Dental Assistant
Certificate
The dental assisting program is a full time, one year program, begins in the fall with sequential classes in the spring and summer semesters. All pre-requisites must be completed before entry into the cohort. Students will complete required non-monetary externship clinical practicum hours in the spring and in the summer, the student is responsible for travel to clinic site and exam fees. Dental assistants perform a growing variety of duties in the dental field: general chairside assisting, laboratory procedures and infection control. Duties include but are not limited to: therapeutic communication, multicultural interaction, psychology, oral health, preventive techniques, nutrition, chair side instrumentation, infection control, equipment safety, equipment maintenance, dental office emergencies and pain/anxiety management. The New Mexico State Board of Dental Health requires Dental Assistants to be certified has implemented new standards that include certification in coronal polishing, topical fluoride and as well as pit and fissure sealants. Students may choose to take national certification through DANB. (Dental Assisting National Board) The assistant is responsible for all preparation of dental office procedures, chair side assisting, and reception activities. The demanding versatility requires a person dedicated to the profession and a commitment to function as a dental health care team member.
Completion of this certificate can be applied toward the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Vocational/Technical Studies.
Institutional Proficiency Requirements
In addition to the courses listed below for this program of study, students must also complete institutional proficiency of MATH075
Program Requirements (37 hours)
| DENT103 | Dental Materials | 5 credits |
| DENT109 | Preventative Dentistry/Oral Health Care | 1 credits |
| DENT118 | Dental Assisting | 3 credits |
| DENT119 | Dental Terminology | 1 credits |
| DENT128 | Community Field Experience | 1 credits |
| DENT145 | Bio-Dental Science | 3 credits |
| DENT160 | Dental Radiology | 4 credits |
| DENT167 | Oral Medicine | 2 credits |
| DENT170 | Clinical Training/Practicum I | 7 credits |
| DENT209 | Professional Ethics | 2 credits |
| DENT220 | Dental Office Management | 2 credits |
| DENT226 | Dental Pharmacology | 1 credits |
| DENT233 | Laboratory Procedures | 2 credits |
| DENT270 | Clinical Training/Practicum II | 3 credits |
Related Studies (15 hours)
| AH113 | Medical Terminology* | 3 credits |
| CSA150 | Computer Fundamentals* | 3 credits |
| ENG111 | Freshman Composition I* | 3 credits |
| PSYC101 | Introduction to Psychology* | 3 credits |
| AH210 | Nutrition - or - | 3 credits |
| BIO217 | Anatomy & Physiology I - or - | 4 credits |
| SPCH111 | Public Speaking* -or- | 3 credits |
| SPCH112 | Interpersonal Communication* | 3 credits |
Note: * Dental Assistant prerequisite courses of AH113, CSA150, ENG111, MATH075, PSYC101 and SPCH111 or SPCH112 must be completed prior to entrance into the program.
*Bloodborne Pathogen Risk Statement*
*All individuals interested in pursuing the Dental Assistant Certificate
should be aware that the dental field does have some risk of occupational
hazards. The nature of the occupation could involve contact with
infectious diseases, including AIDS and Hepatitis. All students admitted
to the program will receive proper instruction in standard precautions and
use of personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of blood and body
fluid exposures. *
Program Director: Rolando M. Rael, PhD
Phone: (505)454-5340Email: rrael@luna.edu
Office Manager: Estelle Garcia
Phone: (505)454-5303Email: esgarcial@luna.edu
Program Administrator/Advisor: Gloria Pacheco,
Phone: (505)454-2528Email: gpacheco@luna.edu
Student Success Center Personnel
Director: Renee Maestas
Phone: (505)454-5355Email: rmaestas@luna.edu
Advisor: Janice Medrano
Phone: (505)454-2546Email: jmedrano@luna.edu