This program combines the technical knowledge and skills required to function successfully as a chairside dental assistant with the essential aspects of office procedures. The expanded functions that are required for state licensure are taught to clinical proficiency. Please note: the Dental Board of California requires either a social security number or a federal employee identification number on the application for state licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant. Please visit the Dental Board of California’s website for all requirements for the RDA application at www.dbc.ca.gov.

For program information and application procedure, please visit http://hs.marin.edu/dental-assisting

The Registered Dental Assisting Program is offered only at the Indian Valley Campus. It is a sequential program leading to an Associate in Science degree and a Certificate of Achievement. The program is accredited by the California Board of Dental Examiners and the American Dental Association. Graduates are eligible to sit for the State Registered Dental Assistant Licensure Examinations, which requires mandatory live-scan fingerprinting. Graduates are also eligible for the Dental Assisting National Board Examination. Students must maintain a C grade or higher in all courses to earn their Certificate of Completion, a requirement of the Commission on Accreditation. College of Marin’s courses in Registered Dental Assisting, in addition to fulfilling the College of Marin graduation requirements, will award an Associate in Science degree. These courses will transfer toward a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science at California State Universities (see a counselor or Director of Dental Assisting for more details.) All students should consult a counselor.

Program Learning Outcomes:

🗸 Perform the components of preventive dentistry including nutritional diet analysis, oral hygiene instruction, caries detection, pit and fissure sealants, and coronal polishing procedures.

🗸 Explain the ethical parameters of the Dental Law as it relates to the dental assistant.

🗸 Expose intraoral and extraoral dental radiographs for the patient's oral health assessment.

🗸 Take and pour dental diagnostic impressions used for study models.

🗸 Assist the dentist at chairside with regards to moisture control, oral evacuation, instrument transfers, charting, and dental patient emergencies.

🗸 Manipulate dental materials for restorative dental procedures.

🗸 Sterilize instruments and disinfect dental equipment to prevent cross contamination following OSHA compliance.

🗸 Seek entry-level employment in the dental field.

🗸 Sit for the State Registered Dental Assisting Examination and the Dental National Board.