Leslie Fehl, Assistant Chair,
386-506-3758,
Leslie.Fehl@daytonastate.edu
Melissa Brown-Mack, Advisor,
386-506-3052,
Melissa.Brown-Mack@daytonastate.edu
Admission Note
Limited Access Program: Admission to this program is selective and requires completion of additional admission and enrollment requirements.
Program Overview
Mission:
The Dental Assisting Program develops professional, ethical, and competent members of the oral health team.
Description:
This program prepares students to provide comprehensive clinical support in a modern dental practice. Students learn to prepare patients for treatment, provide post-procedure care, assist with preventive, restorative, comprehensive, and specialty procedures, obtain and evaluate dental radiographs, and operate traditional and digital technologies, including intraoral scanning, computer-aided design (CAD), and the fabrication of removable and fixed prosthetics. Students are trained to collaborate effectively with the dental team to ensure safe, efficient, patient-centered care.
The curriculum includes digital practice management systems, electronic health records, infection control procedures, and foundational dental sciences that support high-quality patient care and the performance of delegated expanded functions in accordance with the requirements of the Florida Board of Dentistry. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates earn the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (E.F.D.A.) credential required for dental assistants practicing expanded functions in Florida and are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examination to pursue certification as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
Outcomes:
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Apply the principles of four-handed dentistry.
- Perform clinical supportive treatments.
- Demonstrate practice management procedures.
- Apply radiation safety measures and obtain diagnostic images.
- Manage asepsis utilizing infection control protocols.
Program Requirements
Admission:
This is a Limited Access Program.
- Standard high school diploma or GED.
- Minimum age of 18.
- CASAS Reading and Math minimum scores or exemption.
- Advisor meeting for placement and registration.
- FDLE/FBI background check and drug screening.
- Physical examination, immunizations, BLS certification, eight observation hours, and GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Completion:
- Earn a grade of "C" or better in all program courses.
- Adhere to program handbook policies.
Financial Aid
This program is eligible for federal financial aid and the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, subject to applicable eligibility requirements.
Financing Options: Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. For information on grants, loans, and work-study opportunities, visit the Office of Financial Aid at daytonastate.edu/financial-aid/. Students are also encouraged to apply for Daytona State College Foundation scholarships and, when available, the Open Door Grant. Additional information is available at daytonastate.edu/scholarships/.
Note: Students who do not possess a standard high school diploma or GED are not eligible for federal student financial aid.
Career and Labor Market Information
Graduates are prepared for employment and advancement in related career fields.
| Related Career Opportunities | Dental Assistant; Chairside Dental Assistant; Orthodontic Assistant; Oral Surgery Assistant |
| Primary Occupation (SOC) | 31-9091 Dental Assistants |
| Regional Demand | 192 annual openings • Approximately 3,747 regional jobs |
| Regional Wage | Median: $44,090 annually ($21.53/hour)
10th Percentile: $30,200 | 90th Percentile: $53,030 |
| Career Resources | O*NET Online |
Regional labor market information is based on the CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia Regional Demand Occupations List (Region 27), FloridaCommerce employment projections, and regional wage data sources identified for the occupation.
Note: It is never too early to prepare for your career. Log in to the Daytona State Career Services Student Job Board to create your account, submit your resume for review, search for employment opportunities, and practice your interviewing skills through Big Interview. For assistance, contact Career Services to connect with a Career Advisor.
Program Specific Courses
| ENC1101 | Introduction to Composition | 3.00 |
| OR | |
| OST1330 | Business English | 3.00 |
| | |
| PSY1012 | General Psychology | 3.00 |
| SLS1122 | Managing Your Success | 3.00 |
| SPC2608 | Oral Communications/Research/Presentation Skills | 3.00 |
| DEA0000 | Introduction to Dental Assisting | 30.00 |
| DEA0020C | Chairside Assisting I and Lab | 105.00 |
| DEA0130 | Biomedical Science | 60.00 |
| DEA0801C | Chairside Assisting II and Lab | 105.00 |
| DEA0850L | Externship I | 240.00 |
| DEA0851L | Externship II | 240.00 |
| DES0002 | Dental Anatomy and Physiology | 30.00 |
| DES0103C | Dental Materials and Laboratory Procedures | 90.00 |
| DES0205C | Dental Radiology and Lab | 90.00 |
| DES0501 | Practice Management | 30.00 |
| DES0844 | Preventive Dentistry and Nutrition | 30.00 |
ENC1101: Prior to enrollment in college-level English, some students may be advised to complete college preparatory/developmental course work. See an Academic Advisor to determine developmental course requirements.>
SPC2608: OST1330 may be used to satisfy the prerequisite requirement for SPC2608 in this program.
Sample Program of Study
Summer Semester (Term B - Six Weeks)
| DES0002 | Dental Anatomy and Physiology | 30.00 |
| DEA0000 | Introduction to Dental Assisting | 30.00 |
| SLS1122 | Managing Your Success | 3.00 |
Fall Semester
| ENC1101 | Introduction to Composition | 3.00 |
| OR | |
| OST1330 | Business English | 3.00 |
| | |
| PSY1012 | General Psychology | 3.00 |
| DEA0020C | Chairside Assisting I and Lab | 105.00 |
| DES0103C | Dental Materials and Laboratory Procedures | 90.00 |
| DES0205C | Dental Radiology and Lab | 90.00 |
ENC1101: Prior to enrollment in college-level English, some students may be advised to complete college preparatory/developmental course work. See an Academic Advisor to determine developmental course requirements.
Spring Semester
| SPC2608 | Oral Communications/Research/Presentation Skills | 3.00 |
| DEA0130 | Biomedical Science | 60.00 |
| DEA0801C | Chairside Assisting II and Lab | 105.00 |
| DEA0850L | Externship I | 240.00 |
| DES0501 | Practice Management | 30.00 |
| DES0844 | Preventive Dentistry and Nutrition | 30.00 |
Summer Semester (Term A - Six Weeks)