A Dental Assistant performs specific procedures on patients, exposes radiographs, assists chairside, prepares and delivers dental materials, and participates in laboratory procedures. Dental Assistants may perform only under the direct supervision of a dentist. The Dental Assisting student's educational experience will span three semesters, including an eight-week summer session.
Program Goals: The Program strives to prepare the student to function efficiently as an integral member of the dental team by utilizing various educational experiences. Students will be able to:
Admission's requirements:
Transfer Credits A maximum of 9 transfer credits in equivalent Harcum College Dental Assisting coursework can be accepted for the certificate program and 21 transfer credits for the DA/EFDA associate degree. Transfer credits are determined by the Harcum College Admissions Committee and Transfer Credit Evaluator. The courses that are transferable are the following with a grade of a "C" or better. In addition, all science and math courses expire after 10 years.
Certificate Transfer Credits Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology 3 credits English Composition 3 credits Introduction to Psychology 3 credits
Associate Degree Transfer Credits Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology 3 credits English Composition I & II 6 credits Introduction to Psychology 3 credits College Math 3 credits Diversity Elective 3 credits Humanities Elective 3 credits
Essential Functions The essential functions, as distinguished from academic standards, refer to those physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities required for satisfactory completion of all aspects of the dental assisting curriculum. The essential abilities required by the curriculum are in the following areas: intellectual, motor, sensory, communication, environmental and the behavioral and social aspects of the performance as a dental assistant. These are attributes that each student must possess and the use of a third party for the fulfillment of these attributes is not adequate. Intellectual: The program requires essential abilities in information acquisition. The student must have the ability to master information presented in course work in the form of lectures, demonstrations, independent study, clinical experiences, written material, material presented through computer imaging and projected images. The student must have the ability to complete reading assignments and to search and evaluate scientific literature. The ability to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationship of the structures is important. Further, the student must be able to complete computer-based assignments and use the computer for searching, recording, storing and retrieving information. The student must have the ability to recall, comprehend, integrate, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize. Problem solving skills are essential. Motor/Sensory: The student must have fine motor function and the manual dexterity to provide dental assisting skills when working with patients and assisting the dentist. Students must be able to negotiate and function in the clinical patient care environment. Functional vision, hearing, motor and tactile sensation must be adequate to perform those duties delegated by the dentist, including but not limited to: manipulation and delivery of dental materials, exposure of radiographs and evacuation and retraction of the oral cavity. The student must possess the visual ability to assess and provide services in the oral cavity and interpret radiographs. Communication: Students must be able to communicate clearly and effectively in both the academic and clinical setting. The student must demonstrate the ability to write coherently, using appropriate grammar, mechanics, punctuation, spelling and diction. Written communication in the clinical setting must be complete, legible and accurate. The student must be able to verbally communicate in a professional manner with patients, faculty and other members of the dental care team. Environmental: Students must be able to work in a clinical environment that is required to follow guidelines for infection control. This may include chemical solutions and aerosols for surface disinfection. Protective gloves, masks, eye-wear and clinical attire must be worn. Behavioral and Social: The student must be able to work in a cooperative, professional and ethical manner with individuals of differing personalities and background. Being able to participate effectively as an integral part of the team is important. Students must possess the emotional health required to complete all academic and clinical requirements and follow appropriate protocol. The student must be able to understand the basis and content of dental ethics. The student must be able to identify the components of professional behavior and perform accordingly. This includes time management skills, communication styles and interactions. Accreditation The Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements.” The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted 312-440-4653 or at 211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.
Articulation agreements enable students to continue their education after Harcum at Penn College of Technology.
Dental Assisting w/EFDA Program Director:
Dorothea Cavallucci Melville Hall, Room 323 Phone: 610-526-6029 dcavallucci@harcum.edu
Admissions Questions? Tyler Gangi Phone: 610-526-6106 tgangi@harcum.edu