Program Information
Vocational Certificate - Code 1048 - Catalog 2018/2019
Leslie Fehl, Assistant Chair, 386-506-3758, Leslie.Fehl@daytonastate.edu
Pamela Ridilla, Chairperson, 386-785-2093, Pamela.Ridilla@daytonastate.edu
Program Mission, Description, and Outcomes
Mission:
The mission of the Dental Assisting Program is the development of professional, ethical, and competent members of the oral health team who provide quality, patient-centered care to diverse population groups in a variety of health care settings. The Dental Assisting Program is committed to excellence in teaching and learning, emphasizing student success.
Description:
This program teaches students to pass and receive dental instruments; obtain and analyze dental radiographic images; provide oral health care instructions; mix various dental materials; maintain patient records and order supplies; manage recare maintenance systems; prepare instruments for sterilization; and acquire knowledge of infection control practices. Dental assistants are professional members of the dental health team who can perform minor laboratory and basic business office procedures. Upon completion of the program, students earn the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (E.F.D.A.) credential required by the state of Florida and are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board examination to obtain certification as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
Program Accreditation: The Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of "approval without reporting requirements". The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is http://www.ada.org/en/coda.
College Accreditation: Daytona State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and bachelor's degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Daytona State College.
Outcomes:
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Apply the principles of four-handed dentistry during collection of diagnostic data and chairside procedures.
- Perform a variety of clinical supportive treatments.
- Demonstrate basic business office procedures.
- Obtain and analyze diagnostically acceptable digital radiographic images on a variety of patients while executing radiation safety measures.
- Manage asepsis utilizing infection and hazard control protocols consistent with published professional guidelines.
Note: This program is eligible for federal financial aid and state bright futures.
Approximate Additional Costs
Program Tuition and Fees: $4,107*
Access Fee: $60 ($1.26 per credit)
Assessment Fee: $33
Lab Fees (including liability insurance): $299
Textbooks: $1,035
Uniforms and Lab Supplies: $529
American Dental Assistants Association Student Membership: $45
Class Pin and Composite Picture: $70
Dental Assisting National Board Examination: $425
Health Screening and Immunizations (depends on applicant's health care provider): $275
Basic Life Support Certification: $50
Florida Department of Law Enforcement/Federal Bureau of Investigation Background Check: $90
*In-state tuition only; out-of-state tuition will be higher.
Financing Options: All students are encouraged to apply for federal and state student financial assistance by completing the FAFSA at http://www.fafsa.gov. For more information on grant, loans and work program available please see the Office of Financial Aid webpage at http://www.daytonastate.edu/finaid. Students are also encouraged to apply for one of the many Daytona State College Foundation scholarships offered each semester. For more information see: http://www.daytonastate.edu/scholarships.
Additional Admission Requirements
- This is a Limited Access Program. Continuing enrollment approval will be required to enroll in the program specific courses based on a selection process.
- High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
- Score on the placement test for vocational certification programs (TABE) indicating reading, language, and math skills at a 10th grade level or higher. Applicants starting in a Florida Public high school in 2003 or after and graduating from a Florida public high school with a standard high school diploma and active duty military are exempt from any placement testing. Contact an Academic Advisor for assistance.
- Completion of a minimum of eight (8) observation hours in a dental facility is required before submitting an application for continuing enrollment. Please note: starting in Academic Year 2018-2019, DEA 0000 Introduction to Dental Assisting and SLS 1122 Managing Your Success will no longer be required as prerequiste courses. These two courses will be offered within the Program during the first semester, Summer Semester (Term B - Six Weeks).
- Cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better to apply for continuing enrollment.
- Recommend taking a course in basic computer skills, medical terminology, as well as general biology or anatomy and physiology before entering the program (if these courses were not taken previously in high school).
- Submit completed School of Dental Science application for continuing enrollment to the Academic Advisor in the College of Health and Public Services.
- Students are approved for continuing enrollment based on specific admission criteria.
- Applicants with higher cumulative GPAs and successful completion of all corequisite courses will be considered more favorably for continuing enrollment.
- Completion of health screening to include: recent physical examination; verification of immunization against tetanus-diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, and Hepatitis B; and negative PPD test for tuberculosis (or chest x-ray if indicated) is required prior to the start of Fall semester courses.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for the Health Care Provider to include adults, infant, children, and automatic external defibrillator (AED); through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross is required prior to the start of Fall semester courses.
- Admission into the program will be contingent on the satisfactory completion of both a drug screen and background check consisting of a fingerprint check of state and federal criminal history information conducted through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This must be completed prior to the first day of program specific courses (Summer Semester Term B).
- All program general education and dental assisting courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
- OST 1330 Business English is an acceptable prerequisite course for SPC 2608 Oral Communication/Research/Presentation Skills and INP 1390 Human Relations in the Workplace for this program.
- ENC 1101 Introduction to Composition may be substituted for OST 1330 Business English. PSY 1012 General Psychology may be substituted for INP 1390 Human Relations in the Workplace for this program.
- Students will be held accountable for the policy and procedures of the Dental Assisting Program as outlined in the Dental Assisting Student Policy Handbook as well as the College Student Handbook.
Careers
The following information is required by federal regulations to be provided to students for all vocational and certificate programs. Additional information on any career, job, or salary potential can be found at http://www.onetonline.org.
Program Length: The typical length of this program is four (4) semesters (42 weeks) for a full-time student, with 100% graduating within 3 semesters for 2014-15. The Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program (FETPIP) lists the placement rate (2013-14) for this field at 80%.
For additional career information, please see:
http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9091.00
Note: Need help preparing for your job search? Login to Daytona State's Career Services Online (CSO) to create your personal career account, or email your Daytona State College Career Advisor.
General Education Courses
General Education Core - 3 Credits
Communication Core (3 credits)
| SPC2608 | Oral Communications/Research/Presentation Skills | 3 |
Note: Prior to enrollment in college-level English or math courses, some students may be advised to complete college preparatory/developmental course work. See an Academic Advisor to determine developmental course requirements.
Program Specific Courses
Sample Program of Study
Summer Semester (Term B - Six Weeks)
| DES0002 | Dental Anatomy and Physiology | 30 |
| DEA0000 | Introduction to Dental Assisting | 30 |
| SLS1122 | Managing Your Success | 3 |
Fall Semester
| OST1330 | Business English | 3 |
| INP1390 | Human Relations in the Workplace | 3 |
| DEA0020C | Chairside Assisting I and Lab | 105 |
| DES0103C | Dental Materials and Laboratory Procedures | 90 |
| DES0205C | Dental Radiology and Lab | 90 |
Spring Semester
| SPC2608 | Oral Communications/Research/Presentation Skills | 3 |
| DEA0130 | Biomedical Science | 60 |
| DEA0801C | Chairside Assisting II and Lab | 105 |
| DEA0850L | Externship I | 240 |
| DES0501 | Practice Management | 30 |
| DES0844 | Preventive Dentistry and Nutrition | 30 |
Summer Semester (Term A - Six Weeks)