Dental Assisting

College of Alameda’s full-time Dental Assisting curriculum prepares you to assume the responsibilities of assisting the dentist in all phases of general practice. The program is designed to meet the requirements of the American Dental Association Council on Dental Education for Dental Assistants.

Who should consider enrolling in the Dental Assisting program?
You might enjoy the work of a professional dental assistant if you like interaction with people and working in teams, have good communication skills, enjoy variety in your work and working with your hands as well as your mind, and are looking for excellent working opportunities and conditions. Dental assisting is a rewarding and stable career.

What will you study?
Dental assisting courses address the issues of patient dental care and oral health. The program includes California dental law, ethics, professionalism, infection control, head and neck anatomy, dental radiology, dental materials and chair-side skills. Fall semester courses introduce basic theory and chair-side skills, leading to more advanced studies during the spring semester, which include internship and advanced use of technology within dentistry.

The program includes lecture and laboratory practice in the classroom. Clinical experience is required in the dental clinics of the University of California and the University of Pacific Dental Schools in San Francisco, as well as in private dental offices.

What will the program prepare you to do?
Students completing all required courses will earn a Certificate of Completion and be qualified to take the Certification Examination of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), the State of California Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) examinations, and will be prepared to assume the responsibilities of assisting the dentist in all phases of general practice.

You may take further general education courses to complete an Associate in Science Degree.