Are you interested in putting a smile on someone else’s face? If so, a career in the high-demand field of dental assisting may be the program for you.
Approved by the California Board of Dental Examiners, Allan Hancock College’s two-semester dental assisting program gives students the technical skills needed to become a member of a dental health team in a variety of general and specialized dentistry fields.
Classes are taught by practicing professionals who use directed lectures, demonstrations, guided practice, written assignments, exams, and skill evaluations to prepare students to take and pass the Registered Dental Assisting State Board Exam and the Law and Ethics examination. Students learn general chairside and specialty procedures, infection control techniques, and front-office skills.
The program offers an opportunity for students to practice their skills by providing dental care to the underserved populations of Santa Maria and culminates with a 200-hour internship in which students get professional experience working in a real dental office.
This program helps you to:
- perform Registered Dental Assistant duties as specified by accreditation standards
- develop a working knowledge of infection control protocols
- demonstrate office management/computer skills including scheduling, inventory management, ordering supplies, treatment planning and patient charting
- complete requirements to obtain certificates in x-ray, pit and fissure sealants, and coronal polishing
- model professional conduct and appearance and demonstrate behavior of the dental workplace
- assist in diagnostic and operative procedures by demonstrating general chairside skills
MORE DENTAL ASSISTING INFORMATION
Degrees and Certificates Offered
Each program has unique requirements. The order in which you take courses may affect your completion time. Visit the links below to view the program requirements and a general semester-by-semester course schedule.
Associate in Science- Dental Assisting
Certificate of Achievement- Dental Assisting
To view all available degrees and certificates visit the Allan Hancock College course catalog.
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Contact Information
Dean: Thomas Lamica
Department Chair: Megan McComas
Department Program Technician: Tawnya Karstrom
Administrative Assistant: Elena Gaytan
LOCATION
Santa Maria Campus, M-100 building
Map of Building M Locations
Telephone extension: 3384
Fax number: 922-1403
