Dental Assisting Basic Training, SC

This is a draft edition of the 2025-2026 catalog. Information is subject to change.

Note: This degree/certificate leads to professional licensure in Nevada. Licensing requirements vary by state/territory and relocating could impact whether you will meet eligibility requirements for licensure. If you do not live in Nevada and/or do not intend to seek employment in Nevada, then your application for admittance will be under review to determine eligibility for licensure in your state prior to acceptance into the program. Please visit our Professional Licensure Programs page for full details on the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. 
 

Program Description 

The Skills Certificate, Dental Assisting Basic Training will provide formal training to students in infection control, radiation health, safety, and dental chairside procedures. Students who successfully complete the Skills Certificate will be eligible to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board Radiation Health and Safety Certification exam and the Infection Control Certification exam. 

This program is not eligible for financial aid. However, it may be eligible for scholarship funding if the student is awarded scholarships.

Completion of the program will earn students three points toward admission to the dental assisting program. Currently, students can earn 2 pts. for completing ENG 100, ENG 101, ENG 113, and one point for completing COM 113, ENG 102, or ENG 114. 

Dental Assisting Career Map

Recommended Course Schedule

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
1st semesterUnits
DA 101 Infection Control in the Dental Office/Sterilization Technician 4
DA 102 Entry Level Radiation Health and Safety 3
DA 103 Introduction to the Basics of Clinical Dental Assisting 4
 Semester Total11
 Total Units11

Special Admission Requirements

Students must be at least 18 years of age, be a high school graduate, or recognized equivalent. Space is limited and students must complete and submit an application to the program. Students must be current with required vaccinations. Students are selected based on their chronological position on the applicant list.

Program Requirements

Skills Certificates can consist of a single course or a short set of courses that provide training for entry-level positions or career advancement. These short-term certificates may also prepare students to take state, national and/or industry-recognized certifications or licensing exams.

Skills certificates are awarded upon completion of coursework and marked on a student's transcripts at the end of the semester. Students cannot declare a skills certificate as one's major. Skills Certificates are not eligible for Financial Aid. 

To earn a skills certificate, students must:

  1. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  2. Have no financial or library obligation to the college.
DA 101Infection Control in the Dental Office/Sterilization Technician4
DA 102Entry Level Radiation Health and Safety3
DA 103Introduction to the Basics of Clinical Dental Assisting4
Total Units11

Program Outcomes

Students completing the certificate will:

PSLO1: Apply infection control techniques to perform disinfection and sterilization procedures in the dental setting.

PSLO2: Apply dental x-ray techniques to correctly expose dental x-rays.

PSLO3: Using critical thinking, determine the correct instrument and materials for selected dental chairside procedures.