dental assisting certified distance deliver

Dental Assisting – Certified (Online)

CREDENTIAL: Certificate

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Earn a certificate in dental assisting online while actively working in a dental office. This combination of theory and real-world experience contributes to a highly effective learning experience for students.

Tuition: 7453*

Credential: Certificate

Length: 20 0 months

Hours: Part-time

Delivery: Online

Campus: Online Online

Start Dates: Sep

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What you will learn

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

Provide patient-centred dental care in a safe, competent manner.
Practice using a unique body of knowledge that is evidence-based.
Competently assess, plan, treat and reflect on outcomes of clinical care.
Practice in accordance with the ethical guidelines for the profession.
Apply professional standards of the regulatory body for Certified Dental Assisting (CDA) practice.
Apply principles that support cultural safety and humility in CDA practice.

What to expect

Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion

The Certified Dental Assisting Online Program is 20 months of part-time study.

Maximum time for completion is 3 years.

The Certified Dental Assisting Online program is offered on a part-time basis.

Theory courses are presented asynchronously through online activities, lectures, small group discussions, assigned readings and self-study. Clinical skills are presented in the dental clinic and laboratory onsite at the VCC downtown campus. The clinical competencies are developed on manikins, peers, and patients. Acquisition of clinical skills is enhanced through in-office clinical experiences which reinforce and enhance the course content. Students must be working/volunteering clinically for a minimum of two days (14 hours) per week as a clinical dental assistant in a general practice dental office for the duration of the program.

Admission requirements

Program-specific

Grade 12 graduation or equivalent.*
English Studies 12 with a minimum 'C' grade or equivalent
One of:**
- Anatomy and Physiology 12, or equivalent (recommended)
  or
- Life Sciences 11, or equivalent
A signed Sponsoring Dentist Agreement verifying a minimum of 2 days (14 hours) per week clinical dental assisting experience in a general dentistry practice for the duration of the program.
Criminal Record Check
- ??Students in this program are required to complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC).
- The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations may not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate.

* Students who have completed the Vancouver Community College Dental Reception program are exempt from these admission requirements.

** Students who have completed the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) Provincial Radiography credential are exempt from this admission requirement.

Applicants who have successfully completed one of the options below may be eligible to receive credit for DAST 1515 and DAST 1517.

DNTL 1107 Dental Radiography, or
DREC 1242 Dental Radiography, or
DENT 1505 Dental Radiography 1 and DENT 2995 Dental Radiography 2 and DENT 3745 Dental Radiography 3.

UPON ACCEPTANCE TO THE PROGRAM:

Current CPR Level C
- CPR Level C includes:
  - Adult/Child/Baby CPR – one rescuer
  - Adult/Child CPR – two-rescuer
  - Adult/Child/Baby – choking
TB Screening
- Students must submit a negative TB skin test taken within 6 months of acceptance to the program. If the TB skin test is positive, a negative TB chest x-ray is required.
Immunizations
- Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some case may be required for practice education placements:
Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis
Polio
Measles, Mumps & Rubella
Varicella (Chicken pox)
Hepatitis B
Influenza (annually)
COVID-19

General

This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.

Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.

Recommended Characteristics

Ability to communicate effectively in a team environment
Empathic and caring attitude
Ability to work independently and within a team environment
Ability to complete tasks that require manual dexterity and fine motor skills
Detail oriented
Effective time management skills
Basic computer literacy (email, word processing and use of the internet)

Considerations:

The physical demands of the CDA profession may worsen back, wrist, neck or shoulder problems. Materials used in oral health care may affect persons living with conditions such as latex sensitivity or other allergies.

Courses *

Prior learning assessment and recognition

Students may request formal recognition of prior learning attained through formal education, or work experience. Credits may be granted to students who are able to sufficiently demonstrate the learning outcomes of specific courses.

PLAR is available for the following courses:

DAST 1403 Basic Dental Assisting
DAST 1405 Dental Office Emergencies
DAST 1510 Laboratory Procedures
DAST 1513 Dental Reception

*Methods of PLAR will include evaluation by examination.

If PLAR is successful, transcripts will reflect an ‘S’ grade (satisfactorily completed), which is not included in grade point average (GPA) calculations.

See VCC Policy and Procedures 316 Prior Learning Assessment for more information.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
DAST 1400	Professionalism in Dental Assisting	2.0
DAST 1402	Microbiology and Infection Control	1.5
DAST 1403	Basic Dental Assisting	2
DAST 1404	Patient Assessment	2
DAST 1405	Dental Office Emergencies	1.5
DAST 1406	Preventive Dentistry	3
DAST 1407	Restorative Dental Assisting	2.5
DAST 1408	Clinical Dental Assisting Practice 1	3
DAST 1510	Laboratory Procedures	1.5
DAST 1511	Dental Specialties	3
DAST 1512	Community Dental Health	3
DAST 1513	Dental Reception	2.5
DAST 1514	Patient Care Procedures	2.5
DAST 1515	Dental Radiography	2.5
DAST 1517	Dental Radiography in Clinical Practice	1.5
DAST 1518	Clinical Dental Assisting Practice 2	5
Total Credits		39

* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Fees and other costs *

Tuition Deposit	0 (0 non-refundable) Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.

Tuition Deposit

0 (0 non-refundable)

Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.

Fee description	Fee Amount	Notes
Application fee	36
Tuition Tuition	7453	Breakdown Tuition Breakdown 3249 - Year 1 4205 - Year 2 0 - Year 3 0 - Year 4 0 - Year 5
Student union	128
College initiative	111
Materials	132	not including textbooks
Campus resource	299
Laundry	0
Tools (deposit)	0
Coverall (deposit)	0
Uniform (deposit)	0
Medical and Dental	0
Temporary Medical Insurance	0
U-PASS	0
Graduation	45
Program-specific extra fees	0
Total

Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. For information and prices, visit the VCC Bookstore.

* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a $300 non-refundable deposit.

Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.

Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.

Apply now

Are you interested in this program? Find out When to Apply.

Course delivery information: Courses are primarily delivered asynchronously, so you can complete your dental office experience of at least 14 hours/week. There is some collaborative work with other students, as well as scheduled exams on Zoom. There are three in-person clinicals (5 days, 3 days, and 10 days) at the VCC downtown campus.

ONLINE

You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC
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MAIL

Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5

Dental Assisting – Certified (Online)