Dental Assisting

Program Mission

The mission of the Foothill College Dental Assisting Program is in accord with the mission of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District.

The purpose of the Dental Assisting Program is to educate and empower a diverse group of students to become skilled, compassionate professionals who will positively impact the oral health of the communities they serve. Through a curriculum that integrates foundational biomedical sciences, behavioral sciences, dental technology, health communication, and population health—with a strong emphasis on clinical practice—students will develop critical thinking skills essential for addressing complex challenges in oral healthcare. This education not only prepares students to thrive in a dynamic, global workforce but also encourages a commitment to lifelong learning and community engagement.

Program Goals

The goals of the Dental Assisting Program are:

1. Provide competent chairside and administrative dental assisting services that support quality patient care across a variety of dental settings and patient populations.
2. Demonstrate clinical competence, professionalism, and adherence to current standards in infection control, radiation safety, and ethical practice.
3. Communicate effectively and respectfully with patients, dental team members, and other healthcare professionals in a culturally responsive and professional manner.
4. Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in clinical and administrative settings, and engage in lifelong learning to stay current in the dental assisting profession.

PROGRAM LENGTH	10 Months/ Full-Time
ESTIMATED ANNUAL SALARY	$52,000-$72,000 (in CA)
UNITS	57 quarter units (Certificate) 90 quarter units (A.S. Degree)
START DATE	Starts either on 3rd or 4th week of September each year
NUMBER OF STUDENTS ADMITTED	24
PREREQUISITES	High school diploma or equivalent
REQUIREMENTS UPON ADMISSION	Statement of acceptance Background check and fingerprinting Drug testing Physical and Dental exam including current vaccinations CPR/BLS from the American Heart Association Purchase uniform  Purchase dental assisting kit Costs paid by student
APPROX. COST OF PROGRAM	Total: $4500 (see estimated expenses) Tuition: $31.00 per quarter unit (Fees and Tuition) Other appx. costs associated with the program: Basic fees: $60.00/quarter Parking permit: $55.00/quarter Books: $500.00
CLASS SCHEDULE	Lectures, labs, clinic sessions held M/Tu/W/Th/F Synchronous, asynchronous, virtual, face-to-face 8/9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
EXTERNSHIPS	300 hours of Unpaid Externship Tuesday and Thursday from January to June each year
DEGREES & CERTIFICATES	A.S. DEGREE Dental Assisting Program Map  Certificate of Completion of Registered Dental Assistant Program which includes successful completion of the following courses: Coronal Polishing [32 hours], Radiation Safety [144 hours], Pit & Fissure Sealants [36 hours], the Dental Practice Act [12 hours], and Infection Control [30 hours].

TERM	FULL-TIME STUDENT PATHWAY
FALL	D A 50 Orientation to Dental Assisting (1 unit) D A 51A Introduction to Chairside Dental Assisting (10.5 units) D A 53A Introduction to Radiography I (3 units) D A 58 Specialty Practice Procedures (1 unit) D A 62A Dental Sciences I (2 units) D A 71 Infection Control & Hazardous Waste Management (1.5 units)
WINTER	D A 51B Intermediate Clinical Dental Assisting (3 units) D A 53B Dental Radiography II (2 units) D A 56 Dental Health Education (1 unit) D A 57 Office Emergency Procedures (2 units) D A 60A Dental Office Business Practices I (2 units) D A 62B Dental Sciences II (2 units) D A 73 Dental Assisting Supervised Clinic (5.5 units) D A 100 Law & Ethics for the Dental Assistant (1 unit)
SPRING	D A 51C Advanced Dental Assisting Skills (3.5 units) D A 53C Dental Radiography III (1 unit) D A 60B Dental Office Business Practices II (3 units) D A 62C Dental Sciences III (2 units)  D A 63 Special Patient Populations (1 unit) D A 74 Dental Assisting Clinical Practice (5.5 units) D A 85 RDA Review (2 units) D A 88 Pit & Fissure Sealants (1.5 units)

The Foothill College Dental Assisting Program is committed to protecting the health and safety of students, patients, faculty, and staff. Applicants are expected to review the following policies prior to admission.

Infectious Disease & Bloodborne Pathogen Policy

The program follows current CDC, OSHA, and California Department of Public Health guidelines for infection control and bloodborne pathogens. Students must comply with the following requirements:

1. Standard Precautions
   1. All human blood, saliva, and body fluids are treated as potentially infectious.
   2. Personal protective equipment (PPE) — masks, gloves, protective eyewear, and clinical attire — must be worn during all laboratory and clinical procedures.
2. Immunization and Health Requirements
   1. Students must maintain current immunizations (Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, TDaP, Influenza, COVID-19) and TB clearance.
   2. Proof of compliance is required prior to clinical participation. If a student is unable to receive a vaccine, completion of a medical waiver form will be required. Form is available upon request. 
3. Exposure Protocols
   1. Any exposure incident (e.g., needlestick, sharps injury, or contact with blood/body fluids) must be reported immediately to supervising faculty.
   2. Students must wash the affected area, complete an incident report, and follow college procedures for post-exposure evaluation and medical follow-up.
   3. Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure
4. Infection Control Practices
   1. Perform proper hand hygiene before and after all patient and laboratory contact.
   2. Follow program protocols for instrument sterilization, operatory disinfection, and waste disposal.
   3. Eating, drinking, and storage of personal items are prohibited in clinical and laboratory areas.
5. Participation of Students with Infectious Disease
   1. Students with communicable diseases (e.g., active TB, Hepatitis B surface antigen positivity, COVID-19, influenza) must follow college clearance policies before resuming clinical activities.
   2. The program complies with ADA and CDC guidelines, balancing patient safety with student rights.
6. Education and Training
   1. Students receive initial and ongoing instruction in infection control, bloodborne pathogens, and exposure management.
   2. Competency in infection control procedures is required for program completion.

Radiation Safety Policy

The program is committed to protecting all students, patients, faculty, and staff from unnecessary radiation exposure. The following policies reflect ALARA principles (“As Low As Reasonably Achievable”), OSHA standards, and California Department of Public Health Radiologic Health Branch regulations:

1. Training & Competency
   1. Students receive classroom and laboratory instruction in radiation biology, safety, and radiographic techniques before exposing radiographs.
   2. Competency must be demonstrated prior to performing radiographic procedures on patients.
2. Protective Measures
   1. Lead aprons and thyroid collars are required for all patients.
   2. Students and staff must remain behind protective barriers or at least six feet from the source and out of the primary beam during exposure.
3. Equipment & Quality Assurance
   1. Radiographic equipment is inspected and certified according to state and manufacturer requirements.
   2. Routine quality assurance testing is performed on all X-ray machines and digital sensors.
   3. Malfunctioning equipment must be reported immediately.
4. Exposure Protocols
   1. The lowest exposure time and fewest images necessary for diagnosis must be used.
   2. All retakes must be approved and documented by supervising faculty.
   3. Non-diagnostic or unauthorized exposures (e.g., for practice only) are prohibited.
5. Student & Patient Safety
   1. Pregnant students are encouraged to inform faculty so additional accommodations may be provided if desired.
   2. Patients are informed of the necessity and safety of radiographs prior to exposure.

Technical Standards & Health Requirements

Students must meet the physical, cognitive, and behavioral requirements of the program, with or without reasonable accommodations, to participate safely in classroom, laboratory, and clinical activities. These include:

• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills necessary to perform dental assisting procedures.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Adequate vision, hearing, and sensory function to recognize changes in a patient’s condition.
• Effective communication skills to interact with patients, faculty, staff, and other healthcare providers.
• Emotional and mental stability to handle stressful situations and provide patient support.
• Commitment to following infection control and radiation safety protocols at all times.

To verify that students can meet these requirements, a Technical/Health Standards form must be completed and signed by a licensed physician or healthcare provider. This documentation is required prior to final admission into the program.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided through the Disability Resource Center (DRC), but students must be able to perform the essential functions of a dental assistant.

Acknowledgment

All admitted students receive the complete Program Policy Manual at orientation and must sign an acknowledgment form confirming their understanding of these policies.