Dental Assisting, Registered

The Registered Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and approved by the Dental Board of California (DBC). Students receive theory as well as hands on training in a state of the art lab in order to prepare for a career in dentistry. Upon completion students are eligible for employment in a dental office as a dental assistant or administrative assistant, dental lab, clinic, dental school, or hospital. This comprehensive education includes:
- The preparation and use of dental materials
- Assisting the dentist chairside
- Use and Identification of dental instruments
- Anatomy and physiology
- Dental Specialties
- Dental Radiation Health and Safety Certification
- Infection Control Certification
- Coronal Polishing Certification
- California Law and Ethics Certification
- Practice Management
Students have direct patient contact during radiology, coronal polishing, sealants and two clinical rotations totaling 300 hours in a local dental office and Western University.
Students who complete the program earn a certificate of completion and 31.5 units which can be applied to an A.S. Degree in Dental Assisting and are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board Examination Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) as well as the Registered Dental Assistant Examination (RDA).

Faculty

NameOffice Room NumberPhoneEmail
Brewster, Dawn PC 220626-914-8728dbrewster@citruscollege.edu
Gonzales, Rina PC 220626-914-8727rgonzales@citruscollege.edu

Contact Information

Division
Natural, Physical and Health Sciences
Dean
Noemi Barajas (Interim Health Sciences Director)
Administrative Secretary
Elisa MacDuff
Division Office
PC 204
Division Phone Number
626-914-8720

This discipline prepares students to do the following:

  • Use correct dental terminology and nomenclature in the correct context in order to effectively communicate dental information and concepts to others.
  • Develop problem-solving and self-assessment skills and make appropriate decisions regarding a variety of procedural situations.
  • Demonstrate the ability to interact with patients and work effectively as a member of the dental team.
  • Maintain the standard of care during dental treatment and promote oral health.
  • Develop the ability to use and adapt to current technology used in dental practices.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the current duties of an RDA, practicing within the delegated duties (scope of practice).
  • Develop foundational knowledge of dental procedures and the ability to communicate and apply their concepts and principles.

DENT 100
Dental Assisting Basics
2.5 Units (AA/AS)
45 lecture hours

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Strongly recommended: ENGL 101.

This course will give the beginning dental assisting student a foundational knowledge of basic terminology, structures of the oral cavity, tooth morphology, tissues of the teeth, charting, oral health care, and nutrition. The student will be oriented to the profession of dentistry in terms of governing bodies, professional organizations, ethics and jurisprudence.

DENT 102
Dental Materials
3 Units (AA/AS)
36 lecture hours, 62 lab hours

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): DENT 100 or concurrent enrollment and DENT 122 or concurrent enrollment.

This course presents the basic physical and technical aspects of dental materials utilized in restorative, and laboratory dental procedures. It is designed to develop the manipulative skills necessary for the application of these materials.

DENT 104
Chairside Assisting
4 Units (AA/AS)
45 lecture hours, 99 lab hours
Equivalent to: DENT 101

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): DENT 100 and DENT 122.

This lecture/lab course provides preclinical instruction in four-handed dentistry techniques and prepares the student to assist a dentist at chairside. Content includes: the use and care of dental equipment, oral evacuation, instrument transfer, tray setups, infection control/disease transmission, preparation of anesthetic syringe, dental dam, tofflemire matrix, cavity preparation, and rotary and hand instruments. Emphasis is placed on the responsibilities of a chairside dental assistant during general restorative procedures.

DENT 121
Human Anatomy for the Dental Professional
2 Units (AA/AS)
36 lecture hours

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): DENT 100 or concurrent enrollment.

The study of the basic structure and function of the human anatomy as it relates to the oral cavity. This course provides instruction on oral histology and embryology, head and neck anatomy, and oral pathology with emphasis on their relationship to and affect on dental treatment.

DENT 122
Infection Control in the Dental Office
1.5 Units (AA/AS)
27 lecture hours

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): DENT 100 or concurrent enrollment.

This course is designed to prepare the dental assistant in the prevention of disease transmission in the work environment. Emphasis is placed on knowledge of the infectious disease process, use of barriers, sterilization, disinfection, OSHA requirements, and the concept of standard precautions.

DENT 123
Healthcare for the Dental Patient
2 Units (AA/AS)
36 lecture hours

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): DENT 100 or concurrent enrollment.

Fundamental skills involved in assessing the dental patient's health, the effect on dental treatment and the adjustments to dental treatment needed to protect the physical welfare of the patient. This class provides instruction on health history, vital signs, recognition and management of medical emergencies, and pharmacology (including drug/opioid addiction).

DENT 124
Dental Specialties
2 Units (AA/AS)
36 lecture hours

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): DENT 100 or concurrent enrollment.

The scope of this course includes instruction in the fundamental principals, instrumentation and procedures of various dental specialities with emphasis on the role of the auxilary in each speciality.

DENT 125
Dental Practice Management
2 Units (AA/AS)
42 lecture hours

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): DENT 100; DENT 102 or DENT 104.

This course is designed to provide instruction in the application of skills and responsibilities of a business assistant in a dental practice. Fundamentals in basic bookkeeping procedures, communication skills, appointment scheduling, dental insurance, records management, employment preparation, and banking/financial procedures. Instruction includes integration of material through lecture, practical experience and the use of computers.

DENT 201
Dental Radiology
2 Units (AA/AS)
18 lecture hours, 54 lab hours

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): DENT 100, DENT 104 and DENT 122.

This course encompasses the preclinical and clinical instruction in radiation safety, exposing, processing and mounting of radiographs utilizing traditional and digital methods.

DENT 202
Advanced Dental Specialties
4 Units (AA/AS)
60 lecture hours, 46 lab hours

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): DENT 100, DENT 102, DENT 104, and DENT 122.

Strongly recommended: ENGL 101.

The scope of this course includes instruction in the fundamental principals, instrumentation and procedures of various dental specialties with emphasis on the role of the auxiliary in each specialty.

DENT 203
Dental Practice Experience
5.5 Units (AA/AS)
300 lab hours

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass

Prerequisite(s): DENT 102, DENT 122, DENT 124, and DENT 201.

This course provides the student with the opportunity for application and performance of acquired knowledge and skills while assuming the role of a chairside assistant in a dental school setting or private dental office. This course may be taken two times. Offered for Pass/No Pass grading only.

DENT 204
Preventative Clinical Procedures
1 Unit (AA/AS)
12 lecture hours, 28 lab hours

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): DENT 102, DENT 104, DENT 121, DENT 122, DENT 123; DENT 203 or concurrent enrollment; Students must complete 180 hours of rotation in general dentistry during DENT 203 prior to starting this class.

This course covers those duties requiring clinical competence for the RDA: coronal polishing, pit & fissure sealants and mouth mirror inspection.

DENT 205
RDA/CDA Exam Review
2 Units (AA/AS)
36 lecture hours

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): DENT 100, DENT 102, DENT 104, DENT 121, DENT 122, DENT 123, DENT 124, DENT 125, and DENT 201.

This course contains a review of the RDA program content and will prepare the student for the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) state licensure exam and the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) national certification exam.

DENT 698A
Cooperative Education
1 Unit (AA/AS)
60 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): The student must be simultaneously enrolled in a class that relates to the Cooperative Education class.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to Dental Assisting at their place of volunteer employment or training sites.

DENT 698B
Cooperative Education
2 Units (AA/AS)
120 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): The student must be simultaneously enrolled in a class that relates to the Cooperative Education class.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to Dental Assisting at their place of volunteer employment or training sites.

DENT 698C
Cooperative Education
3 Units (AA/AS)
180 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): The student must be simultaneously enrolled in a class that relates to the Cooperative Education class.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to Dental Assisting at their place of volunteer employment or training sites.

DENT 698D
Cooperative Education
4 Units (AA/AS)
240 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): The student must be simultaneously enrolled in a class that relates to the Cooperative Education class.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to Dental Assisting at their place of volunteer employment or training sites.

DENT 699A
Cooperative Education
1 Unit (AA/AS)
75 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): The student must be simultaneously enrolled in a class that relates to the Cooperative Education class.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to Dental Assisting at their place of paid employment or training sites.

DENT 699B
Cooperative Education
2 Units (AA/AS)
150 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): The student must be simultaneously enrolled in a class that relates to the Cooperative Education class.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to Dental Assisting at their place of paid employment or training sites.

DENT 699C
Cooperative Education
3 Units (AA/AS)
225 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): The student must be simultaneously enrolled in a class that relates to the Cooperative Education class.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to Dental Assisting at their place of paid employment or training sites.

DENT 699D
Cooperative Education
4 Units (AA/AS)
300 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): The student must be simultaneously enrolled in a class that relates to the Cooperative Education class.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to Dental Assisting at their place of paid employment or training sites.

Associate Degree

Certificate of Achievement