About : Dental Assisting
Advisory Committee Membership
Accreditation Agency Info.
Admissions
Clinical Training Sites
Program Description:
A 12-month Dental Assisting Program where a student learns the skills necessary to become a Dental Assistant in both classrooms and on-site labs. The training also places each student in local dental offices where hands-on experience is gained.
Each student/graduate must apply with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners to become a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) for employment in Texas. The application process will require participation in a review course, the passing of an exam, proof of CPR certification and applicable fees.
A Dental Assisting Program graduate receiving a Certificate of Completion also becomes eligible to take a national exam, which allows the individual to be professionally identified as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
The pre-requisite, HPRS 1201, Introduction to Health Professions, must be completed prior to enrolling in the Dental Assisting Program. See Coleman College for Health Sciences class schedule for course availability.
Job Profile
A dental assistant works under the supervision of a licensed dentist. The individual assists in the care and treatment of patients in the dental office and performs various functions.
As a vital member of the dental health team, a dental assistant prepares patients for treatment, provides dentists with necessary instruments, instructs patients in proper oral hygiene, records dental services and performs various lab procedures.
Advisory Committee Members
Program advisory committee members consist of Dentists, Hygienists and Certified Dental Assistants. Members are:
Dr. Douglas Simmons, Chair Florence Stephens, CDA
Dr. Kerry Bloom Myriam Zambrano, RDH, CDA
Lorraine Alexander, RDA Barbara Meleski
Marie Thomas, CDA, RDA Mishie Nesbitt, BSBM, CDA, RDA
Dr. Ben Warner Sobeyda Muro, CDA Marina Pedraza, RDA
Dr. MaryDawn Hurst Dr. Thomas Hurst
1 Student member from current class Adrian Freeman, RDA
Faculty: Add credentials: Canales, CDA, RDA
Jukes, BS, CDA, RDA
Perez, BS, CDA, RDA
Accreditation Agency
The program in Dental Assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312)440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678.
Admissions
Each applicant must submit a Health Science Program Application to the Dental Assisting Program Office in the Coleman College of Health Sciences . If no previous enrollment or testing activity has taken place at HCCS, the applicant must also complete and submit an “HCCS Application for Admission” on line at http://saweb.hccs.edu. An application for the Dental Assisting Program is accepted all year.
The following items also must be completed and on file in the Admissions Office:
- Official high school transcript or GED scores.
- College transcript(s), if applicable.
- Record of ASSET/COMPASS placement test. If the test results require developmental courses, the courses must be completed and proof of passing must also be provided. An applicant’s ASSET/COMPASS level must place the individual into ENGL 0310 and GUST 0342. The Math placement should be Math 0306. Passing TASP scores may be accepted in lieu of the ASSET/COMPASS results.
- Foreign transcripts (high school and college) must be evaluated by a HCCS approved Evaluation service.
Clinical Training Sites
The clinical training sites for this program are all over the Greater Houston Metropolitan area. We use general practice offices, oral surgery offices, orthodontic offices, pediatric offices and some of the other dental specialties. We use small private practices and large dental clinics.
