| Chair: | Boyd, Linda |
| 925-685-1230 ext. 2420 | |
| LBoyd@dvc.edu | |
| LHS-108 | |
| Division: | Biological and Health Sciences |
| 925-685-1230 ext. 2423 | |
| Directory: | Dental assisting faculty and staff |
Possible career opportunities
Employment opportunities for dental assistant graduates include, but are not limited to: chairside assistant or front office administrator for dental offices or clinics, x-ray technician for dental radiation laboratories, agent for dental insurance companies, laboratory technician for dental laboratories, product representative for dental product manufacturers or marketing agent for dental supply companies.
Associate degree and certificate program information
Degrees and certificates offered by the Dental Assisting Department
Associate in science degree
- Dental assisting (DENTL)
Certificate of achievement
- Dental assisting (DENTL)
Dental Assisting Department class schedules
Return to Biological and Health Sciences Division page
The Diablo Valley College registered dental assisting program prepares students to work in a dental office as an essential member of the dental team. A registered dental assistant provides the dentist with both administrative and chair-side support.
As a registered dental assisting student you will develop an in-depth understanding of the wide variety of duties performed in the dental office.
Students will learn:
- to assist with a wide range of general and specialty practice dental procedures;
- knowledge to pass the national and state boards;
- to perform skills allowed by the State of California after passing State Boards;
- x-ray including digital technology;
- take and record health history and vital signs;
- dental instruments used in general and specialty dental practices;
- instrument sterilization process;
- infection control standards/CDC-Center for Disease Control Guidelines;
- OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/standards.html; - perform coronal polish;
- apply pit and fissure sealants;
- to mix various dental materials;
- to take and pour impressions including study models;
- basic laboratory procedures;
- office management skills including computer software used in dental practices;
- appointment scheduling;
- preparation of insurance claims;
- dental office inventory.
The DVC registered dental assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, and by the United States Department of Education.
The ten-month program of classroom instruction and clinical experience in DVC's own dental facility is designed to prepare graduates for employment and for successful completion of the Dental Assisting National Board leading to qualification as a Certified Dental Assistant and for the Registered Dental Assistant Examination from the Dental Board of California.
registered dental assisting information
additional current registered dental assisting information pdf
