisting (3.0 Units)
    • MAJ DA 54: Introduction to Operatory Procedures (4.0 Units)
• Spring 2025
  • 2nd Term
  • 15.0 UNITS
    • MAJ DA 61: Applied Dental Science II (3.0 Units)
    • MAJ DA 62: Dental Radiography II (3.0 Units)
    • MAJ DA 63: Advanced Chairside Assisting (4.0 Units)
    • MAJ DA 64: Dental Office Management (2.0 Units)
    • MAJ DA 65: Clinical I Dental Schools (3.0 Units)
• Summer 2025
  • 3rd Term
  • 5.0 UNITS
    • MAJ DA 75: Clinical II Cooperative Office Training (5.0 Units)
• Fall 2025
  • 4th Term
  • 13.0 - 15.0 UNITS
    • GEN English Composition (4.0 Units)
    • GEN Humanities (3.0 Units)
    • GEN Natural Sciences (3.0 - 5.0 Units)
    • ELEC Elective (3.0 Units)
• Spring 2026
  • 5th Term
  • 13.0 - 17.0 UNITS
    • GEN U.S. History or Government (3.0 Units)
    • GEN Communication and Analytical Thinking (3.0 Units)
    • GEN GE or Elective (3.0 Units)
    • GEN Proficiency: Mathematics (3.0 - 5.0 Units)
    • ELEC Elective (1.0 - 3.0 Units)

Education Levels

Education levels are meant to represent what is typical for entry into the career, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.