Dental Assistant, C.C.

Location(s): Highlands Campus

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Program Code: 3450

The Dental Assistant curriculum prepares you to be a versatile member of the dental health team who works alongside the dentist. You will be expected to master theoretical, practical, and clinical skills including dental basic sciences, dental radiographic techniques, dental materials, sterilization and infection control, office management, dental specialties, and expanded duties. Upon successful completion of the Dental Assistant program, you will receive certification in expanded duties. Completion of the program also prepares you for Pathway I toward the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) designations. The South Florida State College Dental Assistant Program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60611.

Length: 1230 contact hours / 41 occupational credits

This is a limited access program. Admission to this program occurs once per year. Online applications will be accepted until the posted deadline date at 11:59 p.m. Visit southflorida.edu/healthsciences for important application information and deadlines.

Basic Skills Exit Requirement (TABE):

All students must meet the Exit Requirement (TABE) or qualify for an exemption.

You are exempt if you:

Earned a GED within the last two years
Graduated from a Florida high school with a standard diploma in 2007 or later
Are an adult student with a documented disability
Hold an Associate in Applied Science degree or higher

Other exemptions may also apply. For more information, contact Advising and Counseling at 863-784-7131.

For non-exempt students:

You must take the TABE (entry-level exam) within six weeks of starting the program.
If your test results show you need additional skills, you’ll be referred to applied academics or another adult education program for structured basic skills instruction. This instruction may include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
You must demonstrate the required basic skills before receiving a Career Certificate of Completion, as outlined in the state curriculum frameworks.

Basic Skills Exit Scores (TABE):

	Math	577
	Language	573
	Reading	563

Admission Requirements

I.	Verification from a licensed general dentist substantiating completion of at least 32 hours of observation, or work experience.

II.	College Entrance Testing (SFSC Testing and Assessment Center is in Building B, Room 255; 863-784-7214 or 863-784-7114):
	A.	You must document proof of occupational placement testing with minimum scores from any combination of the following:
		1.	TABE^®
			a.	Math	577
			b.	Reading:	573
			c.	Language:	563
				…or…
		2.	PERT
			a.	Reading:	106
			b.	Writing:	103
			c.	Math:	114
				…or…
		3.	ACT
			a.	Reading:	19
			b.	Writing:	17
			c.	Math:	19
				…or…
		4.	SAT I^®
			a.	Verbal:	24
			b.	Math:	24
	B.	You must pass Freshman English I and/or Developmental Math II, with a C or higher.
				…or…
	C.	You must have an A.A. or higher.
				…or…
	D.	Be exempt.

III.	Demonstrate competency in basic computer skills in one of four ways:
	A.	A passing grade in a computer course on a high school transcript.
	B.	A grade of C or higher in a computer course at the college-level.
	C.	Introduction to Microcomputers using Windows during the Dental Assistant Program.
	D.	Verified experiential credit.

IV.	You must complete a Dental Assistant Program application for admission to the program.

Admission Procedures

You are responsible for following the admissions procedures and for ensuring that your records are complete in the Admissions, Registration, and Records Office. No application will be considered unless it is complete.

I.	Submit the following to apply to the program:
	A.	Completed online SFSC Admissions Application, select Dental Assistant major/program.
	B.	Official high school/GED^® transcript. If you are currently in high school, you must be 18 years or older and have your diploma before the fall program start date.
	C.	Official transcript from each postsecondary institution.
	D.	College placement test scores.
	E.	Verification from a licensed general dentist or substantiating completion of at least 32 hours of observation, volunteer service, or work experience.

II.	Once accepted into the program, you will receive instructions to complete the following:
	A.	Physical health exam and a record of immunizations from a licensed physician or nurse practitioner, and a statement of satisfactory dental health from a licensed dentist (forms will be provided after acceptance into the program).
	B.	Florida Department of Law Enforcement fingerprinting (will be scheduled prior to enrollment).
	C.	CPR Certification.
	D.	You will be required to submit program documentation through a third-party compliance company throughout the program.

NOTE: Failure to complete these requirements will result in loss of enrollment into the program.

Selection Criteria

The following are specific criteria that will be used when making selections for the Dental Assistant Program:

1.	Verification from a licensed general dentist, substantiating completion of at least 32 hours of observation, or work experience.
2.	Meets requirements of occupational placement testing or equivalent.

Selection Process

I.	If you meet the minimum application requirements, you will be considered for admission into the program.

II.	This is a limited access program and only 12 students are accepted each academic year beginning in August. Applicants are accepted based on date completed applications are received.

III.	In cases where all credentials are equal, the following criteria will be used in the noted sequence to determine whether you will be admitted into the program:
	A.	previous degree(s),
	B.	completion of ENC 1101 - Freshman English I and/or SPC 2608 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication , and
	C.	date of receiving application.

IV.	You may be notified by email of acceptance into the program.

Advanced Standing

If you apply to SFSC’s Dental Assistant Program and have attended a dental assistant program at an accredited college or university in Florida, you may be admitted to the SFSC Dental Assistant Program with advanced standing credit. Dental Assistant courses with DES prefixes and the last three digits are automatically transferable. The Dental Assistant Program chair determines if the course or courses (whether from the Florida Dental Assistant Program or an out-of-state Dental Assistant Program) are the same in content and credit hour(s) as those offered at SFSC. A grade of C or higher must be earned for each course equivalent.

General Information

1.	SFSC reserves the right to deny admission to you, if you lack required qualifications for the Dental Assistant Program.
2.	You must reapply, if you wish to be considered for a subsequent class. Each class is selected from a new applicant pool.
3.	The College adheres to federal and state laws controlling equal access/equal opportunity.
4.	If you have excessive absences, you will be dropped from the program (excessive absences are defined as being absent from 10% or more scheduled class contact hours with a grade average less than 75%, or being absent from 15% or more scheduled class contact hours regardless of the grade).
5.	If you have life or health conditions that might hinder attendance, you may wish to consider another program or delay application until a strong commitment to attendance can be made.
6.	An official criminal history background check is required for entry into the Dental Assistant Program. Be aware that some providers of clinical experience will not allow individuals with certain types of criminal history into their facilities. This may be cause for denial into the program enrollment, because such individuals would not be able to successfully complete clinical portions of the Dental Assistant Program.
7.	Program admission documentation is required to be submitted to a third-party compliance management company, CastleBranch, during admission process.

Academic Requirements

1.	You are expected to be punctual in attending every lecture, lab, clinical session, and off campus rotation. If you have excessive absences, you will be dropped from the program.
2.	You must maintain a 70% in each and every dental assistant course. Laboratory courses require higher passing scores for each subsequent term. Less than 70% will result in being dropped from the program.

Required Courses

Fall Term (Weeks 1-16)

Total Contact Hours: 382

Spring Term (Weeks 17-32)

Total Contact Hours: 514

Summer Term (Weeks 33-45)

Total Contact Hours: 334

Approximate Program Costs

Admission fee	$ 15
CastleBranch document management/fingerprinting	97
CPR	65
Gas for clinical rotations	500
Graduation fee	15
Graduation pin	10
Laboratory fees	1,924
Medical costs (varies by provider)	500
Textbooks	1,016
Tuition	3,629
Approximate Total	$ 7,771