Dental Assistant - CERT
The CODA accredited Dental Assisting program at LCC is a full time one year program beginning in the fall, with sequential classes through the spring semester and summer term. All pre-requisites must be completed before admission into the fall cohort. Students will be required to complete a total of 300- non-monetary off-campus externship clinical practicum hours during the spring semester and summer term. Each student is responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from the clinic site.
To become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), national certification through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), an individual must obtain certification from an accredited dental assisting program. Those individuals desiring to stay in the state can obtain certification in Radiation Health and Safety, along with other state required functions, such as coronal polish, pit and fissure sealants, and topical fluoride application, through the NM State Board of Dental Health Care.
All individuals interested in the Dental Assistant Certificate program should be aware that the dental field does have some risk of occupational hazards. The nature of the occupation could involve contact with infectious diseases including but not limited to AIDS and Hepatitis. All students admitted to the program will receive proper instruction in standard biohazard precautions and in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce the risk of contracting blood borne pathogens.
Completion of this certificate can be applied toward the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Vocational/Technical Studies.
Institutional Proficiency Requirement:
In addition to the courses listed below for this program of study, students may also have to complete institutional proficiency in Math and English.
Degree Requirements
The follow degree requirements are for the 2019-2021 Catalog. For other catalogs, please see CatalogsMinimum of 36 Credit Hours
| Program Pre-requisites (24 credit hours) | ||
|---|---|---|
| AH113 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| BCIS1110 | Intro to Information Systems | 3 |
| BIOL1110 | General Biology | 3 |
| BIOL1110L | General Biology Lab | 1 |
| BIOL2210 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| BIOL2210L | Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM1120 | Introduction to Chemistry(Non-Majors) | 3 |
| CHEM1120L | Introduction to Chemistry Lab(Non-Majors) | 1 |
| COMM1130 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| COMM2120 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| ENGL1110 | Composition I | 3 |
| MATH102 | Math Preparation & Pre-Algebra | 5 |
| PSYC1110 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| All courses listed above are required as pre-requisites for entry into the Dental Program | ||
| Program Requirements (36 credit hours) | ||
|---|---|---|
| DENT103 | Dental Materials | 5 |
| DENT109 | Prevntv Dentistry/Oral Hlth Care | 1 |
| DENT118 | Dental Assisting | 3 |
| DENT128 | Community Field Experience | 1 |
| DENT145 | Bio-Dental Science | 3 |
| DENT160 | Dental Radiology | 4 |
| DENT167 | Oral Medicine | 2 |
| DENT170 | Clinical Training/Practicum I | 7 |
| DENT209 | Professional Ethics | 2 |
| DENT220 | Dental Office Management | 2 |
| DENT226 | Dental Pharmacology | 1 |
| DENT233 | Laboratory Procedures | 2 |
| DENT270 | Clinical Training/Practicum II | 3 |
Bloodborne Pathogen Risk Statement
All individuals interested in pursuing the Dental Assistant Certificate should be aware that the dental field does have some risk of occupational hazards. The nature of the occupation could involve contact with infectious diseases, including AIDS and Hepatitis. All students admitted to the program will receive proper instruction in standard precautions and use of personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of blood and body fluid exposures.
Dental Assisting Certificate Curriculum Profile 2015-2018
Dental Assisting Program Student Handbook 2018-2019
Occupational Opportunities