The Foothill College Dental Assisting Program is an intensive 10-month sequence of instruction. Students who complete the program successfully will qualify for the Registered Dental Assisting Examination of the State of California and the Dental Assisting National Board exam. The program offers a combination of lecture, laboratory and clinical courses in general & specialty dental practices. Students who graduate from the program are in high demand and have many different types of job opportunities available upon completion of the program.

Graduates of the program can have direct patient interaction by working as a chairside dental assistant in a general practice dental office or in any of the other specialty practices including periodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery, pedodontics (children’s dentistry), endodontics, & prosthodontics. In addition dental assistants can work in the front office as a receptionist and/or office manager. Other job opportunities include public health educator or administrator, sales representative, continuing education coordinator, and consultant.

• English proficiency: ENGL 1A, ESL 26 or equivalent.
• Mathematics proficiency: MATH 105 or equivalent.
A minimum of 90 units required to include:
• All General Education requirements
• Required courses (44.5 Units)
• electives & other graduation requirements as appropriate.

NOTE: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a GPA of 2.0 or higher is required in all Core and Support courses for the Degree or Certificates. All courses must be passed with a grade "C" or higher.

AS = Associate in Science Degree.
CA = Certificate of Achievement.

PREREQUISITES:
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A GPA of 2.0 or higher.
APPLICATION INFORMATION:
• Applications are available year-round at www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/dentala
• Application deadline: Applications are accepted after September 15th for the incoming Fall class. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and turn in a complete application are awarded a provisional acceptance to the program pending receipt of all documentation. Program is filled on a first-come-first-serve basis.
• Transcripts: High school and college transcripts are required for all applicants.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Program application: Kerry West (650)949-7538 September to July.
Counseling: Please contact the Counseling appointment desk at (650) 949-7423 to make an appointment.

Program information can be found at the Dental Assisting Program website www.foothill.edu/bio/programs/dentala

NOTE: Physical examinations and immunizations are required for clinical internships. Background screening including possible felony convictions, social security number verification, and drug testing may be required by clinical facilities. Positive results could impact a student's chances of attending clinics, completing the program requirements or gaining a license to practice upon graduation. The cost of required physical examinations, background screenings and drug tests will be paid by the student. Students accepted into the program will be provided with specific details.

Fall Quarter
DA 50 Orientation to Dental Assisting (2.5 Units)
DA 51A Introduction to Chairside Dental Assisting (5.5 Units)
DA 62A Dental Sciences (2 Units)
DA 53A Introduction to Radiography (3 Units)
DA 58 Specialty Practice Procedures (1 Unit)
DA 71 Infection Control & Hazardous Waste Management (1.5 Units)

Winter Quarter
DA 51B Intermediate Clinical Dental Assisting (2 Units)
DA 57 Office Emergency Procedures (2 Units)
DA 62B Dental Sciences (2 Units)
DA 53B Dental Radiography (2 Units)
DA 56 Dental Health Education (1 Unit)
DA 60A Dental Office Business Practices (2 Units)
DA 73 Dental Assisting Supervising Clinic (3 Units)

Spring Quarter
DA 51C Advance Dental Assisting Skills (3 Units)
DA 53C Dental Radiography (1 Unit)
DA 62C Dental Sciences (2 Units)
DA 60B Dental Office Business Practices (3 Units)
DA 63 Special Patient Populations (1 Unit)
DA 74 Dental Assisting Clinical Practice (3 Units)
DA 85 RDA Review (1 Unit)

Summer Session
DA 88 Pit & Fissure Sealants (1.5 units)

• Core Courses (44.5 Units)
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (Health Care Provider, American Heart Association
• Eligibility for ENGL 110 (or equivalent) or ESL 25 (or equivalent)
• MATH 230 completion (or equivalent on the Foothill College Math Assessment Test.