Registered Dental Assisting Program

College of Marin's Dental Assisting Program will prepare you for work as a Certified and Registered Dental Assistant. Completion of the courses and the clinical training qualifies students for immediate employment. Full-time students can complete the program in 10 months. Part-time students can complete the program in 19 months.


The Registered Dental Assistant is a licensed member of the dental team in today's dental office or clinic.



Career Opportunities	Program Information	Duties of the R.D.A.
Entrance Requirements	Faculty	Advisory Committee
Admission Procedure	Program Coordinator	Accreditation
Clinical Procedures	Graduate Testimonials	Table Clinics

Dental Related Internet Resources

New York University Waldmann Dental Library

Duties of the R.D.A.

Assisting the dentist in procedures at chairside, which is called four-handed dentistry.

Performing extended functions in the patient's mouth as delegated by the general dentist or dental specialist such as:

• Polishing teeth
• Application of topical fluorides
• Placement of temporary crowns or bridges
• Placement of orthodontic separators
• Placement of temporary restorations
• Producing x-rays of the teeth
• Maintaining accurate office records
• Performing laboratory procedures

Advisory Committee

An Advisory Committee composed of the Marin County Dental Society and the Marin County Dental Assistants' Society assists the program faculty in planning the curriculum and in maintaining a working relationship with the dental profession. This assures the student that their education is realistic and that it meets the current needs for employment in the community.

Accreditation

The Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association and is approved by the California Board of Dental Examiners.

Career Opportunities

Expanded populations, rising standards of living, and increased emphasis on health care preventive services point to a rising demand for highly-trained dental personnel.

Today, jobs are numerous. The R.D.A. is employed in private dental offices (general and specialty) in the community. Some R.D.A.'s may seek employment in dental schools or clinics and hospitals. Also, formal training will provide the R.D.A. with competencies for work with volunteer health agencies around the world.

Entrance Requirements

• High School Graduation, GED or its equivalent
• Physical and emotional health
• Enjoy meeting and working with people
• Keyboard skills
• Eligible for English 98 or ESL 98
  

Admission Procedure

• Take placement tests in English to be arranged through the College Testing Office.
• Arrange to meet personally with the Program Director.
• Complete the application procedure through the Office of Admissions and Records.

Program Information

Application and information can be received by mail by phoning the Program Office and leaving name and address with the Secretary or on the Voicemail system.


The program is located on the Kentfield Campus, Contact:

Grace Hom CDA, RDA, MA
Program Coordinator
College of Marin
Kentfield, CA 94904
Phone 415-485-9327
Fax 415-456-5086