Dental Assisting

About the Program

The demand for qualified dental assistants is significant, as they play a vital role in supporting dentists, dental hygienists, and dental technicians in delivering skilled and compassionate dental care. The field of dentistry is constantly evolving, with advancements like digital dental x-rays, which provide instant imaging on computer monitors, and titanium implants, offering stronger, more stable alternatives to dentures or removable partials.

At Foothill College, our Dental Assisting Program prepares students for success in this dynamic field through a balanced curriculum of academic, laboratory, and clinical courses. Students will gain hands-on experience in advanced functions such as coronal polishing, applying pit and fissure sealants, and earning an X-ray certification.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will:

- Receive a Career Certificate in Dental Assisting.
- Qualify to take the California State Registered Dental Assisting Examination.

Job Opportunities:

Dental assistants can pursue roles in general dentistry or specialize in fields such as oral surgery, orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, and prosthodontics.

Additional career paths for qualified dental assistants include:

- Public health educator
- Dental assisting instructor
- Private industry consultant or sales representative
- Dental office manager
- Consultant for dental insurance companies

The Foothill College program equips students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the ever-changing dental field.

Application Process

The application period opens from November 1 to April 30 each year. To apply, follow these steps carefully:

Apply Online
Submit an online application for admission to Foothill College to obtain your 8-digit student Campus-Wide ID (CWID).
Read the Application Instructions
Carefully review the detailed application instructions before submitting your application to the Dental Assisting Program.
Review the Application Sample
Familiarize yourself with the Application Sample to ensure your submission is complete and accurate.
Submit Your Application
Complete and submit your application to the Dental Assisting Program through the Allied Health App in MyPortal.

Lottery Selection Process

The program admits 24 eligible students per year through a random lottery selection process. Admission occurs only once annually, so be sure to complete all steps during the application period.

Learn More about the Program

Program Mission and Goals

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 students who will positively impact the oral health status of the community. This education will include courses in the basic, social and dental sciences, liberal arts and public health with emphasis on the clinical aspect of the dental assisting practice. This education will provide the student with a foundation to pursue life long learning.

Program Goals

The goals of the Dental Assisting Program at Foothill College are designed to prepare the beginning dental assisting student to:

Work successfully as a member of the dental team.
Work closely with the dentist and dental hygienist in a variety of dental settings.
Provide comprehensive dental assisting care to individuals from diverse socioeconomic, educational, and or cultural backgrounds.
Assume, if necessary, primary responsibility for the running of the back office, front office, insurance and/or financial aspects of the dental practice.
Assume responsibility for prevention of disease transmission in the work environment.
Perform the dental assisting functions that are legally allowed in a safe and ethical manner.
Actively pursue continuing and advanced education.

Program Details

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 Drug testing Physical exam including current vaccinations CPR/BLS from American Heart Association Purchase uniform Purchase dental assisting kit Costs paid by student
APPROX. COST OF PROGRAM	Total: $3500 Tuition: $31.00 per quarter unit (Fees and Tuition) Other costs associated with the program: Basic fees: appx. $60.00/quarter Parking permit: $30.00/quarter Books: $450.00 total
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. Sample Schedule
EXTERNSHIPS	Unpaid internship 300 hours
EXTERNSHIP DATES	Tuesday and Thursday for January to June
DEGREES & CERTIFICATES	A.S. DEGREE Dental Assisting Program Map Certificate of Achievement Infection Control Certification Dental Practice Act Certification Radiology Certification Coronal Polishing Certification Pit & Fissure Sealant Certification

Course Schedule

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)

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)

Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure

Program Compliance Public Notice

Dental Assisting Quick View

Program: Dental Assisting
Degree/Cert: AS/Yes
Length: 10 months

FT: Full-time
Number Accepted: 24

Program Application Deadline:

Fall 2025: 11/1/24-4/30/25

Approx. Cost of Program: $3,500
National Lic./Cert.: Yes
State Lic.Cert.: Yes
Estimated Annual Salary: $52,000-$72,000 (in CA)

Note: By attending the Dental Assisting Program, you earn 4 extra points toward the Dental Hygiene Application.

DENTAL ASSISTING PROGRAM CONTACTS

Office: Building 5200, Room 5211

Pia Staana, DDS, Interim Program Director
staanapia@fhda.edu

Nancy Cheung, MPA, Division Dean
cheungnancy@fhda.edu

To meet with the dean, contact the Health Sciences and Horiculture Division

Donate to our Dental Assisting Program

Download 2017 CTE Licensure Pass & Placement Rates

Gainful Employment Disclosures

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Dental Assisting

Application Process

Lottery Selection Process

Learn More about the Program

Program Mission and Goals

Program Mission

Program Goals

Program Details

Course Schedule

Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Program Compliance Public Notice

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