Dental Assisting-Technical Certificate
The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as dental assistants and dental auxiliaries. The program meets all competencies required by the Florida Department of Education for Dental Assistants. Graduates are eligible for employment as dental assistants with expanded functions and radiography skills.
Program Code: APP-DA
Prerequisite Requirements:
This program requires passing a manual dexterity test at a minimum level of 60 percent; the test is offered at a PHSC Career Assessment and Testing Office.
CPR certification, PHSC course NCH 0050, American Heart Association, "Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers", is a requirement of this program.
| Total Credit Hours: | 41.0-1230 |
Session I
| DEA 0135 | Infection Control/Risk Management for the Dental Assistant | 1 tech. cr. (30 clock hours) |
| DEA 0758 | Preclinical Procedures for Dental Assistants | 2 tech. cr. (60 clock hours) |
| DEA 0740 | Introduction to Dental Assisting | 3 tech. cr. (90 clock hours) |
| DEA 0741 | Anatomy and Physiology for Dental Assistants | 1.5 tech. cr. (45 clock hours) |
| DEA 0758L | Preclinical Procedures for Dental Assistants Laboratory | 1 tech. cr. (30 clock hours) |
| DEA 0743 | Preventive Dentistry for Dental Assistants | 1.5 tech. cr. (45 clock hours) |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10-300 |
Session II
| DEA 0744 | Dental Materials for Dental Assistants | 1 tech. cr. (30 clock hours) |
| DEA 0744L | Dental Materials for Dental Assistants Laboratory | 1.5 tech. cr. (45 clock hours) |
| DEA 0746 | Management of Dental Office Emergencies | 1 tech. cr. (30 clock hours) |
| DEA 0751 | Clinical Procedures for Dental Assistants | 2 tech. cr. (60 clock hours) |
| DEA 0751L | Clinical Procedures for Dental Assistants Laboratory | 3 tech. cr. (90 clock hours) |
| DEA 0755 | Dental Radiography for Dental Assistants | 1 tech. cr. (30 clock hours) |
| DEA 0755L | Dental Radiography for Dental Assistants Laboratory | 1.5 tech. cr. (45 clock hours) |
| DEA 0137 | Oral, Head and Neck Anatomy | 1.5 tech. cr. (45 clock hours) |
| DEA 0137L | Oral, Head and Neck Anatomy for Dental Assistants Laboratory | 1 tech. cr. (30 clock hours) |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13.5-405 |
Session III
| DEA 0753L | Clinical Externship for Dental Assisting | 14.5 tech. cr. (435 clock hours) |
| DEA 0747 | Dental Office Management for Dental Assistants | 1 tech. cr. (30 clock hours) |
| DEA 0757 | Expanded Functions for Dental Assistants | .5 tech cr. (15 clock hours) |
| DEA 0757L | Expanded Functions for Dental Assistants Laboratory | 1.5 tech. cr. (45 clock hours) |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17.5-525 |
Total Credit Hours: 41-1230
Special Program Requirements:
A grade of "C" or higher and a grade of "Pass" must be earned in each course in order to continue in the program. Courses may be repeated only on the recommendation of the dental faculty, dental programs co-coordinator and the dean of health occupations and approval of the vice president of instruction/provost, West Campus, and if space is available. Form IIN-27 must be completed by the Dental Assisting program faculty for program/course re-entry. In order to receive a certificate, students must obtain satisfactory scores on the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) (Form 9 or 10) with a minimum 10th grade level score in reading, language and mathematics. An associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university also will satisfy the TABE requirements.