The Diploma in Applied Science major in Expanded Duty Dental Assisting program prepares graduates to become a member of the dental team. Students learn current infection control practices, basics of four-handed dentistry, x-ray techniques and skills needed to provide preventive oral services. Students enrolled in this program may have criminal background checks and drug screenings. Graduates are eligible to take the DANB exam to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval”. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (800) 232-6108 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611.  Their website is https://www.ada.org/coda.

Students in this program will be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases.  The program strictly adheres to established policies and procedures regarding infection control as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Dental Association, the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  

Graduates may seek employment in private practices, military installations, hospitals, nursing homes, dental school clinics, and public health facilities. The current demand for trained dental assistants in four-handed dentistry exceeds the supply.

Prior to entry, students must complete a required American Heart Association (AHA) Healthcare Provider CPR course and complete a dental office rotation.

Students must submit a completed student health form (within 3 months of entering the program and updated annually) to include the following:

• Physical Assessment
• MMR vaccinations/titers required
• Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccinations/titer required
• Diphtheria-Tetanus Booster required (Last booster must have been received within the past 10 years).
• Hepatitis B vaccinations/titers required
• TB testing required
• Physician’s evaluation
• COVID-19 vaccination.  Please note* York Technical College does not require the COVID-19 vaccination for students as a condition of enrollment or attendance.  Students intending to enroll in a health-care related program should be aware that York Technical College maintains clinical placement agreements with health care facilities where students are required to complete clinical rotations as part of the requirements for their academic program.  Clinical sites maintain their own policies governing vaccine and booster requirements, including the COVID-19 vaccine, and any exemption processes related to those requirements.  Students choosing to pursue a program that requires a clinical component must follow all vaccine policies and requirements of clinical sites.  Vaccine requirements and the approval of exemptions are at the sole discretion of each clinical site, and clinical sites may implement and modify vaccine requirements at any time as they deem necessary.

Clinical facilities may require drug screens and background checks before allowing students to participate in clinical rotations. Students participating in clinical rotations may be required to have a drug screen at any time during their rotations. Results of background checks and drug screens will be reviewed with designated personnel at the affiliate clinical sites. To be accepted for a clinical placement, all findings must be satisfactory to all participating clinical sites. Students not accepted for clinical rotations will not be able to successfully complete the course or program. Students are required to hold a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS and First Aid certifications before entering clinics, labs, and clinical rotations.

Admission Requirements - Admission to the Expanded Duty Dental Assisting Program requires a high school diploma or equivalent and one of the following:

Test Scores

Compass		Asset
Pre-Algebra	54	Numerical	44	Algebra	31
Reading	81	Reading	42
Writing	70	Writing	41

 

Accuplacer		Acc. Next Gen	YTC Placement Test
Arithmetic	90	QAS 237	Reading          70
Elem. Alg.	57		Level 3
Reading Comp.	71	250	English            70
Sentence Skills	75	Writing 250 and Gen Rdg 250	Math 1            70

 

Successful completion of required developmental courses.

Based on placement scores, students may be required to take additional coursework not listed on the completion plan and which do not count toward credit in the program.

A non-refundable, nontransferable deposit of $100 is also required.

Students must have a minimum EDDA Program GPA of 2.00 in classes taken at York Technical College that can be applied towards the Dental Assisting program.