Program Overview

Dental Assisting Associate in Science Degree Program

Related Degrees & Certificates

• CA Certificate of Achievement
  • Dental Assisting | 37.5 units

Career Opportunities

Registered Dental Assisting career opportunities are available in dental offices, private practice, and community clinics.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be able to:

• Legally sit for the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) licensing examination for the State of California.
• Legally sit for the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) licensing examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

Recommended High School Preparation

Coursework in Science, English, Psychology, and courses in Art that develop manual dexterity.

Requirements

Students are required to take the CSM English Placement Test prior to enrolling in the program. Any student who wants to become licensed by the State of California as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) must have a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify for the licensing exam.

Dental Assisting Applications

Dental Assisting Program applications will be accepted from early February through May 1. Acceptance into the Dental Assisting Program requires students to be eligible for English 100 or its equivalent, and to have a minimum overall GPA of 2.0.

Program Overview

CSM's Dental Assisting program is a two-semester program, accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The program provides a comprehensive education in clinical dental assisting as preparation to sit for both the State (Registered Dental Assistant) and National (Certified Dental Assisting) examinations. Clinical experience is arranged at the University of California San Francisco Schools of Dentistry, and in various dental offices in the local area.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

• Required Core Courses: 37.5 units
  • DENT 701 | Dental Science I | 3 units
  • DENT 702 | Dental Science II | 3 units
  • DENT 703 | Allied Health Communication | 1 unit
  • DENT 721 | Dental Materials I | 3 units
  • DENT 722 | Dental Materials II | 2 units
  • DENT 730 | Occupational Safety and Infection Control in Dentistry | 1.5 units
  • DENT 740 | Chairside Assisting I | 3 units
  • DENT 742 | Chairside Assisting II | 3 units
  • DENT 749 | Preclinical Dental Science Laboratory | 1 unit
  • DENT 751 | Dental Clinic | 1.5 units
  • DENT 753 | Dental Assisting Clinical Practice | 5 units
  • DENT 763 | Dental Radiology | 2 units
  • DENT 770 | Dental Office Procedures | 2.5 units
  • COMM 110 | Public Speaking | 3 units
  • OR
  • COMM 130 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 units
  • PSYC 100 | General Psychology | 3 units
  • OR
  • SOCI 100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 units

General Education Coursework and Electives

And required General Education coursework and electives as needed to meet the minimum 60 units required for the Associate degree.