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SFCC Catalog 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Dental Assisting Certificate

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

This program prepares students to enter the dental profession as entry-level dental assistants. A dental assistant, under the supervision of a dentist, assists chair-side, performs laboratory procedures, exposes and processes dental radiographs, and performs receptionist and secretarial duties. Program completion enables students to take the national board exam and to obtain certification in expanded duty functions as specified by the State of New Mexico.

The Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312-440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

As a requirement for admission to the program, students must place into ENGL 109  or higher with appropriate ACCUPLACER score or transfer documentation and must hold a current BLS-CPR certificate.

Students can earn the following degree related to this certificate:

Program Learning Outcomes

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

  • Produce quality dental radiographs.
  • Demonstrate the methods for infection control.
  • Demonstrate the skills required in assisting in the application of dental fluorides.
  • Demonstrate the skills required in assisting in the application of coronal polishing.
  • Demonstrate the skills required in assisting in the application of dental sealants. 
  • Demonstrate the general chair-side skills required of a dental assistant. 
  • Demonstrate the skills required in performing additional state-approved expanded functions, such as taking impressions, application of surface anesthesia, and others. 
  • Demonstrate the knowledge and skills pertaining to legal and ethical issues related to dentistry.
  • Demonstrate the skills required for management of a dental practice, including managing staff, record-keeping, inventory, payroll, billing and quality assurance.  
  • Demonstrate 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.

Program Prerequisites:

General Education Requirements: (3 Credits)

Program Requirements: (34 Credits)

*These courses qualify certificate recipients for expanded duty functions as recognized by the State of New Mexico Board of Dental Health.

Related Requirements: (2 Credits)

Choose from the following:

Note:

See First-Year Student Success Course Requirement .

Total 39 Credits

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