College Catalog Cover Design 2 - Pima Community College

Dental Studies
Complete programs to work in direct patient care as a dental hygienist or assistant, or prepare for a career in a dental
laboratory.
• Dental assisting Education
• Dental Hygiene
• Dental laboratory technologies
Dental Assisting Education
Dental Assisting Education — Certificate for Direct Employment
learn to assist dentists and other dental professionals in patient care. Complete at least 336 hours of clinical work in
dental clinics or offices. this program is accredited by the american Dental association Commission on Dental
accreditation. Complete this program by taking classes exclusively on weekdays.
Before enrolling in this program, you must meet certain requirements:
this degree requires a special program application. students may request a program application available at:
http://www.pima.edu/program/dental/dentalassist-addinfo/dental-assist-admission.shtml when all prerequisites are
complete.
Because of the clinical component of this program, students must:
• Be able to perform a number of physical activities in the clinical portion of the program. at a minimum, students will
need to stand for several hours at a time and perform bending activities. the clinical experience also places students
under considerable mental and emotional stress as they undertake responsibilities and duties impacting patients’
lives. students must be able to demonstrate rational and appropriate behavior under stressful conditions. individuals
should give careful consideration to the mental and physical demands of the program prior to submittiing an
application.
• Present proof of immunization and/or immunity for mmr/Varicella/Hepatitis-B/tDaP.
• show proof of negative tB skin test or negative chest x-ray for tB.
• maintain health insurance and a current CPr card at the Health Care Provider level throughout the program.
What can I do with this certificate?
Career Options: take the exams to gain national Dental assisting Certification, arizona oral radiology Certification and
Coronal Polishing Certification. Work as a dental assistant in hospitals, clinics and dental offices.
Academic Options: Continue your studies by taking courses toward the Dental Hygienist aas degree.
Location: West Campus
Department/Contact Information:
Dean: 206-6661
lead faculty: 206-6916
Program Prerequisites
students must have completed the following requirements before they begin the application process:
Compass reading assessment score of 90 or completion of rEa 112. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-4
High school or college biology course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-4
High school diploma or g.E.D.
Subtotal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-8
Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
Required Core Courses - A grade of C or better is required for graduation.
DaE 159* introduction to Health Care for Dental assisting (F) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
DaE 160* orientation to Dental Care (F) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
f= fall | sp= spring | su= summer | n/o= may not be offered this year, check class schedule
DEntal stuDiEs
Pima Community College Catalog 2011/2012 156