Dental Assisting Coursework

Required Coursework

If you are accepted into the Dental Assisting Program, you must complete the following courses.

Required Courses

  • DA 100 Dental Materials - 3 units
  • DA 108 Infection Control in Dentistry - 2 units
  • DA 110 Introduction to Dental Essentials - 3.5 units 
  • DA 111 Applied Human Behavior - 2 units
  • DA 123A Introduction to Dental Essentials - 4.5 units
  • DA 123B Advanced Chairside Techniques - 4 units
  • DA 124 Dental Office Administration - 3 units
  • DA 125 Clinical Experience I - 3 units
  • DA 127 Clinical Experience II - 4.5 units
  • DA 135 Registered Dental Assistant Techniques - 3 units
  • DA 140 Oral Radiology - 4 units

*DA 125 & 127 Winter & Spring Semester rotations are held at the Western University Pomona, California, local dental offices and the VA..

Recommended Elective Courses

  • DA 149 Orthodontic Assistant-0.5 units 
  • DA 150 Clinical Experience in a Specialty Practice - 0.5 unit 
  • DA 160 Comprehensive Dental Assisting Exam Review - 0.5 unit 
  • DA 200A Dental Assisting Lab -1 unit
  • DA 200B Dental Assisting Technical Skills Enhancement Lab -1 unit

Use the resources below to see full course descriptions and check on the availability of courses in a given semester.

Certificate Options

10 months Certificate program (full time, fall entry).

Term Classes
Fall DA 100 Dental Materials - 3 units
DA 108 Infection Control* - 2  units 
DA 110 Introduction to Dental Essentials* - 3.5 units 
DA 123A  Chairside Assisting - 4.5 units
DA 140 Oral Radiology* - 4 units
DA 200 A Study Skills - 1 unit

Winter

DA 125 Clinical Experience 1-3 units
DA 124 Dental Office Administration-3 units

 Summer

DA 160 Comprehensive Dental Assisting State Board Preparation-0.5 unit
DA 149 Advanced Orthodontic Assistant*-2.0 unit (OPTIONAL)
DA150 Specialty Clinical Internship - 0.5 unit (OPTIONAL)

13 months Certificate program, spring entry (part time entry spring, full time to completion).

Term Classes
Spring DA 111 Applied Human Behavior* - 2 units
DA 108 Infection Control - 2 units
DA 110 Introduction to Dental Essentials* - 3.5 units
DA 140 Oral Radiology*(optional can take Fall) - 4 units
Fall DA 100 Dental Materials - 3 units
DA 123A  Chairside Assisting - 4.5 units
DA 200 A Study Skills - 1 unit

Winter

Spring

DA 124 Office Administration-3 units
DA 125 Clinical Experience 11-3 units

DA 123B  Chairside Assisting - 4 units
DA 127 Clinical Experience 11-4.5 units
DA 135 RDA Duties - 3 units
DA 200B Advanced DA Skills - 1 unit                                                           
Summer

DA 160 Comprehensive Dental Assisting State Board Preparation-0.5 unit
DA 149 Advanced Orthodontic Assistant (optional)-2.0 units    
DA 150 Specialty Clinical Internship (optional) - 0.5 unit

24 months Certificate Program Fall entry (part time throughout).

Term Classes
Fall (1st year)

DA 108 Infection Control - 2 units                          DA 110 Introduction to Dental Essentials* - 3.5 units

Winter 

DA 124 Dental Office Adminstration 3.0 units
Spring

DA 111 Applied Human Behavior-2.0 units
DA 140 Oral Radiology 4.0 units
Fall (2nd year)

DA 100 Dental Materials - 3 units                          DA 123A  Chairside Assisting - 3.5 units                DA 200 A Study Skills - 1 unit

Winter

Spring

DA 125 Clinical Experience 2.0 unit
DA 123B  Chairside Assisting - 4 unit   
DA 127 Clinical Experience 11 4.5 units
DA 135 RDA Duties - 3 units
DA 200B Advanced DA Skills - 1 unit
Summer

DA 160 Comprehensive Dental Assisting State Board Preparation - 0.5 unit
DA 149 Advanced Orthodontic Assistant (optional)-2.0 units
DA 150 Specialty Clinical Internship (optional) - 0.5 unit      

Program Completion

After successfully completing all program requirements, you will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement. Additionally, you will receive the following Occupational Skills Certificates:

  • Dental Assisting Certificate of Achievement
  • Eligibility to apply for the State RDA exam and National Certification (CDA) exam
  • Infection Control and Dental Practice Act
  • Oral Radiology Course
  • Coronal Polish (part of the RDA program certificate)
  • Pit and Fissure Sealant (part of the RDA program certificate)
  • Ultrasonic Scaling for Orthodontic Cement Removal
  • Orthodontic Assistant Permit (optional) eligibity to apply for the State OA exam

Additional Courses for the Associate in Science (AS) Degree

Many of the courses completed in the program can be applied to earning an AS Degree. Consult with a counselor to determine which classes qualify to receive credit in the general education categories of Natural Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Humanities, Language and Rationality, American Institutions, Health Education and Physical Activity for the Associate in Science degree. Competence must also be demonstrated in reading, written expression, and mathematics. Successful completion of DA 111 Applied Human Behavior and DA 110 courses will count towards diversity requirements.

RDA Licensure

Completion of the program does not guarantee licensure or employment.

The RDA license is offered through the Dental Board of California and includes a written exam as well as a background check and fingerprinting. The RDA written is via computer at various computer testing sites. Coronal Polish, Pit and Fissure Sealants and Ultrasonic Scaling are duties that may only be performed with the RDA license. Students and graduates are responsible for understanding the ethical and legal ramifications of performing duties they are not legally allowed to perform even after completing the required educational courses for all RDA duties. Students and graduates are responsible for understanding the ethical and legal ramifications of performing duties they are not legally allowed to perform even after completing the required educational courses for all RDA duties.

Orthodontic Assistant licensure

The OA license is offered through the Dental Board of California and includes a written exam as well as a background check and fingerprinting. The OA written is via computer at various computer testing sites. Orthodontic assistant duties may only be performed with the OA license. Students and graduates are responsible for understanding the ethical and legal ramifications of performing duties they are not legally allowed to perform even after completing the required educational courses for all OA duties.

After graduation from the program you must have a current RDA license to perform any RDA duties or Orthodontic Assistant Permit for Orthodontic (OAP) specified duties. All students completing the program will have met the requirements for the 8 hours infection control and 2 hours Dental Practice Act. A graduate may perform Dental Assisting duties as assigned by the Dental Board of California. Course content approved by the Dental Board of California-8 hour Infection Control.

For more information please refer to the Dental Board of California’s website dbc.ca.gov

This program is designed to be completed in months.

This program will cost if completed within normal time. There may be additional costs for living expenses. These costs were accurate at the time of posting, but may have changed.

Of the students who completed this program within normal time, the typical graduate leaves with of debt.

License requirements:

For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here: www.collegescorecard.ed.gov.

This program has not passed standards established by the U.S. Department of Education. The Department based these standards on the amounts students borrow for enrollment in this program and their reported earnings. If in the future the program does not pass the standards, students who are then enrolled may not be able to use federal student grants or loans to pay for the program, and may have to find other ways, such as private loans, to pay for the program.