DENTAL FOUNDATIONS MICROCERTIFICATE/DENTAL ASSISTING BRIDGE PROGRAM INFORMATION PACKET FOR SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE STUDENTS DESCRIPTION: Skagit Valley College (SVC), the Northwest Career & Technical Academy (NCTA), and Bellingham Technical College (BTC) have partnered to provide a part-time, two-semester Dental Foundations Microcertificate and Dental Assisting bridge program that will help prepare students for entry-level employment or transition to continuing education at the college level. This unique learning environment will not only provide educational opportunities for high school juniors and seniors, but will also co-enroll interested Skagit Valley College students. The Dental Assisting program prepares the student to be a key member of the dental team and assist the operator chair-side during diagnostic, preventative and operative dental procedures, including exposing x-rays, placing sealants, polishing teeth, preparing dental materials, and placing temporary restorations. The Northwest Career and Technical Academy (NCTA) operates a dental clinic that is staffed with dental professionals. The clinic provides students with clinical experiences, including four-handed expanded function chair-side practice and equipment maintenance using a variety of delivery systems. Upon completion of the Dental Foundations Microcertificate, students will be encouraged to further their education and training through the following options: Seek entry-level employment with opportunities for additional mentored training in the workplace environment; or Seek continuing education at Bellingham Technical College to complete either the Dental Assisting Certificate or Dental Assisting AAS or AAS-T accredited degree program; or Seek continuing education at Skagit Valley College in one of several Allied Health-related program areas. The Dental Foundations Microcertificate provides preparation for employment as a Sterilization Assistant or Dental Receptionist. An employer may also provide the on-the-job training necessary to move into a Dental Assistant position. To become better prepared for employment as a Dental Assistant, students completing the Dental Foundations Microcertificate can continue their training at BTC and complete a Dental Assistant certificate. Typical Work Tasks: Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office and laboratory duties. Specific tasks typically required of a dental assistant include: Perform basic chair-side assisting techniques in general and specialty practices. Expose, process, and mount dental radiographs/x-rays. Place sealants, polish teeth, prepare dental materials, and place temporary restorations. Sterilize/disinfect instruments and equipment; prepare procedural trays. Record patient medical and dental history, and chart pertinent patient information. Instruct patients on post-operative and preventative oral health care, including good nutrition. Schedule patients for various treatments, maintain a recall system, complete patient insurance forms, make financial arrangements, and use basic dental software. Order and maintain dental office supplies/inventory. Perform dental assisting expanded functions allowed in the state of Washington. Program Start Date: September 5, 2012
DENTAL FOUNDATIONS MICROCERTIFICATE/DENTAL ASSISTING BRIDGE PROGRAM SEQUENCE OF STUDY COLLEGE TECHNICAL CORE REQUIREMENTS The following Skagit Valley College courses will be included in the two semester Dental Technology program offered at the Northwest Career and Technical Academy (NCTA). All courses will be transcribed through Skagit Valley College. Program Number Title Program Credits SVC MicroCertificate Credits AHE 200 First Aid & Emergency Procedures 3 DEN 100 Introduction to Dental Assisting 1 1 DEN 105 Head and Neck Anatomy 2 2 AHE 106 Anatomy & Physiology 6 6 DEN 110 Dental Foundations 5 5 DEN 114 Dental Sciences 4 4 Total Credits 21 18 SCHEDULE: SVC Fall Quarter (Quarter One: Sept. December ) AHE 106 (6 cr) Anatomy and Physiology DEN 100 (1 cr) Introduction to Dental Assisting TOTAL: 7 credits SVC Winter Quarter (Quarter Two: January March ) AHE 200 (3 cr) First Aid & Emergency Procedures (if needed) DEN 110 (5 cr) Dental Foundations TOTAL: 8 credits SVC Spring Quarter (Quarter Three: April June ) DEN 105 (2 cr) Head and Neck Anatomy DEN 114 (4 cr) Dental Sciences TOTAL: 6 credits DENTAL FOUNDATIONS MICROCERTIFICATE A Skagit Valley College Dental Foundations microcertificate will be awarded to all students who complete DEN 100, DEN 105, AHE 106, DEN 110 and DEN 114. Financial Aid is not available for this certificate. Class Hours: (All DEN courses take place at the Northwest Career & Technical Academy on the SVC campus) DEN01 AM class 8:00a.m. 10:30a.m., daily DEN02 PM class 11:25a.m. 1:55p.m., daily College Credit: 21 credits from Skagit Valley College To qualify for college credit and program ready status for admission into BTC s Dental Assisting Certificate or AAS Degree program, students must receive a minimum of C (2.0) or better grades in all academic general education courses and prerequisite clinical courses to earn college credit; BTC requires a B (3.0) or better grades in DEN 110 and 114. All courses will be transcribed through Skagit Valley College. Admissions: Students must enter the program Fall quarter. Contact Valerie Thompson at (360) 416-7662 or valerie.thompson@skagit.edu to obtain an information packet. If scheduled, attend an Orientation Session for answering questions and registering for classes.
Background check: All students entering the Dental Assistant program will be required to pass both an Illegal Substance-Illegal Drug Screen and Criminal Background check. This is based on medical industry standards and Washington State laws protecting vulnerable populations (RCW 43.43.880 and 43.43.842). This practice is common among colleges and universities in Washington State and is required by clinical agencies where students complete their clinical practicum. This screening occurs at the start of the first quarter for the Dental Assistant program. To begin the screening process, go to https://client.verifiedcredentials.com/svc and the fee for the screening is $82. Students who are unable to pass the above mentioned screens will be prevented from continuing the program. Immunizations: Prior to, or during the first week of the quarter, students must provide the instructor with documentation/evidence of current immunization status. The following immunizations must be current: Tdap vaccine (within the last five years) includes tetnus and pertussis 2 MMRs (measles/mumpsrubella)vaccinations or positive titer Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine series (at least the first two shots, and the third within 6 months) TB skin test (negative) or chest X-ray Additional immunizations may be required if recommended by instructor or required by clinical placement: Flu Vaccine (an annual flu vaccine is strongly recommended) Varicella Vaccine Transportation: Students must provide their own transportation to and from clinical sites for job shadows, workplace experiences and internships. Required Materials and Supplies: instructor will provide final list prior to start of school. The Skagit Valley College bookstore will stock textbooks and uniforms. You will need to purchase white (or mostly white) athletic shoes. TRANSFER/PROGRAM READY ADMISSION at Bellingham Technical College (BTC): Students who successfully complete the courses above may choose to continue their education at BTC and complete their Dental Assisting Certificate or Degree. To be eligible for program ready admission into the Dental Assisting program, applicants must meet all regular college admission requirements, including satisfactory completion of the general education/academic prerequisite courses. The following academic prerequisite courses must be completed PRIOR to being admitted to BTC s Dental Assisting program. Students might consider taking one general education course each quarter. Students must complete 15 credits of academic general education coursework and receive a minimum 2.0 (C) or better grades in all academic courses prior to being admitted to BTC s Dental Assisting program as follows: English (5 credits): course applies to both certificate and degree programs ENGL& 101: English Composition I Choose one Math (5 credits): WMATH 100: Professional/Technical Applied Math, or (choose this math to complete certificate program) MATH& 107: Math in Society (choose this math to complete degree program) Choose one Social Science (5 credits): course applies to both certificate and degree programs CMST& 210: Interpersonal Communication, or PSYC& 100: General Psychology -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAMPLE SCHEDULE TO EARN DENTAL ASSISTING CERTIFICATE AT BTC Within one year of completing the bridge program, students must submit their intent to enroll application form to the designated BTC program representative. Students who are program ready will enter Dental Assisting at the 2 nd quarter to complete two courses. Program Number Title Credits Transfer to BTC DENTAL ASSISTING BRIDGE PROGRAM First Quarter through SVC (7 credits) AHE 106 Anatomy and Physiology 6 5 credits DEN 100 Introduction to Dental Assisting 1 1 Second Quarter through SVC (8 credits) AHE 200 First Aid & Emergency Procedures (if needed) 3 1.5 DEN 110 Dental Foundations 5 5 Third Quarter through SVC (6 credits) DEN 105 Head and Neck Anatomy 2 2 DEN 114 Dental Sciences 4 4 Total Credits 21 18.5 credits Complete Gen Ed Requirements at SVC take one class per quarter ENGL& 101 English Composition 5 5 MATH& 107 Math in Society, or take 5 5 WMATH 100 Professional-Technical Applied Math PSYC& 100 General Psychology, or take 5 5 CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communications Total Credits 15 15 credits Total Credits Earned During Bridge Program Year 36 33.5 COMPLETE DENTAL ASSISTING CERTIFICATE at BTC Quarter Two DEN 112 Chairside Assisting 7 DEN 115 Dental Clinic Practicum I 6 Total Credits 13 Quarter Three DEN 120 Patient Assessment 8 DEN 122 Chairside Assisting II 6 DEN 124 Radiography 3 DEN 125 Dental Clinic Practicum II 4 Total Credits 21 Quarter Four DEN 130 Preventative Dentistry 3 DEN 132 Dental Specialties 1 DEN 134 Laboratory Procedures 2 DEN 135 Dental Clinic Practicum III 4 DEN 137 Extramural Practicum 8 Total Credits 18 Total Credits Required to Complete Certificate 85.5
Dental Assisting Bridge Program - Technical Core Course Descriptions AHE 106 - Anatomy and Physiology (6 Credits) Covers the structure and function of the multiple systems of the human body. Develop an understanding of how cultural influences may alter the external appearances and internal functioning of different population groups. AHE 200 First Aid and Emergency Procedures (3 Credits) Recognition, response, and management of emergencies. Covers training in the use of the external cardiac defibrillator. Includes 7 hours of training in AIDS prevention taught by a WA state certified instructor using the required WA state curriculum. Health Care Provider First Aid and CPR are taught. Health Care Provider First Aid and CPR cards and an AIDS Prevention Certificate will be awarded after successful completion of this class. DEN 100 - Introduction to Dental Assisting (1 Credit) Orientation to college and program policies, procedures, standards, materials and resources. Introduction to the role of dental assisting within the field of dentistry and to the historical, legal, and ethical issues relating to dental assisting. DEN 105 - Head and Neck Anatomy (2 Credits) Introduction to structure of head and neck region. Emphasis on anatomical structures of the skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, and digestive systems as it pertains to the head and neck. Includes an overview of microbiology and disease. DEN 110 - Dental Foundations (5 Credits) Provides the foundation necessary to enter into the Bellingham Technical College dental clinic. Learn the knowledge and skills required to maintain a safe dental environment. Includes federal and state regulations regarding chemical use and infection control in the dental office. Introduction to basic concepts of radiology. Learn how to evaluate need for X-rays including: exposing, processing and mounting intraoral radiographs. Prerequisite: DEN 100 and 105. DEN 114 - Dental Sciences (4 Credits) Focuses on related biomedical sciences that are the foundation of the dental assistant curriculum. Includes basic oral embryology and histology and tooth morphology. Concepts of oral pathology and oral inspection are introduced. Includes the disease process of HIV-AIDS and how it relates to dentistry. Prerequisite: DEN 100 and 105 ENGL& 101 - English Composition I (5 Credits) The study of fundamental writing skills and varied writing strategies leading to the planning, organizing, writing, and revising of academic essays. Prerequisite: Appropriate COMPASS score or grade of 2.0 or higher in ENGL 99. MATH & 107 - Math in Society (5 credits) A terminal course in mathematics for non-math or non-science majors. The course fulfills the quantitative reasoning requirement for the AAUCT degree and for transfer. Topics may include logic, probability, statistics, geometry, modeling, linear algebra, finance, trigonometry, problem solving, and the history of mathematics. A graphing calculator may be required. Prerequisite: MATH 099 with a grade of C or higher, or equivalent math placement score. WMATH 100 - Professional Technical Applied Math (5 credits) This course is non-transferable and for professional/technical students only. Basic mathematics used in several occupational clusters. Estimation and practical problem solving techniques explored through lecture, discussion, and lab work. Prerequisite: MATH 96 with a grade of C or better, or appropriate test score. PSYC& 100 - General Psychology (5 credits) An overview of the factors affecting behavior including topics related to: theories of learning, the senses, perception, nervous system, emotions, personality theory, motivation, abnormal behavior and therapy, and social psychology. CMST& 210 - Interpersonal Communication: D (5 credits) Uses theory and practice to develop self-awareness, confidence, and skill in communicating effectively, building healthy relationships with others, and managing conflict. Explores the impact of self-concept, perception, language, emotions, and nonverbal behavior on communication.
DENTAL FOUNDATIONS MICROCERTIFICATE INFORMATION PACKET SIGN-UP SHEET If you plan to attend the Dental Foundations Microcertificate program beginning Fall 2012, read this program information sheet for the Dental Foundations program, please fill out and sign the statement below indicating that you have read and understood the information sheet. I am of legal age. I am legally competent to sign this agreement. I am signing this agreement of my own free act. NAME: (Please Print) ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: EMAIL ADDRESS: _ DATE: SIGNATURE