Oct 07, 2024  
SFCC Catalog 2024-2025 
    
SFCC Catalog 2024-2025

Dental Health, A.A.S.


CIP: 51.0601
School of Sciences, Health, Engineering and Math 505-428-1258

The A.A.S. degree provides the dental assisting major with additional career and educational opportunities in dental health. The program includes all of the course work required for the Certificate in Dental Assisting, which is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The objective of the A.A.S. degree is to enhance an individual’s employment opportunities in dental office management or in teaching dental assisting. Some dental institutions have developed upper-division programs that recognize the A.A.S. degree for transfer of credits.

NOTE: A.A.S. degrees are designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in specific occupations; they are generally not intended to transfer to four-year institutions. For more information on transfer, refer to the Transfer of Credit  section of this catalog, or speak with an academic adviser.

Students can earn the following certificates included in this degree:

Students can earn the following certificate related to this degree:

Students can follow the Program Map(s) listed below to complete this program:

Program Learning Outcomes


Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the methods for infection control in a dental office by utilizing the current infection control and safety precautions in all laboratory and clinical setting.
  • Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to systematically collect and record diagnostic data.
  • Demonstrate the skills as an effective and efficient member of the dental health team by performing a variety of lab and clinical supportive treatments such as producing quality dental radiographs, taking impressions, application of surface anesthesia, application of dental fluorides, application of coronal polishing, application of dental sealants and other additional state-approved expanded functions.
  • Demonstrate the knowledge and skills pertaining to legal and ethical issues related to dentistry including effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrate the skills required for management of a dental practice, including managing staff, recordkeeping, inventory, payroll, billing and quality assurance.
  • Demonstrate the knowledge of public health education, including regarding the prevalence and incidence of dental disease.
  • Demonstrate compassion, empathy and sensitivity to patients of different cultural backgrounds.
  • Understand the higher education options in all dental professions.

General Education Requirements: (20 Credits)


Mathematics (3 Credits Min.)


Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 Credits)


Humanities (3 Credits)


Health and Wellness (1 Credit)


Related Requirements: (5 Credits)


Total 61 Credits