The dental assisting certificate program is a comprehensive program consisting of lecture, hands-on training in clinical procedures and laboratory sessions. Full-time students will complete 17 credits in the fall semester, 14 credits in the spring semester and 3 credits in the summer. The program starts the last week in August, in coordination with all other University of Alaska Anchorage fall courses, and ends approximately June 20.

Most of the dental assisting classes are offered Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm; however, there are some required evening and weekend hours. The class schedule changes on a yearly basis to accommodate scheduling anomalies and adjunct faculty. Most of the classes will be held in the dental programs suite in the Allied Health Science Building.

The dental assisting program accepts 18 full-time students to complete the certificate program each year. The certificate program is ideal for those individuals who need vocational training that will allow them to enter the job market in a short period of time.

Certificate Requirements

Fall Semester
DA A101 Essentials of Dentistry - 3 Credits
DA A102 Infection control in Dentistry - 3 Credits
DA A110 Dental Radiography - 3 Credits
DA A110L Dental Radiography Lab - 1 Credit
DA A127 Dental Practice Management & Professionalism - 3 Credits
DA A130 Chairside Techniques I - 4 Credits

Spring Semester
DA A150 Biomedical & Dental Sciences for Dental Assistants - 3 Credits
DA A160 Materials in Dentistry - 3 Credits
DA A195A Dental Assisting Practicum I - 1 Credit
DA A201 Chairside Techniques II - 4 Credits
DA A202 Dental Specialties for Dental Auxiliaries - 3 Credits

Summer Semester
DA A295A Clinical Practicum II - 3 Credits

With additional general education classes available at UAA, a dental assisting certificate can be upgraded to an associate of applied science degree. The AAS degree may offer educational advantages that may not be available with a certificate.

Students desiring an AAS Degree in Dental Assisting may elect to take general degree requirements in addition to the Dental Assisting Certificate requirements.  To complete the Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting:

1. Complete the General University Requirements for Associate Degrees.
2. Complete the required courses for the Dental Assisting Certificate.
3. Complete the following general requirements:
   ENGL A111 - Methods of Written Communication - 3 Credits
   COMM A11 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication - 3 Credits OR
   COMM A235, COMM A237, or COMM A241
   ENGL A212 - Technical Writing - 3 Credits OR
   CIOS A260, ENGL A211, or ENGL A213
4. Complete the following Major Requirements:
   BIOL A102 AND BIOL A103 OR BIOL A115 OR BIOL A111 - 4 Credits
   DN A101 OR DN A203 - 3 Credits
   PSY A111 OR PSY A150 OR PSY/HUMS A153 - 3 Credits
   Electives (7 Credits): Recommended courses include:
   DA A295B (2 Credits), CIS A105 (3 Credits), MA A101 (3 Credits)OR General Education Requirements (GER) for Baccalaureate Degrees
5. A total of 60 Credits is required for an AAS degree in Dental Assisting.

Program Objectives - Certificate of Completion

The educational objectives of the Dental Assisting Program are to produce graduates who:

• Demonstrate academic and clinical proficient dental assisting skills at the entry level
• Apply theory of patient management
• Demonstrate oral and written communication and applied psychology in the dental office
• Demonstrate anticipating operator
• Are employable at an entry-level dental assisting program

Program Outcomes - Certificate of Completion

• Demonstrate assisting with restorative procedures and materials
• Obtain employment as an entry-level dental assistant
• Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy of teeth, head, and neck as related to dentistry
• Apply theory of radiation physics and biology and exposing diagnostically acceptable radiographs
• Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
• Demonstrate maintaining the field and four-handed dentistry