QUESTIONS MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED
ABOUT THE
DENTAL ASSISTING PROGRAM
AT CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO (CCSF)
1.
DO I NEED TO FILL OUT A SPECIAL APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO THE DENTAL
ASSISTING PROGRAM?
In order to pre-register for the Dental Assisting
Program, it is best to speak to the Dental Assisting Director/Advisor and
complete the Program Application and Medical History forms.
If you register during the beginning of the Fall Semester without
speaking with the Program Director, it will be necessary to make an appointment
during the first week of school and complete the necessary application forms.
2.
ARE MALE APPLICANTS ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM?
Yes, if they can meet the other
college/program criteria.
3.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A DENTAL ASSISTING CAREER?
An excellent job market - more than six
positions for each graduate, flexibility - both full-time and part-time
positions are available throughout the U.S., personal satisfaction - dental
assisting involves people contact, and with the personal interaction comes the
personal satisfaction of knowing you have really helped someone and provided a
valuable health service, variety - dental assistants have one of the most
diverse and interesting of all positions in a dental office.
4.
WHAT DO DENTAL ASSISTANTS DO?
The dental assistants perform a wide
range of tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical skills.
Some specific tasks dental assistants may perform are:
assisting the dentist during a variety of procedures, exposing and
developing dental radiographs, assisting in obtaining the patient's medical
history and taking his or her patient's vital signs, preparing and sterilizing
the proper instruments and equipment, taking impressions for patient's records,
polishing patient's teeth, patient education from home care instruction and pre-
or post- operative instructions, performing office management tasks, helping
patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment and
providing patients with the dentist's instructions for oral care following
surgery or some other types of treatment.
5.
WHAT IS A DENTAL ASSISTANT'S EARNING POTENTIAL?
Salaries are usually slightly high
compared to those earned in other health care occupations requiring one year of
training due to the current shortage of Dental Assistants throughout the U.S.
(The shortage of Dental Assistants is projected well beyond the year 2010).
6. WHICH HIGH SCHOOL COURSES WOULD BEST PREPARE ME FOR ENTERING THE DENTAL ASSISTING PROGRAM AT CCSF?
Students in high school should take
Science, English/ Communication and Business Computer Courses.
7.
AM I ABLE TO TRANSFER OTHER COLLEGE COURSE WORK TO CCSF IN ORDER TO BE
ELIGIBLE FOR THE 1-YEAR PROGRAM?
Yes, if the courses completed meet the
academic standards of CCSF and are equivalent to the courses required.
The College Registrar evaluates transcripts for transfer units and the
Dental Assisting Advisor evaluates courses of English, Science and Typing
(keyboard) for admission to the one-year program.
8.
CAN
YOU ENTER THE PROGRAM IN THE SPRING SEMESTER?
No, students are only admitted into the
program at the beginning of the Fall Semester.
(The Fall Semester begins during Mid- August). The Spring Semester is an excellent time to complete the
prerequisites for the one-year program beginning each Fall.
9.
WHEN DO STUDENTS RECEIVE NOTICE OF ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM?
The Dental Assisting Program is NOT
an impacted program and the student must only meet the needed College
requirements if entering the two-year program.
If the student is entering the one-year program, the student must have
the necessary prerequisites on file in the Dental Assisting office.
If a student has completed the necessary paperwork prior to June, the
student will receive notification of completion of forms and/or pre-requisites.
10.
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE LIKE ONCE YOU ARE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM?
Because
of the many hours of laboratory and clinical work in addition to lecture hours,
(approximately 22 per week) in addition to the homework involved; there is
little time for elective courses or part-time jobs.
Although many of our students have part-time jobs, the hours must be
minimal and be flexible with the student's class schedule.
11.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF THE PROGRAM?
California Community Colleges charge a
$26 per unit. The remainder of the
costs include: textbooks, lab fees,
uniforms/surgical gowns, safety glasses, vaccinations, student membership to the
American Dental Assistant Association, fees for state and national board
testing, and miscellaneous costs and total approximately:
First Semester
$
Second Semester
606
Certified Dental Assistant Exam
225
Registered Dental Assistant Exam
300
12.
ARE THERE ANY SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE TO THE DENTAL
ASSISTING STUDENTS?
Yes, the College has both Scholarships and Financial Aid available. The student will need to apply for Scholarships and Financial Aid through the appropriate offices. The American and California Dental Assistants Associations have scholarships available for the Dental Assisting Students during their final year of their program; information may be obtained from the Dental Assisting Advisor.
13. Are there Board Exams? If so, how do I find out more information about it?
Yes, there are two Board Exams that graduates can take upon completion of
the program.
1) Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam is given by the Dental Board of
California. The exam includes RDA Written, RDA Law & Ethics, and RDA
Practical. The passing rate for our previous graduates is 90% for the Written
is 100% for both the Law & Ethics and Practical. For more information, please
visit their website at http://dbc.ca.gov/
2) Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam is given by the Dental Assisting
National Board. The exam consists of CDA Written only. The passing rate for
our previous graduates is 100%. For more information, please visit their
website at
http://danb.org/