Certified Dental Assistant certificate

The 10-month (September–June) Certified Dental Assistant certificate program is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and values 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 UCFV Dental Clinic, the curriculum includes two practica, which provide full-time experience in a dental office. This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, hence the graduates are eligible for registration with the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C.
    Individuals demonstrating a sincere interest in people with the ability to work well with others are most likely to be successful.

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 UCFV BIO 083), Biology 12 (or UCFV BIO 093), and Chemistry 11 (or UCFV CHEM 083).

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 volunteer and/or employee.

4. Signed medical certificate indicating physical fitness and emotional stability.
    (Form will be provided at interview.)

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 interview.)

6. Dental Oral Health certificate (Form to be signed by the dentist will be provided at interview.)

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 the interview.)

8. Must be able to pass a security clearance check. A criminal records check form will be provided at the interview.

How to apply
1. You may apply to the program prior to the completion of all entrance requirements. The following documents, however, must be submitted to the Admissions and Records office, along with the application fee, in order to process your application:
        • UCFV application form
        • Dental Assisting program application
        • Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent (except students currently in high school, who            may apply once 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.
    Applicants will be considered for the program based on:
        • Complete applicant status
        • Date of application.
    Documents required in order to achieve “complete applicant” status for Certified Dental Assistant applicants:
        • 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: Additional health forms required for acceptance into the CDA program will be provided at the interview.
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: 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. Upon receipt of all required documents, you will be required to attend an evening information session. At this time you will be provided with an overview of the program as well as additional forms (medical, dental, immunization, etc.) that you will need to complete prior to your acceptance into the program.

4. An interview with a program faculty is also required. Bring any completed documentation to the interview.

5. When all documentation is complete, and as soon as possible after your interview, you will be notified in writing as to whether or not you have been accepted.

6. 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 to the tuition fees and is not refundable.

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.

Fees and additional costs
Fees stated are in effect for 2004/05 and are subject to change for 2005/06.
The fees are approximately $4,835. This includes tuition and ancillary fees. See the Fees and Other Costs section for more information. Students should be prepared to meet the 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 UCFV Certified Dental Assistant certificate program, and prior to practising as a certified dental assistant, you will need to register with and be licensed by the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. The fees as of 2003 were:
    • registration $225
    • annual licence $210
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

Note: In addition to the above courses, students must have completed a valid Basic Rescuer — CPR (Level C) course.

Faculty
Wanda Gordon, Director, Health Services, RN, BSN, MA (UBC),
Rosie Friesen, CDA, ID (VCC), MA, Coordinator
Marie Haima, CDA, ID (VCC)
Debbie Horin, CDA, Clinic Coordinator, ID (VCC)
Dr. M. Huang, DDS
Dr. J. Innis, DDS
Deb Ward, CDA, ID (VCC)
Shauna Warner, RDH
Liz Wilkes, CDA, BSc, ID (VCC)

Support staff
Janice Corbeil, Program Assistant
Sherry Neetz, Department Assistant
Christine Sawatzky, Department Assistant

Advisory committee
Dr. Mark Huang, Chair, Chilliwack (dentist)
Marianne Bonner, CDA
Kelly Huard, CDA
Melanie Lepine-Kennedy, CDA
Dr. Edmund Liem, Sardis (dentist)
Marlene Robinson, Vancouver, CDABC
Dr. John Webb, Abbotsford dentist
Current UCFV Dental Assisting students
 

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