Apr 02, 2026

College Catalog 2026-2027

Dental Assistant Certificate

Certificate of Completion: 60 credits

Academic Plan: DEADAC45

Enrollment Point: Fall or Winter Quarter

Students prepare for employment as Registered Dental Assistants (RDA). RDA’s will work in dental offices performing such tasks as four-handed dentistry, bookkeeping/record keeping, exposing radiographs, obtaining digital scans and performing expanded functions. The program includes lectures, demonstrations, small and large group discussions, and practicum.

Class typically meets Monday through Friday from 8:00am-2:30pm either online or on campus. Specific course hours will be provided upon entry to program. On clinic days, class meets on campus from 7:00am-3:00pm.

The hours during internship vary depending on the intern site.

A Certificate of Completion is awarded upon successful completion of all program course requirements (two [2] attempts per course only). To earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Applied Science- Transfer (AAS-T) degree, students must complete the certificate program and meet the general education course requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Apply the knowledge and skills necessary to safely perform chairside assisting including clinical, laboratory, radiology and expanded functions procedures as allowed by the Washington State Dental Practice Act.
Demonstrate clear communication by following written and verbal directives and delivering clear, accurate instructions and/or critical patient education.
Demonstrate accountability of practice with adherence to ethical and legal standards of the dental profession.
Demonstrate skills and attitudes that contribute to safe working conditions in the dental office, including environmental issues and all aspects of infection control as they relate to dentistry.
Achieve Infection Control certification by successfully completing the Dental Assistant National Board Infection Control Exam (ICE) and/or secure employment in a dental office.

Program Requirements

To be admitted to the Dental Assistant Program, a prospective student must meet the following requirements:

Minimum age: 18 years at time of enrollment

High School Diploma/GED (or equivalent) at time of enrollment (Running Start high school students may apply)

Directed Self Placement (DSP): COMP 100 or ENGL& 101

English Fluency (verbal and written)

Upon invitation and acceptance to the Dental Assistant Program, students must provide confirmation of an account established with CastleBranch.com and pass a nationwide criminal background check (Crimes Against Persons list).

Website: http://portal.castlebranch.com/rr63

Package code: RR67

Cost: $113.99 (do not create an account prior to invitation and registration to the program)

After invitation to the program, students must meet vaccination and program specific health requirements in compliance with the Center for Disease Control Healthcare Provider immunization guidelines, including the submission of original lab results, x-ray reports and immunization records, which must be dated and signed by their healthcare provider.

Immunization Timeline Table

*Vaccinations must be current while on campus for pre-clinical & clinical activities and externships (all 4 quarters)

Annual Tuberculosis skin test

Annual seasonal Influenza vaccine

Annual Covid vaccine

Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine within last 10 years

Hepatitis B vaccine (series of three vaccines and immunity titer)

Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (two vaccines or proof of immunity titer)

Varicella vaccine (two vaccines or proof of immunity titer)

Annual background-check through CastleBranch.com

Personal health insurance upon entry and for the duration of the program

Current (within one year) physical evaluation by a physician or nurse practitioner to ensure student and patient safety. The evaluation should address the following areas in respect to the student’s ability to perform the laboratory skills and clinical responsibilities related to becoming a Dental Assistant:

Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds and to reach overhead

Ability to stand or walk for long periods

Screening and Tracking Requirements

Student Evaluation

17 courses are required for a Certificate of Completion and a minimum of 80% is required in each course (with the exception of internship/externship course, which requires a ”complete” grade in order to continue, DENT 161 Mathematics and COL 101 which requires a minimum of 70%.

Students are evaluated:

On performance in written and oral assignments.

On examinations in pre-clinical, clinical and individual projects.

On work habits which are displayed in participation, punctuality, cooperation, attitude, and enthusiasm.

The student’s clinical phase is graded according to the contract between the clinical site and RTC, the instructors’ observations and the student’s evaluation of his/her performance.

Students receive a decimal grade (as defined below) for each unit of study.

Students with a grade below an 80% on any exam are counseled and re-tested. There will be no more than two attempts on any given material. The objectives must be met to the satisfaction of both the instructor and student and the minimum 80% must be achieved on the re-take.

GPA Requirements

Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.5
Minimum grade for all other courses: 2.0

Minimum grade for each DENT course: 2.7

*Note: Clinical & Field-Based Experience courses require a Credit (CR) grade

*Note: Field-Based Experience course (Co-op) requires a ”Complete” grade.

Dental Assistant Certificate

Program Requirements

Quarter 1

Quarter 2

Quarter 3

Quarter 4

Student Evaluation

GPA Requirements