Health Sciences
www.ufv.ca/health
Certified Dental Assistant certificate
Certified Dental Assistants are essential members of the dental health care
team, working toward the common goal of providing quality oral care for dental
clients. Individuals who have a passion for helping people, enjoy working with
their hands, and are team players are most likely to be successful and will find
this to be a rewarding career.
The 10-month (September–June) Certified Dental Assistant certificate program is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, values,
and attitudes necessary for employment as a certified dental assistant. This program combines lectures and clinical practice in preparation for a career in private practice, dental clinics, and other public health facilities. Students gain extensive clinical experience throughout the program. In addition to working at the UFV Dental Clinic, the curriculum includes two practica, which provide full-time experience in a dental office.
Because this program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation,
graduates are eligible to write the National Board Exam and then register with
the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C.
Entrance requirements
1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, and a C+ average over the following four courses: English 12 or ENGL 099 or ENGL 091, Biology 11 (or UFV BIO 083), Biology 12 (or UFV BIO 093), and Chemistry 11 (or UFV CHEM 083).
Applicants must satisfy English language policy. For details on how this requirement may be met, see English language policy 340.29.
2. A work reference and a personal reference from non-relatives.
3. A satisfactory interview with the program faculty, who will assess your:
• knowledge of and motivation towards a career as a dental assistant;
• financial preparation;
• communication skills;
• experience with patients in the health-care field as a volunteer and/or
employee;
• experience in working with the public.
4. Signed medical certificate indicating physical fitness and emotional stability. (Form will be provided at
information session.)
5. Completion of an immunization program is required prior to acceptance into the program. The Hepatitis B immunization will be required after entry into the program. (Form will be provided at
information session.)
6. Dental Oral Health certificate. (Form to be signed by the dentist will be provided at
information session.)
7. Two full days spent in a dental office observing office routine and dental
procedures. (Form to be signed by the dentist will be provided at information
session.)
8. Must be able to pass a security clearance check. A criminal records check form will be provided at the
information session.
Note: Personal suitability of applicants will be assessed using
a point rating system. Applicants will be accepted based on points achieved on the applicant rating.
Students who do not meet these requirements might consider the Science Studies
program path.
When to apply
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year.
Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space.
See Continuous application
process for more information.
How to apply
1. The following documents must be submitted to the Admissions and
Records office, along with the application fee, in order to process your
application:
• UFV application form
• Dental Assisting program application
• Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent (except for high
school students, who may apply once they are registered in Grade 12)
Once these documents have been received by the Admissions & Records office, an application date will be recorded and your application will be forwarded to the Certified Dental Assistant program.
2. Submit all remaining documents to the Health Sciences Centre, Chilliwack campus.
Documents required in order to achieve “complete applicant” status:
• Dental Assisting application form
• Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation (or equivalent)
• Official transcript(s) showing completion of academic
requirements as per entrance requirements
• Work reference letter
• Personal reference letter
Note 1: Additional health forms required for acceptance into the
CDA program will be provided at the information session. Applicants whose
prerequisites are completed by March 1 of each year will have first priority for
the seats available. Those with incomplete prerequisites decrease their chances
of being accepted into the program.
Note 2: If you are currently enrolled in Grade 12, Spring interim and/or final
grades for all prerequisite courses, and a letter from your school counsellor
indicating you are expected to graduate, must be submitted by April 10. An
official transcript, showing that all academic requirements have been met, will
be required by the end of the first week of August.
3. Attendance at a program information session is required for all “complete”
applicants. At this time you will be provided with an overview of the program as
well as additional forms (Medical, Dental Office Observation, Dental Exam,
Immunization record, Criminal Record Search, Interview questionnaire) that must
be completed prior to acceptance into the program. At the information session,
you will also be required to write an application essay outlining why you want
to become a CDA.
4. An interview with a program faculty member is also required. Bring any
completed documentation to the interview.
5. Applicants will be accepted based on points achieved
on the applicant rating form.
6. You will be notified in writing regarding acceptance. Upon acceptance into
the program you will be provided with registration information. A deposit is
required by a specified date in order to reserve a seat in the program. This
money will be applied toward your tuition fees. If you do not register for
courses and pay course deposits, your place will be given to the next person on
the program waiting list and you must reapply to the program.
7. If you meet the minimum requirements but are not selected to the class,
your application will be held for consideration for the next intake. If you are
not selected for a second intake, you will be required to re-apply.
Basis for admission decision
Students will be rated based on the points achieved on the applicant rating
form. Points will be given for academic performance on prerequisite courses,
work/volunteer experience, personal essay, reference(s), and personal interview.
The requirements will be rated as follows:
1. Academic prerequisites: The higher the applicant GPA on required
academic prerequisites, the more points awarded.
2. Work/volunteer experience: Points will be allocated for dental office
experience according to duration. Experience in working with the public and
volunteer experience will also be awarded points, again according to the nature
and duration of the experience.
3. Letter of reference: Applicants will be awarded points depending on
the content of their letter of reference.
4. Persistent efforts to upgrade: Applicants will be awarded a point for
persistent interest in the program as evidenced by efforts to upgrade, and
repeated applications.
5. Application essay: Applicants will be given credit for meeting the
criteria, and demonstrating writing skill.
6. Interview: Applicants will be given points related to their knowledge
of dental assisting, organizational skills, planning of financial aspects,
management of commitments, communication skills, knowledge of own learning, and
problem-solving skills. The interview is intended to help determine readiness to
enter the CDA program.
Applicants with the highest number of points will be given priority for
program seats.
Fees and additional costs
See the Fees and Other Costs section.
Students should be prepared to meet other additional costs of approximately $2,000. This includes the purchase of uniforms, lab coats, shoes, textbooks, workbooks, and lab fee supplies. Students should also be prepared for the additional cost of $50 to complete the Basic Rescuer — CPR (Level C) course.
Requirement — Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)
Upon completion of the UFV Certified Dental Assistant certificate program, and prior to practising as a
Certified Dental Assistant, you will need to write the National Dental Assisting
Board Examination and you will need to register with and be licensed by the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. The fees as of 2007
were:
• National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) — $350
• College of Dental Surgeons of B.C.
• Registration — $225
• Annual licence — $100
Note: Registration and licensing fees are subject to annual increases.
Dress
Uniforms, duty shoes, name tags, lab coats, gloves, masks, and safety glasses are required during daily clinic sessions. Neatness and good grooming are essential at all times.
Location
All courses are taught at the Health Sciences centre at the Chilliwack campus.
Workload and classroom expectations
Format includes self-directed, independent study, group work, and lecture presentation of material. Demonstrations are given before practical sessions. Classes are held Monday to Friday, and there are approximately two hours of homework every evening.
Program outline
Course |
Title |
Credits |
DENT 130 |
Dental
Professionalism |
1.5 |
DENT 131 |
Basic Dental
Assisting |
1.5 |
DENT 132 |
Patient Assessment |
2.5 |
DENT 133 |
Dental Office
Emergency |
1 |
DENT 134 |
Preventive
Dentistry |
2 |
DENT 135 |
Dental Radiography |
2.5 |
DENT 136 |
Dental Restorative |
2.5 |
DENT 137 |
Lab Procedures |
1.5 |
DENT 138 |
Dental Practicum I |
3 |
DENT 139 |
Dental Exam I |
pass/fail |
DENT 140 |
Dental Specialties |
3.5 |
DENT 141 |
Community Dental
Health |
1.5 |
DENT 142 |
Dental Reception |
1.5 |
DENT 143 |
Patient Care
Procedures |
1.5 |
DENT 144 |
Applied Dental
Sciences |
1.5 |
DENT 145 |
Dental Chart and
Annotation |
1 |
DENT 148 |
Dental Practicum
II |
3 |
DENT 149 |
Dental Exam II |
pass/fail |
DENT 152 |
Clinical Dental
Assist |
5 |
DENT 162 |
Clinical Patient
Care |
3.5 |
Program Total |
40 |
Note: In addition to the above courses, students must have completed a valid Basic Rescuer — CPR (Level C) course.
Course listings
For complete details on courses see the
course descriptions section.
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