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Dental Assisting Diploma

Dental Assisting Diploma

The Dental Assisting Program is a five quarter, sequenced, full time program. You must maintain a 2.0 average (a "C" equivalent) or better in all Dental Assisting and Allied Health courses in order to proceed to the next quarter in the program of study. There is classroom instruction, laboratory demonstration, and clinical experience. Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board Exam.

Courses in the Dental Assisting Program are offered in designated sequence to best prepare students for patient care. Students must earn 70% or better in all courses before proceeding to the next sequenced quarter. A grade of less than 70% in any DEN course component will require that the student withdraw from the Dental Assisting program sequence and apply for readmission to the next scheduled class with all other applicants. There is no guarantee of readmission. The program has a competitive admission process due to limited space and a high demand for the program.

Career Information and Occupational Outlook:

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Program Admission Requirements:

  1. Present official documentation of an earned high school diploma or official GED Scores.
  2. Be at least 17 years old.
  3. Present appropriate test scores, or present an official transcript documenting college-level English and mathematics with grades of "C" or better.
  4. Complete prerequisite courses by the end of Fall quarter for Winter competitive admission.
  5. Complete and submit the Letter of Intent form, the Personal Data Sheet, proof of minimum 8 hours volunteer or paid time in dental office, and the Immunization form for Dental Assisting by the first Monday in November to be considered for the competitive admission process for Winter. HepB immunization series must be started upon acceptance into the program and completed prior to clinical rotation.
  6. Current physical and dental exams are required after you are accepted into the program.
  7. No provisional and/or special admission will be considered for the program.

Estimated Cost:

Estimated costs are in addition to tuition and fees.

Supplies: Lab, classroom, etc. 475.00
Uniforms: 2 lab coats 60.00
1 Shoes 40.00
4 Scrub sets 160.00
2 Name pins 12.00
6 School patches 30.00
Student Dental Association Membership 25.00
CPR: American Heart Association Certification 5.00
Insurance: Liability policy for clinical practicums 27.00
Dental Assisting Class Pin 40.00
Certification: Expanded Duties Examination 50.00
National Exam 300.00

Curriculum:

* Grade ranked for admission

Quarter Course # Course Title Contact Hours Credit Hours
Pre-Requisite ENG 1010* English 5 5
MAT 1012* Math 5 5
AHS 104* Introduction to Health Care 5 3
Complete the free, self-paced course in ANGEL ole: online learning for everyone at www.columbustech.edu/virtual/ole.htm
  Total 15 13
Pre-Requisite PSY 1010 Basic Psychology 5 5
SCT 100* Introduction to Microcomputers 5 3
DEN 1010 Basic Human Biology, or 2 2
AHS 1011* Anatomy and Physiology (5) (5)
  Total 13 or (15) 10 or (13)
Spring DEN 1050 Microbiology and Infection Control 4 3
DEN 1060 Oral Anatomy 5 5
DEN 1340 Dental Assisting I 10 6
  Total 19 14
Summer DEN 1020 Head and Neck Anatomy 2 2
DEN 1390 Dental Radiology 6 5
DEN 1350 Dental Assisting II 10 6
  Total 18 13
Fall DEN 1360 Dental Assisting III 5 4
DEN 1370 Dental Assisting-Expanded Functions 5 4
DEN 1030 Preventive Dentistry 5 3
DEN 1460 Dental Practicum I 6 2
  Total 21 13
Winter DEN 1070 Oral Pathology and Therapeutics 4 3
DEN 1380 Scopes of Professional Practice 2 1
DEN 1400 Dental Practice Management 5 4
DEN 1470 Dental Practicum II 6 2
  Total 17 10
Spring DEN 1090 Dental Assisting National Board Examination Preparation 3 2
DEN 1480 Dental Practicum III 24 8
  Total 27 10

The content of this page does not constitute a contract between Columbus Technical College and its students on either a collective or individual basis. Course curriculum, fee changes, or additional unforeseen changes may occur after publication. Course offerings are contingent upon adequate enrollments. Please contact the school offering the program for the most current information. Academic advising is available to students prior to registration; this information is not a substitute for consulting with an academic advisor.

Last updated: October 15, 2009.