To provide the Del Mar College Dental Assisting Program students with a fully accredited program of education of the highest quality in order to prepare them with knowledge and skills necessary to enter the field of dentistry. Students will accumulate technical, ethical, and professional skills required of dental health care workers through didactic courses, laboratory participation and clinical experiences.
Dental Assisting
Dental Assisting
Associate of Applied Science Degree, Certificate
Available at: Windward Campus
Program Overview
Dental assisting is both challenging and rewarding. Dental assistants are in growing demand. The working environment is a pleasant people oriented atmosphere providing personal interaction and personal satisfaction of knowing that you really helped someone by providing a valuable health service.
Dental assisting provides: prestige, variety, creativity, flexibility, security, challenges, and respect.
The Dental Assisting Program is a one-year program and runs from August to August each year. Upon successful completion of the Dental Assisting courses, the student will earn a Certificate of Achievement and is eligible to take the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination given by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam administered by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE). To earn an associate degree, the student must complete the additional education requirements.
This program trains the student in all phases of dental assisting. It was established under the guidelines of the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association in cooperation with the Nueces Valley District Dental Society.
The program is offered in cooperation with local dental offices. These offices provide clinical education in association with the Joint Review Committee and the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
A Dental Programs Advisory Committee assists College officials in the implementation of the curriculum under the standards established by the Commission.
The program in Dental Assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. 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. The Commission’s web address is: https://coda.ada.org/.
Students, faculty, and other interested parties of the Dental Assisting Program may submit an appropriate complaint to the Commission on Dental Accreditation. An appropriate complaint is one that directly addresses the program’s compliance with the Commission’s standards, policies and procedures. The Commission on Dental Accreditation will review complaints that relate to a program’s compliance with the accreditation standards. The Commission is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dental and dental-related education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for treatment received by patients or individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty, staff or students.
A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission’s policy and procedure for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678 or by calling 1-312-440-4653.
Talk to AN ADVISOR
Have questions, please call (361) 698-2858 or email acanales43@delmar.edu to schedule an appointment with a Dental Assisting Advisor. Advising appointments are offered in-office and virtual (email, phone, or online).
CURRICULUM
Careers
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MISSION
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PROGRAM GOALS
Following are the goals of the Dental Assistant Program. In order to advance the mission of Del Mar College and to demonstrate the unique characteristics of occupational education and technology, the Dental Assisting Program will strive to:
- To prepare the student for certification (Certified Dental Assistant: CDA), administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), Registration (Registered Dental Assistant: RDA) and Nitrous Oxide Monitoring Exam, administered by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.
- To develop student technical skills to the level of competency required for post-graduate employment.
- To provide fully accredited occupational, academic, and pre-professional courses leading to certificates, associate degrees, and/or the first two years of transferable credit toward baccalaureate degrees.
- To encourage and support student participation in professional affiliations.
- To initiate and support faculty development and continuing education through local, state and national associations as required by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Page last updated November 1, 2024.