Program Details
| Program Award | Approx. Cost |
Approx. Length
|
Accreditation |
Prerequisites
|
|
Certificate of Achievement &
Associate in Science Degree Optional |
$3,850
|
2
semesters
1 Intersession
|
Accredited by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Dental Examiners.
|
Allied Health A010
Health Occupations
|
Dental Assisting is a challenging field requiring skills in chair-side assisting, dental radiology, preventive therapy, patient management, receptionist duties, expanded functions and office management. Qualified dental assistants find employment opportunities in a variety of settings such as private dental offices, specialty practices, federal or state dental programs and dental schools.
The program is accredited by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Dental Board of California, 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1550, Sacramento, CA 95815. Students are eligible to take the State License examination for Registered Dental Assistants and the National Dental Assisting Certification Exam.
Registered Dental Assistant functions are taught to laboratory competency and clinical competency where applicable. A list of laboratory and clinical competencies is available on request. Students must complete all required courses with a grade of “C” or better. This program is a sequential program. All fall semester courses must be taken concurrently in the fall semester. All spring semester courses must be taken concurrently in the spring semester.
Program Outcome
The outcome of the program is to meet the needs of the local health care community by preparing students for employment as a professional and competent registered dental assistant.
Program Goals
- 70% of students pass the RDA Examinations
- 80% of students indicate “Very Good” level on survey in overall quality of program
- 80% of students obtain employment as a DA/RDA or transfer to other colleges for additional education training
- 80% of students participate in Dental Assisting organizations thereby contributing to growth and development of the Dental Assisting profession
- Incorporate current dental technology into curriculum which aligns with industry standards.
Description of job for which program prepares students
Dental Assisting is a challenging field requiring skills in chair-side assisting, dental radiology, preventive therapy, patient management, receptionist duties, expanded functions and office management.
Required program prerequisites
- Allied Health A010 : Health Occupations
- Once ALH 010 is completed you will need to meet with our Allied Health Counselor to earn your program ready date.
Associate of Science Degree and Certificate
May receive certificate without completion of the Associate of Science degree.
Does this program transfer?
Some units are transferable to Dental Hygiene Programs and may also transfer for an advanced degree in allied health programs at California State Universities.
Procedure for program admittance
Program admittance is accomplished by taking program prerequisite, Allied Health A010 or ALH 012 -Health Occupations. ALH A010 or ALH 012 is a short-term course in which prospective students will submit an application to the program. Students are selected and admitted into the program on a first-come, first-serve basis by date of application. Both Allied Health A010 or ALH 012, and Allied Health A111 must be completed with a grade “P” (PASS) or better before program entry.
Program start
The program starts in the fall semester every year. All classes must be taken in sequence as listed in the college catalog.
Employment possibilities upon program completion
Private dental offices, specialty practices, federal or state dental programs, dental schools, Health Maintenance Organizations, dental office managers, dental receptionists, dental insurance clerk, and sales representatives. There is a high demand for dental assistants and Registered Dental Assistants (RDA) in Orange County, all of California, and nationwide. This trend is predicted for the next decade.
Job Portal
- Select POST A POSITION tab.
- Click on Handshake link and follow the instructions HOW TO POST A JOB OR INTERNSHIP
Salary
Starting salary range (without RDA license): $14-$18/hour. With experience and RDA
license/certifications salary range is $18-$24/hour. Excellent benefits and working conditions.
license/certifications salary range is $18-$24/hour. Excellent benefits and working conditions.
Length of program
Two semesters and one intersession.
Spaces available
24
Licenses obtained from program.
1. State Radiation x-ray license
2. Coronal polishing Certification
3. Pit and Fissure Sealant Certification
4. CPR certificate
5. Student will be eligible to take the Registered Dental Assisting examination
and the National Certification examination upon completion of the program.
Background checks
All students will be required to submit an application for pre-clinical background/drug screen check. The background check will include County Criminal Records (past 7 years), Residency History Search, Social Security Alert, Nationwide Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Registry (OIG/GSA), Nationwide Sexual Offender Registry and a California DMV report. The drug screening will include THC, cocaine, opiates, PCP, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methaqualone, propoxyphene and methadone. If requested by the clinical site, the results of the background/drug checks must be provided to them by the student.
Clinical requirements
The program requires that students participate in scheduled course clinical experience concurrent with classroom courses. Clinical assignments provide students with hands-on application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory courses at OCC contracted hospitals, medical centers, and/or outpatient facilities. It is the responsibility of each student to provide his or her own transportation to assigned clinical sites.
Prior to entry into clinical, students are required to complete/obtain:
- A physical examination
- Required Immunizations
- Criminal background/drug screen check clearance
- CPR, HIPAA training, Blood borne pathogen training provided in the dental program.
- Student liability insurance
Students must adhere to appropriate required dress code which may include a laboratory coat or scrubs, clinic shoes, name tag, and other program specific requirements.
Clinical sites may require drug testing or other blood work. There may be exposure to hazardous materials and infectious pathogens in the clinical setting. Students will adhere to all safety and standard precautionary measures. The student receives no financial compensation for clinical experience, but does receive course units as a required class in the program.
Policy on Blood-borne Pathogens
The Registered Dental Assisting Program has established the Blood-borne Pathogen Program to minimize or eliminate exposure to blood-borne pathogens and other infectious diseases that may result from the performance of their duties as students in the program or in clinical affiliates. The Registered Dental Assisting Program's Blood-borne Pathogen Program Policy is available in full to applicants and can be found on the PDF. The policy on Blood-borne Pathogens is also available to applicants in the program coordinator’s office.
See Policy from dir.ca.gov | View PDF
Other
Dental Assisting classes must be taken and completed in the appropriate sequence in order to advance from fall semester to the spring semester and graduate from the program.
Faculty
Heather Moreno, CDA, RDA, MBA
Program Coordinator, Instructor
Diane Salcedo-Balding, CDA, RDA, BS
Instructor
Jennifer L. Rafferty, CDA, RDH, MS
Instructor
Lynne Marian, RDA, OA, CDA, AS
Instructor
Heather Moreno
Program Coordinator
Office: Allied Health Bldg., 205-C
(714) 432-5565
Tom Choe
The Allied Health counselor only sees allied health students in the spring and fall terms.
Alexia Wood
Allied Health Program Assistant
(714) 432-5729