Program Information
Vocational Certificate - Code 104800 - Catalog 2024/2025
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 procedures and utilize practice management procedures and systems. 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 (SACSCOC) to award associates and bachelor’s degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Daytona State College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Outcomes:
Graduates of the program will be able to:
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Apply the principles of four-handed dentistry during collection of diagnostic data and chairside procedures.
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Perform a variety of clinical supportive treatments.
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Demonstrate the use of practice management procedures and systems.
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Execute radiation safety measures, take diagnostic acceptable images on patients, and produce x-rays using various imagery techniques on a variety of patients.
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Manage asepsis utilizing infection and hazard control protocols consistent with published professional guidelines.
Financial Aid
This program is eligible for federal financial aid and state Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
Financing Options: All students are encouraged to apply for federal and state student financial assistance by visiting FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. For more information on grants, loans and work programs available please visit the Office of Financial Aid webpage at daytonastate.edu/financial-aid/. Students are also encouraged to apply for one of the many Daytona State College Foundation scholarships offered each semester. For more information see: daytonastate.edu/scholarships/.
Note: Students who do not have a standard high school diploma/GED cannot receive student financial aid.
Approximate Additional Costs
| Program Tuition and Fees*: |
$4,107 |
| Access Fee: |
$60.16 ($1.28 per credit) |
| Assessment Fee: |
$34 |
| Lab Fees (including liability insurance): |
$510 |
| Textbook Estimate: |
$813 |
| Uniforms and Lab Supplies: |
$580 |
| American Dental Assistants Association Student Membership: |
$45 |
| Class Pin and Composite Picture: |
$70 |
| Dental Assisting National Board Examination: |
$450 |
| 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.
Additional Admission Requirements
Students must take the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) for Career & Technical Education (CTE) Reading and Math skills and achieve specified minimum scores or meet exemption requirements for admission for this program (See an Academic Advisor for exemption criteria).
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Meet with a counselor/advisor for placement test evaluation or exemption criteria and to receive advice on course selection and registration.
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This is a Limited Access Program. Continuing enrollment approval will be required to enroll in the program specific courses based on a selection process.
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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).
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Applicants must have a standard high school diploma (or GED) and be at least 18 years of age to enroll.
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Score on the placement test for vocational certification programs (AE-CASAS) indicating reading and math skills at a 11th grade level or higher. Applicants who started high school in the 9th grade in 2003 or after at a Florida Public high school AND graduated from a Florida Public high school with a standard high school diploma are exempt from any placement testing. Active duty military applicants are also exempt from any placement testing. Those applicants who have successfully completed college level English and/or Math may be exempt as well. All other applicants will be required to take the AE-CASAS test. Contact an Academic Advisor for assistance.
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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).
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Completion of health screening to include: recent physical examination and verification of immunization against tetanus-diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, and Hepatitis B; and a negative PPD test (or chest x-ray if indicated) for tuberculosis are required prior to the start of Fall semester courses.
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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.
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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.
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OST1330 Business English may be used to satisfy the prerequisite requirement for SPC2608 Oral Communications/Research/Presentation Skills in this program.
Additional Completion Requirements
Students must take the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) for Career & Technical Education (CTE) Reading and Math skills and achieve specified minimum scores or meet exemption requirements to graduate from this program (See an Academic Advisor for exemption criteria).
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Meet with a counselor/advisor for placement test evaluation or exemption criteria and to receive advice on course selection and registration.
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Submit completed School of Dental Sciences application for continuing enrollment to the Academic Advisor in the College of Health and Public Services. Applications are accepted anytime during the year.
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Completion of a minimum of eight (8) observation hours of a dental assistant in a general dentistry facility is required before submitting an application for continuing enrollment.
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Student selection for continuing enrollment is based on specific admission criteria and a points system. Selection is made once a year. The Program starts annually in July.
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Combined cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better is required to submit an application for continuing enrollment.
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Applicants with higher cumulative GPAs and successful completion of all corequisite courses will be considered more favorably for continuing enrollment.
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. For additional career information, please see: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9091.00.
Program Length: The length of this program is four (4) semesters (42 weeks) for a full-time student. The Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program (FETPIP) lists the placement rate (2021-22) for this field at 91%.
CIP Code (6 digit) - 51.0601
Note: It’s never too early to prepare for your career! Login to your Daytona State Career Services Student Job Board and create your personal account to submit your resume for review and search for jobs, and practice your interview skills with Big Interview. For questions, please email Career Services to connect with a Career Advisor.
Program Specific Courses
ENC1101: Prior to enrollment in college-level English, some students may be advised to complete college preparatory/developmental course work. See an Academic Advisor to determine developmental course requirements.>
SPC2608: OST1330 may be used to satisfy the prerequisite requirement for SPC2608 in this program.
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
ENC1101: Prior to enrollment in college-level English, some students may be advised to complete college preparatory/developmental course work. See an Academic Advisor to determine developmental course requirements.
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)