Dental Assisting (Levels I and II)

Program: DNAS
Credential: Ontario College Certificate
Delivery: Full-time
Work Integrated Learning: 1 Field Placement + 4 Clinical Placements
Length: 3 Semesters
Duration: 1 Year
Effective: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Location: Barrie

Description

Students in this program prepare to assume positions as certified dental assistants, level II. Corresponding with the level of study and in accordance with current legislation, students of this program experience a variety of practical experiences including placements in the Georgian College Oral Health Clinic and in the community, involving all clinical roles, specialty practice, education, health promotion, business administration and treatment coordination. Students also learn to fabricate dental appliances and manipulate a variety of dental materials. To emphasize how dental assistants are vital members of the oral healthcare team, students explore the meaning of professionalism, and develop their own professional identity.

Please Note: Students require a completed Clinical Preparedness Permit prior to week 12 of semester 1 (see Additional Information section of the program outline). 

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program are qualified to assume positions as dental assistants, capable of working interdependently and collaboratively with healthcare professionals in a variety of settings including general or specialty dental practices. Graduates may find work in a dental hygiene practice, a denturism practice, a community oral health clinic, a public health unit, the military, an insurance company, or as a sales representative with a dental supply company.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. maintain client and personal safety in the practice environment;
  2. contribute to the development of a comprehensive client profile by using a variety of data collection methods in collaboration with the client and other health professionals and in compliance with privacy legislation;
  3. contribute to the development of a comprehensive plan for oral health services and programs in collaboration with the client and other health professionals;
  4.  provide oral health services and programs, as identified in the comprehensive plan and as permitted within the scope of practice;
  5. contribute to the evaluation and reporting of appropriate aspects of the oral health services and programs by using a variety of sources including the client profile;
  6. act in a professional and competent manner;
  7. maintain client records and manage office procedures in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations;
  8. recognize and stress the importance of employing environmentally sustainable practices within the profession;
  9. using entrepreneurial strategies, motivated toward self- improvement in knowledge and skill, identify the diversities of community development and workplace learning opportunities.

External Recognition

The Dental Assisting Program at Georgian College is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) and approved by the Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act (HARP).

Graduates of this program will be eligible to write the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) exam and apply for certification with the Ontario Dental Assistants Association (ODAA). To be certified by the Canadian Dental Assistants Association (CDAA), graduates must successfully complete the NDAEB exam. Graduates are also approved to expose digital and traditional radiographs prescribed by a dentist. 

Program Progression

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake

  • Sem 1: Fall 2024
  • Sem 2: Winter 2025
  • Sem 3: Summer 2025

Winter Intake 

  • Sem 1: Winter 2025
  • Sem 2: Summer 2025
  • Sem 3: Fall 2025

Admission Requirements

OSSD or equivalent with

  • Grade 12 English (C or U)
  • Grade 11 Chemistry (U) or Grade 12 Chemistry (C or U)
  • Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C or U)
  • Grade 11 or 12 Mathematics (C or U)

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student's responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.

NOTE: Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not pardoned will be prohibited from proceeding to a clinical or work placement.

Additional Information

Clinical Preparedness Permit 
Students must complete the Clinical Preparedness Permit prior to week 12 of semester 1. To start the process, download the Clinical Preparedness Permit and the information package. 

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they submit the permit on time and that the information is kept up-to-date throughout the duration of the program.

Please Note: Some components of the permit, specifically the Vulnerable Sector Police Check, often require many weeks to complete. The college assumes no responsibility for costs incurred or missed clinic time related to late submission of the required documents.

Placement Requirements

In addition to a 4-week placement in semester three, there is also a 4 to 5 day placement at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry in semester two (Fall intake) or semester three (Winter intake). Students are responsible for the costs related to transportation and accommodation if needed. Please direct inquiries to the program coordinator.

Physical Considerations

Applicants are advised that for the program's clinical requirements and future employment situations, they must have good vision (with or without corrective lenses), be able to sit and stand for prolonged periods, and mix various materials using repetitive wrist motions. Applicants with back/neck/wrist or visual problems should discuss individual concerns with the program coordinator.

Graduation Requirements

11 Program Courses
1 Communications Course
1 General Education Course
4 Clinical Placements
1 Field Placement

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, and to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester unless otherwise stated on the course outline.

Program Tracking

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
Program Courses  
BIOL 1014 The Essential Body 42
DENT 1027 Orofacial Anatomy 42
DENT 1059 Clinical Support Procedures 42
DENT 1061 Developing a Professional Identity in Dental Assisting 1 14
Clinical Placements  
DENT 1041 Clinical Assisting - Operative Theory and Restorative Preclinic 84
DENT 1060 Dental Radiography 56
Communications Course  
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration. 42
 Hours322
Semester 2
Program Courses  
DENT 1029 Dental Health Education 42
DENT 1030 Applied Sciences in Dental Assisting 42
DENT 1062 Introduction to Dental Materials and Specialties 84
DENT 1064 Developing a Professional Identity in Dental Assisting 2 14
Clinical Placement  
DENT 1063 Intraoral Preventive Procedures and Restorative Rotations 126
General Education Course  
Select 1 course from the general education course during registration. 42
 Hours350
Semester 3
Program Courses  
DENT 1028 Dental Office Management 42
DENT 1036 Community Oral Health 42
DENT 1066 Advanced Dental Materials 24
Clinical Placement  
DENT 1065 Clinical Consolidation 56
Field Placement  
DENT 1035 Field Placement - Dental Assistant 150
 Hours314
 Total Hours986

Graduation Window

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of one year (as stated above) may take a maximum of two years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission.

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.

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