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The Dental Assisting Certificate is designed to prepare graduates for positions in private dental offices; hospitals; federal, state and municipal health departments; correctional institutions; dental clinics; or in the armed forces. Dental assistants work in a variety of office situations, both specialty and general practice, performing office and clinical assisting duties. Duties can include: assisting the dentist with examinations and fillings; preparing and sterilizing instruments; exposing and organizing radiographs; maintaining infection control; performing laboratory procedures; and performing reception and office management procedures.
The Certificate Program provides the student with opportunities to acquire knowledge in the area of dental terminology, dental materials, radiography, and chairside assisting. Classroom sessions are complemented by planned practical experiences in the On-campus and off-site dental clinic and dental offices.
Department of Dental Hygiene
Professional Organization
Students are required to maintain student membership in the professional organization for dental assistants, The American Dental Assistants’ Association (ADAA), 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1730, Chicago, Illinois, 60601-2211, phone number 312-541-1550 or 877-874-3785, fax 312-541-1496, web address adaausa.org, as part of the program requirements.
Health Requirements
Students are required to have a physical exam, including an eye exam, before starting the Fall Semester. Lab exams are required and include: CBC, Urinalysis, RPR/VDRL, Mumps Titer, 2-Step PPD, Diphtheria Toxoid & Tetanus Toxoid, MMR vaccination record or Rubella Titer, Hepatitis B (3part series). Health Requirements must be completed before the start of the semester.
Work Environment
The dental health care worker provides services in an environment that includes blood and saliva. Diseases may be encountered in this type of environment. However, research shows that risks are negligible when appropriate infection control procedure/barrier techniques are used. Upon entering the program, there is in-depth training to meet the protocol for a hazard-free, safe learning environment. Students are required to complete Health Requirements and have CPR certification before entrance into the program.
Clinical Experiences
Owens Community College has a 21 chair Dental Hygiene Clinic. There is a clinical affiliation with the Dental Center of Northwest Ohio located on 2138 Madison Avenue, Toledo, Ohio and 1800 North Blanchard, Suite 122, Findlay, Ohio. Dental Assisting students will work in a dental office and a specialty office as part of the Dental Assisting Practicum. Students will assist Dental Hygiene and EFDA students in the Dental Hygiene Clinic. The Dental Center of Northwest Ohio is also a clinical affiliate. Students will work in a dental office and specialty practice during the Practicum.
Certification
A student completing the Dental Assisting Certificate will be eligible to take the Ohio Dental Assisting Certification Exam which will also enable the student to be a Dental Radiographer. All students are required to sit for the Commission on Ohio Dental Assistant Certification (CODA) State Certification Exam in Columbus, Ohio. The Ohio State Dental Board (OSDB) has restrictions on granting licensure to individuals who have prior felony convictions or mental incompetence. Check the OSDB website for further information.
Associate Degree Options
Students earning a certificate can take Arts and Science courses to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. Meet with an Advisor or the Department Chair for more information.
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