Dental Assisting

Cerritos College Dental Assisting Program, Admission Requirements
Application & Admission Procedures

III. Application & Admission Procedures (to be completed in order as listed)

1. Applicants must submit to the Health Occupations Division Office the following items:

a. Completed application signed by the applicant and returned by May 15. Either snail mail to Health Occupations (address on App) or email the electronically signed application to dwedell@cerritos.edu

b. High school (or equivalent) and college transcripts of all work completed.  Unofficial transcripts can be submitted with application.  Official transcripts must be submitted prior to the completion of the first semester of the program.

c. Cerritos College English assessment test scores or indication by counselor that English clearance has been met through equivalent courses or activities.

d. Applicants completing admission requirements during the spring session must submit a final grade to the Health Occupations Division before May 30.

e. Verification of typing/keyboarding (computer) high school course with a "B" or higher or college course with a "C" or higher.  Alternative: applicants may demonstrate competence through testing proficiencies verifying typing skills at a speed of 45 wpm.  This may be achieved concurrent with the program.

f. Verification of dental employment work experience (if applicable).

2. Applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements are assigned a number for admission by a randomized computer selection process.

3. Notification of admission to the program will be done by mail after May 30.

4. Admitted students and alternates will be required to attend a mandatory orientation meeting in July.  During the orientation, information will be given regarding textbooks, uniforms, registration procedures, and other relevant matters.

5. Health

a. Physical exam and immunizations records must be completed during the first semester of the program. All costs are the responsibility of the student.

b. A valid Healthcare Provider Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification must be obtained after acceptance into the program and before the second week of the fall semester.  It must be obtained through an American Heart Association  Provider.  The CPR card must be valid throughout the program.

c. Applicants must present evidence of physical fitness and ability to perform tasks required of a dental assistant.  Employment in this field requires good vision, hearing, and the ability to communicate verbally, nonverbally, and through written word.  Students must have the ability to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate patients' charts in order to provide appropriate treatment.  Students must be able to record in the patients' charts and have manual dexterity to use small instruments to provide patient care.

d. The essential requirements of a dental assistant are used in consideration of admission, retention and graduation from the Cerritos College program.  Graduates are expected to be fully qualified to enter the profession as an Assistant.  It is the responsibility of the student with disabilities to contact DSPS and provide verification of the disability and resulting limitations.  Students are responsible to make advance request for those accommodations that he or she feel are reasonable and needed to execute the essential requirements described above.

IV. Expenses

See Cerritos College Catalog for complete list of Cerritos College enrollment fees and out-of-state resident fees.

Students may expect to pay approximately $1,200 for dental assisting project fees, uniforms, and books.

Students are responsible for their own living accommodations, including uniform laundry and transportation to extended campuses.

Physical exam and immunization expenses are the student's responsibility.

Upon successful completion of program requirements, the student is eligible to take the State Board Registered Dental Assisting exam and the National Certified Dental Assisting exam (approximately $725 - costs incurred by student).

The student will be eligible to receive and wear the Dental Assisting pin which is given at a graduation ceremony upon successful completion of the program.

V. Attendance, Scholarship, Promotion

Attendance: Due to the nature of the Dental Assisting program all students are expected to observe the attendance requirements set by the Dental Assisting department at Cerritos College (see student handbook).

Scholarship and Promotion:  Students are required to maintain a "C" or higher in each course in order to progress in the program.

VI. Guidelines for Withdrawal, Dismissal, and Reinstatement

I. Withdrawal

a. Withdrawal ("W") may be initiated by either the student or the instructor.  Dates for withdrawal without a grade are indicated in the Cerritos College Schedule of Classes.

b.When a student is failing clinically, he/she will be encouraged to withdraw from the course.  If the clinical failure is related to unsafe clinical practice, and the student does not withdraw when advised to do so, the instructor shall drop the student from the course.  A student who has withdrawn or been dropped from a course may not attend after the withdrawal date.

II. Dismissal (Failure) - Criteria for dismissal from course or program may include:

a. Final grade below "C" in required dental assisting course.

b. Failure to meet attendance requirements.

c. Behavior not consistent with Dental Assisting Code of Ethics and the department's "Code of Ethics and Responsibilities"

d. Failure to comply with established Cerritos Colleges or Dental Assisting department regulations and policies.

e. Failure to meet stated objectives in the coursework.

f. Placing self or others in physical and/or emotional jeopardy.

g. In critical cases, such as unsafe clinical performance, dismissal may occur without prior warning or probation.  This action requires the concurrence of the Dental Assisting Program Director, Instructional Dean of Health Occupations and/or Vice President of Academic Affairs.

III. Reinstatement:

a. Students applying for readmission to the Dental Assisting Program after withdrawal or dismissal must write a letter requesting readmission, addressed to the Director of the Dental Assisting Program.

b. The following information must be included in the letter:

Circumstances surrounding the withdrawal or dismissal

Activities pursued in the interim that demonstrate improvement in the problem areas

Reason for requesting readmission

School term for which readmission is requested

c. Student seeking readmission after one withdrawal/dismissal from the Cerritos College Dental Assisting Program/course will be reinstated contingent upon lab space availability in the priority order of date and time the readmission request is received in the Dental Assisting Department.

d. Readmission request letters will be accepted only after letters from the program director have been mailed acknowledging student withdrawal or dismissal.  These letters are mailed after the end of the school term in which the withdrawal occurred and are mailed at the same time to all students who did not successfully complete the term.  All students requesting readmission will have equal opportunity to apply for space available.

e. No student shall be reinstated after two withdrawals/dismissals from the Cerritos College Dental Assisting Program/course.  A student who has acquired two withdrawals/dismissals shall have exceeded the repeat policy of the program and shall have no further chance of re-entry.

f. A student who withdraws from the program for personal reasons (e.g. pregnancy, illness, family crisis, financial difficulties, etc.) will be given additional consideration through faculty review, upon the student's request describing such reasons.

VII. Graduation

Graduation Requirements:

a. Completion of all Dental Assisting course work with a grade of  "C" or higher

b. Verification of typing/computer proficiency.

c. Completion of English 52 with a grade of a "C" or higher.

VIII. Disclaimer

The program has made every reasonable effort to determine that everything stated in the information sheet is accurate.  Matters contained herein, are subject to change without notice by the administration of the department for reasons related to student enrollment, level of financial support or for any reason, at the discretion of the Program.  The Program further reserves the right to add, amend or repeal any of the rules, regulations, policies and procedures, consistent with applicable law.

The State of California requires individuals applying to take the RDA Exam have and supply their social Security Number: complete a Non-Live Scan Fingerprint record; and if the applicant has been convicted or plead guilty to any crime in the USA, its territories, military court or foreign country which includes a plea of no contest or any conviction that has been set aside or deferred pursuant to sections 1000 or 1203.4 of the Penal Code, including infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies must provide detail information regarding the conviction to complete the processing of the application and the state will determine if the individual does qualify to take the RDA exam

CERTIFICATE FOF ACHIEVEMENT:

a.Completion of all Dental Assisting course work with a grade of  "C" or higher.

b. Verification of typing/computer proficiency.

c. Completion of English 52 with a grade of a "C" or higher.

ASSOCIATE IN ARTS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:

(May be taken prior to or following Certificate of Achievement)

Meet all the requirements as listed for the Certificate of Achievement in Dental Assisting.  For an A.A. Degree, a student must also take electives and General Education to achieve a minimum of 60 units.  Recommended electives for students interested in Dental Hygiene Program: CHEM 100, MICR 200, A&P 200 and A&P 201 or A&P 150 and A&P 151, and HO 152.