Cypress College
Registered Dental Assistant Program

Today's Date: Saturday November 7, 2009

The one-year Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) program includes patient care, experiences in a fully-equipped, on-site facility and externship experiences in clinics and dental offices. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, and has been granted the accreditation status of approval. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

At the completion of the program, the student will be certified by the State of California to take x-rays, and will be eligible to take the California Registered Dental Assistant's Examination and the National Certification Examination for Dental Assistants. Upon successful completion of the California RDA Examination the student will be licensed to perform all of the expanded functions in the California Dental Practice Act.

Registered Dental Assistants are highly valued by the dental profession and have a choice of work environments from private offices to hospitals and clinics. They are involved in a variety of duties including managing the front office, preparing the patient, taking radiographs, and mixing dental materials. Now with expanded function, they not only assist chairside, but perform certain procedures in the mouth.

Program Goal

1. To provide the student with the academic knowledge skill, and competence necessary to qualify for both the National Certification Exam and the California State Registered Dental Assistant Exam.
2. To prepare the student for dental assisting entry-level employment as an integral member of the dental health team.

Program Objectives

1. Provide a dental assisting program to meet challenges presented by demographic changes of the current decade.
2. Promote a dental assisting curriculum that helps build student's educational and career goals in a success-oriented learning environment.
3. Provide the students with the academic resources and clinical experiences to perform the functions, approved by the California Dental Practice Act, for a Registered Dental Assistant, with competence and judgment.
4. Prepare the student to qualify for certification in Radiology Safety and Coronal Polishing.
5. Prepare the student to attain laboratory competency in the ultrasonic removal of excess cement from coronal surfaces of teeth under orthodontic treatment.
6. Maintain a positive communication network between the advisory committee, dental community and dental assisting program alumni.
7. Create a safe learning environment in compliance with federal and California State standards and regulations.