Dental

PROGRAM START DATE:  September 5, 2012

Welcome to the Dental Assistant Bridge Program

The Dental Assistant Bridge (DEN) program is a collaborative educational program being offered through a partnership between Skagit Valley College (SVC), Bellingham Technical College (BTC), and the Northwest Career and Technical Academy (NCTA).  The Academy occupies a new building on the SVC campus and opened its doors to students September 2010.  The Academy specializes in hands-on professional-technical training taught by industry professionals in a variety of program areas.  The Dental Assistant Bridge program is a unique three-quarter (two semester) certificate designed to provide entry-level skills and education to students interested in a future career as a dental professional. The program will help prepare students for entry-level employment or transition to continuing education and completion of a Dental Assistant Certificate or Degree at the college level. NCTA provides the classroom and clinical site for this program.  This is a full-year program (Sept.-June) with courses scheduled sequentially.  Classes are scheduled for 2.5 hours per day Monday - Friday.  Students may enter this program Fall Quarter only.  Students who successfully complete the full year program are eligible to earn a Dental Foundations Micro-Certificate.

Class Hours - students can choose either an a.m. or p.m. section:
DEN01 - AM class - 8:00a.m. - 10:30a.m., daily
DEN02 - PM class - 11:25a.m. - 1:55p.m., daily

The Northwest Career and Technical Academy operates a full functioning dental clinic staffed with dental professionals.  The clinic provides students with clinical experiences, including 4-handed expanded function chair-side practice and equipment maintenance using a variety of delivery systems.  Students participating in this program will experience academic and professional training in a highly focused work environment.

Students are advised that at completion of this program, you will earn an 18-credit Dental Foundations certificate.   The program is designed to provide students with the technical core of entry level courses required in most college-level Dental Assisting Certificate programs.  Through SVC’s partnership with BTC, qualified students can transfer the credits earned in the Dental Foundations micro-certificate to BTC towards completion of a full Dental Assisting certificate or two-year degree.  For details about completing the full certificate program, please read this document. Students who complete the full Dental Assistant Certificate program are prepared to be a key member of the dental team and assist the operator chair-side during diagnostic, preventative and operative dental procedures, including exposing x-rays, placing sealants, polishing teeth, preparing dental materials, and placing temporary restorations. 

Completion of the Dental Foundations Micro-certificate provides preparation for employment as a Sterilization Assistant or Dental Receptionist.  An employer may also provide the on-the-job training necessary to move into a Dental Assistant position.  Most Dental Assistants are employed by private dental offices.  Dental Assistants may also be employed by orthodontists, periodontists, hospitals, dental schools, state and local public health departments, federal agencies (including the military), or in clinics.  Although most program graduates work as dental assistants, opportunities may also exist for employment as sterilization/infection control assistants, dental hygiene assistant, dental radiographic assistant, dental technician, dental receptionist, or dental sales representative.

Typical Work Tasks

Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office and laboratory duties. Specific tasks typically required of a dental assistant include:

• Perform basic chair-side assisting techniques in general and specialty practices.
• Expose, process, and mount dental radiographs/x-rays.
• Place sealants, polish teeth, prepare dental materials, and place temporary restorations.
• Sterilize/disinfect instruments and equipment; prepare procedural trays.
• Record patient medical and dental history, and chart pertinent patient information.
• Instruct patients on post-operative and preventative oral health care, including good nutrition.
• Schedule patients for various treatments, maintain a recall system, complete patient insurance forms, make financial arrangements, and use basic dental software.
• Order and maintain dental office supplies/inventory.
• Perform dental assisting expanded functions allowed in the state of Washington.

Program Options

The estimated program length is based on full-time enrollment.  It is the student's responsibility to discuss sequencing and work out their individual schedule with a counselor or program advisor.  Any developmental coursework a student may be required to complete may increase the program length.  The certificate program is not intended for university transfer.

NOTE:  at Skagit Valley College Micro-certificates of Completion are designed for taking courses over a short period of time focusing on enhancement or development of a specific skill or set of skills.  Micro-certificate courses can help enhance employability skills or provide preparation for continuing education in the program area.  Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA or above in all required course work.

Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the Dental Assistant Bridge program will

• Demonstrate academic, technical & professional skills that effectively contribute to the dental healthcare team.
• Demonstrate cognitive retention of dental terminology, theory and science.
• Apply knowledge of oral anatomy
• Demonstrate an understanding of introductory microbiology and dental pharmacology.
• Comply with OSHA standards demonstrating appropriate sterilization and infection control procedures. 
• Discuss and abide by HIPAA protocols (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
• Perform expanded functions such as sealant placement, coronal polish, fluoride application, oral hygiene instruction, rubber dam isolation, and preparing dental materials.
• Expose and evaluate intraoral bitewing x-rays, implementing radiation safety and processing skills.
• Practice four-handed chair-side dentistry on general chair-side procedures.
• Demonstrate critical thinking, teamwork, problem solving, communication, and positive work ethics as they directly relate to the dental assistant profession.
• Discuss and apply ethics and jurisprudence as it relates to dental assisting.
• Demonstrate knowledge of educational and licensing requirements (DANB, WSDA, local colleges) and legislation that impacts dental professionals.
• Prepare for continuing advanced education to complete a Dental Assisting Certificate or AAS Degree program.

You May Study

• Dental Terminology
• Oral Anatomy
• Radiography
• Microbiology
• Instrument Identification & Use
• Dental Materials
• Bite-wings/Full Mouth Series
• Preventative/Restorative Procedures
• Chair-side Procedures
• Front Office-Reception Responsibilities
• OSHA Standards/Sterilization & Infection Control

Program Entry Requirements

Students must apply to the Admissions Office for an application to Skagit Valley College.  Make an appointment to take the COMPASS test.  Students must enter this program Fall Quarter only.  Contact Valerie Thompson at (360) 416-7662 or valerie.thompson@skagit.edu to obtain a program information packet. If scheduled, attend a program Orientation Session for answering questions and registering for classes. The following are requirements for this program:

•  Students must provide their own transportation to and from clinical sites for job shadows, workplace experiences and internships.

For more information about required immunizations, criminal background check, uniform, materials and supplies, please read the Dental Assistant Information Packet.

Drug Screen and Criminal Background Check:  All SVC students entering the Dental Assistant program will be required to pass both an Illegal Substance-Illegal Drug Screen and Criminal Background check.  This is based on medical industry standards and Washington State laws protecting vulnerable populations (RCW 43.43.880 and 43.43.842). This practice is common among colleges and universities in Washington State and is required by clinical agencies where students complete their clinical practicum.  This screening occurs at the start of the first quarter for the Dental Technology program. The fee for the screening is $82. Students who are unable to pass the above mentioned screens will be prevented from continuing the program. Students must complete this process before registering for winter quarter classes.

Immunizations:  Prior to, or during the first week of the semester, students must provide the instructor with documentation/evidence of current immunization status.  The following immunizations must be current:

• Tdap vaccine (within the last five years) - includes tetnus and pertussis
• 2 MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) vaccinations or positive titer
• Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine series (at least the first two shots, and the third within 6 months)
• TB skin test (negative) or chest x-ray

Additional immunizations may be required if recommended by instructor or required by clinical placement:

• Flu Vaccine
• Varicella Vaccine

College Technical Core Requirements

The following courses are included in the three quarter/two semester Dental Technology "bridge" program. To qualify for college credit and admission into BTC's Dental Assisting Certificate or AAS Degree program, students must receive a minimum of C (2.0) or better grades in all academic general education courses and prerequisite clinical courses to earn college credit; B (3.0) or better grades in DEN 110 & 114 must be achieved to earn college credit.  All courses will be transcribed through Skagit Valley College.

Dental Foundations Microcertificate
A Skagit Valley College Dental Foundations microcertificate will be awarded to all students who complete DEN 100, DEN 105, AHE 106, DEN 110 and DEN 114. Financial Aid is not available for this certificate.

To Complete the Dental Assistant Certificate or Degree

Students are encouraged to continue their education/training to complete the full Dental Assistant certificate or degree program.  The Dental Foundations courses taken and credits earned can be applied toward completion of a Dental Assistant Certificate or Degree program at BTC.  To learn more about the requirements read Instructions to Complete Dental Assistant Degree or Certificate.

Career Opportunities and Job Search Information

The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) is the nation's primary source of occupational information.  The O*Net Online database is an interactive research tool for exploring and searching occupations.  The database, developed by the US Department of Labor, contains information on hundreds of standardized and occupation-specific descriptors, and provides a variety of FREE Career Exploration Tools.

O-Net Online: www.onetonline.org 
Soc 31-9091.00 - Dental Assistant

Employment of dental assistants is expected to grow by 31 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. Ongoing research linking oral health and general health will continue to increase the demand for preventive dental services. As dental practices grow, more dental assistants will be needed.  In the Northwest Workforce Development Area, which includes Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties, Dental Assistants are listed as an "in demand" occupation on the Demand/Decline Occupations list. Criminal convictions may restrict or prevent student participation with internships and employment in this industry.

For more detailed information about Washington State healthcare employment trends, wage rates, employment opportunities, job tasks, etc. search the websites listed below:

• Washington Healthcare Careers: www.washingtonhealthcarecareers.com
• WorkForce Explorer: www.WorkforceExplorer.com
• America's Career InfoNet - Career One Stop: www.careerinfonet.org

Placement Rate

Placement and Completion Data