Dental
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Dental Assistant

Certificate

The Dental Assistant Certificate of Completion program has been granted full accreditation by the American Dental Association. This program prepares students for entry level employment within the dental industry. Students are taught chair-side dental assisting through lecture, hands-on experience and 275 hours of mandatory clinical experience in the workplace.

Coursework includes anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, clinical procedures, and specialty dental courses that prepare the student for employment following completion of the program.

Estimated Length of Completion

Degree Quarters Credits
Certificate Full Time: 4
Part Time: Part Time Option Not Available		 60.0

Program lengths are estimates, not guarantees. For the most current program information, please check with the program contact.

Additional information:

Below is a program presentation from our faculty.

There are no entry requirements for this program

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor to discuss specific career goals and recommended coursework.

For current employment and wage estimates, please visit the following online resources and search for the relevant occupational term:

All costs are estimates and are not guarantees. For the most current program information, check with an adviser by calling (206) 934-4068. There are additional costs for books and supplies. Each student is responsible for the purchase of certain supplies and required tools before the instruction begins.

Full Time Cost

Quarter Credits Resident Non-Resident International
1 16 $1,653.66 $1,841.48 $3,708.26
2 17 $1,716.62 $1,905.41 $3,779.42
3 15 $1,590.70 $1,777.55 $3,637.10
4 12 $1,401.82 $1,585.76 $3,423.62

The following fee is associated with the program:

  • Books and supplies: $1,750

Hours may vary based on specific program requirements.

Coursework

Course Course ID Credits Availability

Learn core skills applicable to all health disciplines.

 AHE 126 3.0

Designed to help students develop a foundation for a life-time of study skills combined with strategies for optimizing their effectiveness in the classroom setting. In addition, this course will cover the history of dentistry and the components of the dental healthcare team.

DAST 110 1.0

Students are introduced to dental biosciences with emphasis on the head, neck, and oral health sciences. The course includes dental terminology, as well as OSHA and other regulatory agency standards impacting dental practice.

DAST 111 6.0

Designed to introduce the student to clinical and laboratory settings while applying infection control and universal precautions according to OSHA and other regulatory agencies' standards. Students will apply knowledge of dental sciences and employ preventive dentistry as well as demonstrate safe handling of sharps according to OSHA and other regulatory agencies' standards.

DAST 112 4.0

The study of dental disease prevention, nutritional impact on oral diseases, and community dental health.

DAST 114 2.0
Course Course ID Credits Availability

A study of pre-clinical chairside assisting procedures. Composition, properties, procedures and safety standards related to dental materials.

DAST 121 4.0

This lab and clinical course is an introduction of basic concepts and principles of chairside dental assisting.

DAST 122 7.0

Focuses on ethics and law in dentistry, and modeling of the American Dental Assistants Association's professional Code of Ethics.

DAST 123 2.0

Designed to provide a foundation of the principles and application of dental radiology. Students learn about theory, safety, and application of oral radiographic techniques.

DAST 124 2.0

Designed to create radiology proficiency. The student will safely expose, process, and mount dental radiographs while professionally interacting and ensuring patient ease and comfort.

DAST 125 2.0

Prepares the student to take the DANB for CDA certification, as well as self-market.

DAST 133 2.0
Course Course ID Credits Availability

Designed to introduce dental software programs that support aspects of office procedures.

DAST 113 1.0

Provides the foundational knowledge to acquire the skills necessary to assist in general and dental specialty practices, including advanced dental assisting functions.

DAST 131 3.0

This lab/clinical course is designed for the student to apply chairside four-handed dentistry in a clinical setting while continuing to develop advanced dental assisting functions necessary in general and specialty practices.

DAST 132 10.0
Course Course ID Credits Availability

This final program course is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to perfect dental assisting competence through experiential practicum.

DAST 140 12.0