This academic certificate program prepares students for an expanded functions licensure in one of the fastest growing health care fields with a curriculum introducing them to the profession of dentistry. They will learn all areas of clinical dental assisting and receive training in the professional skills required to function as an dental assistant in a dental practice. Through lecture, laboratory sessions, and clinical rotations, they learn the roles and responsibilities of the dental assistant. Skill development includes policies and guidelines, oral and dental anatomy, infection control, dental radiology, instrument identification and use, and expanded functions. Students must obtain a minimum grade of 'C' in all Dental courses.
This program prepares students to sit for the three components of the Dental Assisting National Board Exams (DANB): Radiation and Safety Examination (RHS); Infection Control (ICE); and General Chairside (GC) which are the three components of the nationally recognized Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification. The DANB exams are administered at Pearson Vue Centers and are not included as part of the cost of this program. In addition to the CDA certification, students will be eligible to apply for their New Jersey Dental Radiology Technologist licensure, and expanded-functions licensure in the State of New Jersey as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).
Students can download the Program Guide listed above to view a semester-by-semester breakdown of the required classes and electives for this program.
The RCSJ Catalog provides class descriptions.
The Course Registration Info site shows important information for each semester such as deadlines, dates, and guides.
For a complete list of when important College dates occur, students can view and download the Academic Calendar.