The dental assistant increases the efficiency of the dentist in the delivery of oral health care. The dental assisting program prepares students to become skilled members of the dental health team.
The Undergraduate Certificate in Dental Assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and articulates with the AAS in Dental Assisting.
Licensure and/or Certification Information
Graduates of the Undergraduate Certificate in Dental Assisting are eligible to sit for the Certified Dental Assistant national certification examination from the Dental Assisting National Board.
Please go to UAA's Authorization by State website for information about licensure or certification in a state other than Alaska.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Certificate Degrees.
- Complete a dental assisting application. The application link can be found on the program's website as step #5.
- Complete UAA-approved English and mathematics placement tests. Contact Testing Center at (907) 786-4525 for testing times. If test scores are low, additional coursework will be recommended to help the applicant achieve the goal of completing the dental assisting program.
- Two letters of recommendation sent to the dental assisting program (on the required forms) are mandatory. Preferably these letters should come from former or current employers or instructors. The recommendation forms can be found on the program's website (as step #3).
- Special admission requirements apply. Interested individuals must contact an advisor in dental assisting to review procedures and requirements for admission.
The information listed above must be in the applicant’s file before they will be considered for admission in the program in the fall semester of the year applying.
Applicants with complete files are selected for admission based upon their test scores, grades in high school and college, and ability to complete the application process. If test results are low, applicants will be advised to take courses to improve reading comprehension levels.
Special Considerations
Expenses beyond tuition include activity fees, uniforms, lab fees, student organization membership, immunizations, cost of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) class, Dental Assisting National Board Exam (DANB) fees, and student health insurance.
Immunizations and CPR certification are required prior to clinical participation and must be current throughout the program. Students must be free of tooth decay and active periodontal disease.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Undergraduate Certificates.
- Complete the following major requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | ||
| DA A101 | Essentials of Dentistry | 2 |
| DA A102 | Infection Control in Dentistry | 3 |
| DA A103 | Dental Auxiliary Professions | 1 |
| DA A109 | Radiographic Imaging for Dental Assistants | 2 |
| or DA A110 | Dental Radiography | |
| DA A110L | Dental Radiography Laboratory | 1 |
| DA A130 | Chairside Techniques I | 3 |
| DA A195A | Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| DA A127 | Dental Office Administration | 1 |
| DA A150 | Biomedical and Dental Sciences for Dental Assistants | 2 |
| DA A160 | Materials in Dentistry | 3 |
| DA A195A | Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
| DA A201 | Chairside Techniques II | 4 |
| DA A202 | Dental Specialties | 2 |
| DA A295A | Clinical Practicum II | 1 |
| Summer Semester | ||
| DA A295A | Clinical Practicum II | 4 |
| Total | 31 | |
A minimum of 31 credits is required for the certificate.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with an Undergraduate Certificate in Dental Assisting will be able to:
- Demonstrate skills and knowledge necessary to be competent in the dental assisting field.
- Demonstrate professional standards according to OSHA, ADA, OSAP, ADAA and radiation health and safety standards.
- Demonstrate ethical behavior in a dental office setting.