HEALTH SCIENCES

Certified Dental Assistant certificate

The 10-month (September–June) Certified Dental Assistant certificate program is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for employment as a 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. This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, hence the graduates are eligible for registration with the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C.

Individuals demonstrating a sincere interest in people with the ability to work well with others are most likely to be successful.

Entrance requirements

1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, and a C+ average over the following four courses, English 12 or English 101, Biology 11, Biology 12, and Chemistry 11.

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 volunteer and/or employee.

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

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 interview.)

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

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 the interview.)

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

How to apply

1. You may apply to the program prior to the completion of all entrance requirements. The following documents, however, 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 students currently in high school, who may apply once 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.

Applicants will be considered for the program based on,

• Complete applicant status
• Date of application.

Documents required in order to achieve “complete applicant” status for Certified Dental Assistant applicants,

• Dental Assisting application form
• Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation (or equivalent)
• Academic Prerequisites
• Work reference letter
• Personal reference letter.

Note, Additional health forms required for acceptance into the CDA program will be provided at the interview.

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, 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. An interview with the program faculty is required. You will be contacted when interview dates and times have been established. This generally occurs in spring of each year.

4. At your interview, you will be given the necessary oral and medical forms, and a due date on which to return them.

5. When all documentation is complete, and as soon as possible after your interview, you will be notified in writing as to whether or not you have been accepted.

6. 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 to the tuition fees and is not refundable.

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.

Fees and additional costs

Fees stated are in effect for 2000/01 and are subject to change for 2001/02.

The fees are approximately $1,437. This includes 6% for Student Services fee, the Student Society and the Legacy Fund. The full fee must be paid when you register. See Fees and Other Costs in the Introduction & General Information section for more information.

Students should be prepared to meet the 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 register with and be licensed by  the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. Current 2000 fees are

• registration, $225
• annual licence, $203.

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 usually from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 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.

Faculty

Wanda Gordon, RN, BSN, MA (UBC), Program Head
Rosie Friesen, CDA, ID (VCC), Coordinator
Dr. U. W. Eichstadt, DDS
Marie Haima, CDA, ID (VCC)
Debbie Horin, CDA, Clinic Coordinator, ID (VCC)
Deb Ward, CDA, ID (VCC)
Shauna Warner, RDH
Liz Wilkes, CDA, BSc, ID (VCC)

Support staff

Janice Corbeil, Program Assistant
Sherry Neetz, Secretary/receptionist

Advisory committee

Dr. Mark Huang, Chair, Chilliwack (dentist)
Paddy Briggs, Port Moody (consultant)
Mary Blackwell, Van, CDS of B.C.
Marianne Bonner, CDA
Kelly Huard, CDA
Tania Klassen, CDA
Melanie Lepine-Kennedy, CDA
Dr. Edmund Liem, Sardis (dentist)
Marlene Robinson, Van, CDABC
Current UCFV Dental Assisting students

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