Dental Assisting Degree and Certificates
Sample Curriculum
A dental assistant is a skilled and essential member of the dental health care team in the delivery of preventive and restorative dentistry. The continuing demand for dental assistants makes this program an opportunity for a productive career. In addition to the prescribed coursework, a minimum of 300 clinical hours is required to complete the degree. Students must provide their own transportation to their clinical sites. A complete physical examination, criminal background check and drug screen is required prior to the beginning of the clinical experience. A Hepatitis B vaccination is strongly recommended.
First Year
Dental Assisting Classes Offered Only in the Fall Semester
- DEA 102 Principles of Clinical Practice (3 credits)
- DEA 120 Introduction to Dental Practices* (1 credit)
- DEA 121 Dental Science I* (3 credits)
- DEA 123 Dental Materials I (3 credits)
- DEA 125 Dental Radiography (3 credits)
- DEA 126 Infection Control (3 credits)
- DEA 132 Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office (2 credits)
*DEA 120 and 121 are also offered in the spring semester
18 Total Fall Credits
Dental Assisting Classes Offered ONLY in the Spring Semester
- DEA 104 Specialties of Dentistry (2 credits)
- DEA 111 Dental Office Management (2 credits)
- DEA 122 Dental Science II (3 credits)
- DEA 124 Dental Materials II (3 credits)
- DEA 131 Advanced Dental Radiography (3 credits)
- DEA 134 Prevention and Nutrition in Dentistry (3 credits)
- DEA 181 Clinical Internship I (1 credits)
17 Total Spring Credits
Dental Assisting Classes Offered ONLY in the Summer Semester
- DEA 140 Dental Assisting National Board Review (1 credits)
- DEA 182 Clinical Internship II (6 credits)
7 Total Summer Credits
Second Year
Dental Assisting Classes Offered ONLY in the Fall Semester
- DEA 200 Introduction to Expanded Functions (4 credits)
Dental Assisting Classes Offered ONLY in the Spring Semester
- DEA 205 Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary (4 credits)
8 Total Credits
Required General Education Courses (6.5 credits for Certificate, 15.5 for Associate of Applied Science)
- HPR 102 CPR for Professionals (Prior to DEA 181) (.5 credits)
- CIS 118 Introduction to PC Applications (3 credits)
- ENG 121 English Composition 1 (3 credits)
- Communication Course (Choose 1) (3 credits)
- COM 115 Public Speaking
- COM 125 Interpersonal Communication
- COM 225 Organizational Communication
- PSY 101 General Psychology I (3 credits)
- MAT 107 Career Math (3 credits)
Total Credit Hours:
Certificate - 48.5
Associate of Applied Science - 64.5