Health Sciences
www.ufv.ca/health

Certified Dental Assistant certificate

Certified Dental Assistants are essential members of the dental health care team, working toward the common goal of providing quality oral care for dental clients. Individuals who have a passion for helping people, enjoy working with their hands, and are team players are most likely to be successful and will find this to be a rewarding career.

The 10-month (September–June) Certified Dental Assistant certificate program is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes 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. Because this program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, graduates are eligible to write the National Board Exam and then register with the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C.

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 a volunteer and/or employee;
   • experience in working with the public.

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

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 information session.)

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

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 information session.)

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

Note: Personal suitability of applicants will be assessed using a point rating system. Prior to Fall 2008, applicants will be considered for the program based on complete applicant status and date of application. Beginning Fall 2008, applicants will be accepted based on points achieved on the applicant rating.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider the Science Studies program path.

How to apply

1. The following documents 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 for high school students, who may apply once they are 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.

Documents required in order to achieve “complete applicant” status:
• 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 1: Additional health forms required for acceptance into the CDA program will be provided at the information session. 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 2: 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. Attendance at a program information session is required for all “complete” applicants. At this time you will be provided with an overview of the program as well as additional forms (Medical, Dental Office Observation, Dental Exam, Immunization record, Criminal Record Search, Interview questionnaire) that must be completed prior to acceptance into the program. At the information session, you will also be required to write an application essay outlining why you want to become a CDA.

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

5. Beginning Fall 2008, applicants will be accepted based on points achieved on the applicant rating form.

6. You will be notified in writing regarding acceptance. 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 toward your tuition fees. 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.

7. If you meet the minimum requirements but are not selected to the class, your application will be held for consideration for the next intake. If you are not selected for a second intake, you will be required to re-apply.

Basis for admission decision

Prior to Fall 2008

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Beginning Fall 2008

Students will be rated based on the points achieved on the applicant rating form. Points will be given for academic performance on prerequisite courses, work/volunteer experience, personal essay, reference(s), and personal interview.

The requirements will be rated as follows:

1. Academic prerequisites: The higher the applicant GPA on required academic prerequisites, the more points awarded.

2. Work/volunteer experience: Points will be allocated for dental office experience according to duration. Experience in working with the public and volunteer experience will also be awarded points, again according to the nature and duration of the experience.

3. Letter of reference: Applicants will be awarded points depending on the content of their letter of reference.

4. Persistent efforts to upgrade: Applicants will be awarded a point for persistent interest in the program as evidenced by efforts to upgrade, and repeated applications.

5. Application essay: Applicants will be given credit for meeting the criteria, and demonstrating writing skill.

6. Interview: Applicants will be given points related to their knowledge of dental assisting, organizational skills, planning of financial aspects, management of commitments, communication skills, knowledge of own learning, and problem-solving skills. The interview is intended to help determine readiness to enter the CDA program.

Applicants with the highest number of points will be given priority for program seats.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section.

Students should be prepared to meet 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 write the National Dental Assisting Board Examination and you will need to register with and be licensed by the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. The fees as of 2007 were:
• National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) — $350
• College of Dental Surgeons of B.C.
  • Registration — $225
  • Annual licence — $100

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.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.