Healthcare Pathway

Dental Assisting

Associate in Applied Science

TJ teaching RAD

You understand the importance of health and peace of mind—whether you're tending to a patient, studying diseases, providing dietary counsel, or documenting important medical information, our Healthcare Pathway will set you on a course to making a difference every day.

At the completion of the Dental Assisting Program, the successful student will be able to:

  • Effectively, independently, and efficiently perform technical supportive services that registered dental assistants in Washington State may perform. 
  • Provide comprehensive supportive care to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  • Demonstrate professionalism, ethical decision-making, effective communication, and responsibility while providing care and when collaborating with other dental team members .
  • Maintain safe environments in the dental setting by following current state and federal standards.
  • Measure, record, interpret, evaluate, and report data in both clinical and office settings.

Program Costs

In addition to tuition & fees, other costs (approximate and subject to change) are:

  • Hepatitis B vaccination $250
  • Tuberculosis clearance $100
  • Malpractice insurance $17
  • Name tag $15
  • Printing $50
  • Basic Life Support (CPR) training $80
  • Textbooks and supplies $300
  • Lab fees $1000
  • National Board exam $524
  • Uniforms and shoes $300
  • Clinical uniform scrub fee $150

Uniform information will be provided during the mandatory orientation held before the start of program for those accepted into the program 

Earning the Degree

An Associate in Applied Science Degree will be awarded upon successful completion of a minimum of 90 credits in courses numbered 100 or above. All core and general education distribution requirements must be met, with any additional credits to be selected as electives. Courses coded DENT must be taken in succession. All DENT courses and general education requirements must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to continue in and complete the program.

The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements”. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda

Quarter Plan

Search Schedule

Quarter 1

Students have several options for their starting point. Some students may start in our Transition Studies programs: Adult Basic Education, ESL, High School+, and Basic Computer Skills.

Quarter 2

Choose One:

ENGL090 5cr Integrated Reading and Writing I
Introduces students to college-level reading and writing. Focuses on reading strategies, critical thinking, and writing unified paragraphs. ENGL 090 classes are combined with ENGL 095 classes, and students who demonstrate ENGL 095 proficiency may earn ENGL 095 credit. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement or an �S� in ABE 054, ABE 055, ESL 065, ESL 066, IE 065, or IE 066.
-OR-
ENGL095 5cr Integrated Reading and Writing II
Prepares students for entry into college-level writing courses. Focuses on reading analytically, thinking critically, and writing coherent, well-supported texts. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement based on Reading & English CPT scores or transition test.
Choose One:

MATH092 5cr Mathematical Reasoning
Introduces operations with rational numbers, applications, problem solving skills, expressions, solving linear equations, and graphing linear relationships.
-OR-
ABE065 5cr Contextualized Math II
Introduces operations with rational numbers, applications and problem solving skills, expressions, solving linear equations, and graphing linear relationships through direct instruction and contextualized application. Prepares students for high school completion, employment, or MATH& 107/MATH& 146 with concurrent MATH 096 enrollment. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement or an 'S' in ABE 064 or a 'U, P, V, W' in ABE 065.

MED103 3cr Medical Terminology I
Explores medical terminology by combining word roots, suffixes, and prefixes. Emphasizes definitions, pronunciation, spelling, and usage in various health care professions. Prerequisite: None.

CCS101 3cr Pathways to Success
Cultivates the mind-set and skills necessary for students to become confident, reflective, self-directing, and successful learners.

Quarter 3

Choose One:

ENGL098 5cr Transitional English Composition
Introduces strategies and techniques writers use to convey ideas and participate in multiple discourse communities. Focuses on both the process and product of composing. English 098 classes are combined with English 101 classes, and students who demonstrate English 101 proficiency may earn ENGL& 101 credit. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement OR a 'C' or better in ENGL 095. Fees: $12.00 Humanities/Communications Course Fee
-OR-
ENGL&101 5cr English Composition I
Develops strategies and techniques writers use to convey ideas and participate in multiple discourse communities. Focuses on both the process and product of composing. Fees: $12.00 Humanities/Communications Course Fee
Choose One:

CMATH107 5cr Clippers Math In Society
Gives students the opportunity to complete MATH& 107 in one quarter with prerequisite support as needed. Explores a variety of mathematical topics presenting mathematics as an art and as a tool for understanding the world around us. Designed for non-science majors. Specific topics may be drawn from geometry, number theory, set theory, and the history of mathematics. Students will earn credit for either MATH 095 or MATH& 107 at the conclusion of the course. CLIPPERS courses combine the prerequisite courses with the college-level course and are taught with a focus on video-based instruction. Fees: $12.00 Natural Applied Science Course Fee
-OR-
CMATH146 7cr Clippers Introduction to Statistics
Gives students the opportunity to complete MATH& 146 in one quarter with prerequisite support, as needed. Covers basic probability and descriptive and inferential statistics. Students will earn credit for either MATH 095 and MATH 096 or MATH 096 and MATH& 146 at the conclusion of the course. CLIPPERS courses combine the prerequisite courses with the college-level course and are taught with a focus on video-based instruction. . Fees: $12.00 Natural Applied Science Course Fee
Choose One Communications (5cr)
Recommended:

CMST&101 5cr Introduction to Communication
Focuses on understanding and developing basic intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, intercultural, and public speech communication skills. Examines how human communication processes are practiced and applied in a variety of personal and professional contexts. Prerequisite: None. Fees: $12.00 Humanities/Communications Course Fee
-OR-
ENGL&235 5cr Technical Writing
Introduces technical writing skills necessary to communicate effectively in the workplace. Emphasizes written documents, successful teamwork strategies, and ethical considerations in workplace communication. Fees: $12.00 Humanities/Communications Course Fee
-OR-
CMST&210 5cr Interpersonal Communication: Diversity
Focuses on understanding and developing interpersonal communication skills needed to build and maintain healthy one-on-one relationships in both personal and professional contexts. Examines how diverse communication styles can impact relationships. Prerequisite: None. Fees: $12.00 Humanities/Communications Course Fee
-OR-
CMST&220 5cr Public Speaking
Introduces oral communication theory and public speaking/listening practice as applied to a variety of settings and audiences. Students will learn to verbally inform and persuade an audience using a variety of speech types. Prerequisite: None. Fees: $12.00 Humanities/Communications Course Fee
-OR-
CMST&230 5cr Small Group Communication: Diversity
Introduces small group communication theories and concepts with applications. Explores the communication processes used when people enter diverse organizational contexts or interact in professional and everyday life small groups. Prerequisite: None. Fees: $12.00 Humanities/Communications Course Fee

Quarter 4

DENT101 3cr Intro to Dental Assisting Theory
Introduces the overall dental office environment and the role of the dental assistant. Covers the principles of infection and hazard control in the dental setting. Focuses on patient and dental healthcare worker education, and standard/universal precautions.

DENT110 1cr Intro to Dental Assisting Lab
Covers aseptic techniques and infection control procedures in the dental setting, course is in hands-on laboratory environment Fees: $40.00 Dental Hygiene Course Fee
Choose One Human Relations (5cr)
Recommended:

HUM121 5cr Multicultural America: Diversity
Explores the history, cultures, and contributions of race and ethnic groups in the United States and the complex notion of an 'American' identity. Analyzes the impacts of power, privilege, and socialization on our understanding of race and ethnicity. Fees: $12.00 Humanities/Communications Course Fee
-OR-
PSYC116 5cr Psychology of Human Relations: Diversity
Introduces students to the psychology of human relationships. Examines how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors impact communication in a multicultural world. Fees: $12.00 Social Science/Business Course Fee
-OR-
CMST&210 5cr Interpersonal Communication: Diversity
Focuses on understanding and developing interpersonal communication skills needed to build and maintain healthy one-on-one relationships in both personal and professional contexts. Examines how diverse communication styles can impact relationships. Prerequisite: None. Fees: $12.00 Humanities/Communications Course Fee
-OR-
CMST&230 5cr Small Group Communication: Diversity
Introduces small group communication theories and concepts with applications. Explores the communication processes used when people enter diverse organizational contexts or interact in professional and everyday life small groups. Prerequisite: None. Fees: $12.00 Humanities/Communications Course Fee
-OR-
CMST&240 5cr Intercultural Communication: Diversity
Introduces intercultural communication theories and concepts with applications. Explores the communication processes when people enter new cultural context or interact with people who have different cultural identities. Fees: $12.00 Humanities/Communications Course Fee
-OR-
BUS260 5cr Principles of Management: Diversity
Describes the functions of management with an emphasis on current management issues, including the impact of diversity in the workplace. Fees: $12.00 Social Science & Business Course Fee

Quarter 5

DENT141 1cr Ethics and Jurisprudence
Introduces ethics and jurisprudence. Covers the Washington State Dental Practice Act and traditional and expanded roles of dental healthcare workers. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into the Dental Assisting program.

DENT142 1cr Dental Radiography I Lab
Provides students an opportunity to practice radiographic techniques on manikins, and patients correlating activities to DENT 160 Theory. Students expose bitewing radiographs on manikins and live patients

DENT151 4cr Dental Sciences I Theory
Explores instruments & restorative materials used for a variety of dental procedures, including properties, identification, sequence of�use,�tray set-ups, transfer, grasps, & anesthetics. Fees: $275.00 Dental Hygiene Course Fee

DENT152 4cr Dental Anatomy Theory
Identifies intra oral and extra oral structures, including the body systems emphasizing anatomy and physiology of the head and neck.

DENT153 2cr Dental Sciences I Lab
Explores the use of instruments, materials, & anesthetics for a variety of dental procedures.

DENT155 3cr Chairside Assisting I Theory
Introduces students to basic chairside assisting techniques and focuses on patient provider communication

DENT156 2cr Chairside Assisting I Lab
Builds upon learned communication skills with patients by performing basic patient management and chairside skills. Fees: $130.00 Dental Hygiene Course Fee; $20.00 Student MalPractice Insurance Fee

DENT162 2cr Dental Specialties Theory
Discusses the specialty of endodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, orthodontics, and pedodontics.

Quarter 6

DENT160 2cr Dental Radiography I Theory
Introduces basic principles of dental radiography, radiographic physics, protection and safety guidelines and how to correctly mount and identify diagnostically acceptable radiograph.

DENT161 4cr Dental Sciences II Theory
Introduces dental impressions, laboratory procedures and methods of providing preventative dental care. Fees: $275.00 Dental Hygiene Course Fee

DENT164 2cr Chairside Assisting II Lab
Performs expanded functions and techniques on dental mannequins and patients using various dental equipment.

DENT165 3cr Chairside Assisting II Theory
Covers rotary instruments, placement of dental dams, and matrices and wedges

DENT172 2cr Dental Radiography II Lab
Perform advanced radiographic exposures on adult and child mannequins using a variety of techniques.

DENT166 2cr Program Clinic Practicum I
Provides hands-on learning through the program�s Campus Dental Clinic to work on supportive�services that may be performed by registered dental assistants in Washington State while assisting�dentists in the delivery of dental services to patients from the community at large.

Quarter 7

DENT170 2cr Dental Radiography II Theory
Covers advanced radiographic techniques and exposure using the paralleling and bisecting techniques. Includes technique errors, various holding devices, quality assessment, extraoral imaging, and digital radiography. Students expose various radiographs on manikins and live patients.�

DENT171 4cr Dental Sciences III Theory
Covers dental oral appliances fabricated from study models, their uses, and how to care for them. Fees: $275.00 Dental Hygiene Course Fee

DENT173 1cr Dental Sciences III Lab
Applies techniques for the fabrication and care of removable dental appliances.

DENT174 1cr Chairside Assisting III Lab
Covers the Dental Assistant role and emphasis is placed on employment skills like cover letters, first impression, resumes, interviews and working interviews.

DENT175 3cr Chairside Assisting III Theory
Covers nonclinical functions, interpersonal communication and professionalism within the office, office management, recall programs and insurance, appointment control, accounts receivable and payable, computer skills, practice management as well as ethics, jurisprudence and HIPAA.

DENT176 2cr Program Clinic Practicum II
Provides students hands-on learning through the program�s Campus Dental Clinic, and observations in area dental offices, to work on supportive services that may be performed by registered dental assistants in Washington State while assisting dentists in the delivery of dental services to patients from the community at large.

DENT179 1cr Dental Specialties Lab
Examines the instruments, materials, and appliances used in the specialties of endodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, orthodontics, and pedodontics.

Quarter 8

DENT180 8cr Externship Practicum
Provides students hands-on learning through externship sites to work on supportive services that may�be performed by registered dental assistants in Washington State while assisting dentists in the�delivery of dental services to patients.

DENT181 2cr DANB Exam Prep
Prepares the student to take the Dental Assisting National Board Exam and become a Certified Dental�Assistant.

Revision Date: 
Thursday, December 28, 2023