Health Sciences - Dental Assisting Concentration A.A.S.

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For more information on this program, contact the Health Sciences division at 615-230-3330.

The College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree as a career ladder for persons who have successfully completed their program of study in Dental Assisting. A total of 36 hours from the certificate may be applied to the required degree hours. This degree is designed to assist Health Sciences workers with their general and continuing education. For more information refer to the Health Sciences Associate of Applied Science Degrees section in the catalog. Specific core credits may be earned by current enrollment in appropriate health sciences courses. In addition to the 15 credit hours of General Education core courses currently required for an A.A.S degree, students will complete 3 required courses and 2 elective courses from those listed in the institution’s catalog.

All students graduating with a degree from VSCC are required to take the Educational Testing Service Proficiency Profile (ETSP) to meet graduation requirements. More information can be found at https://www.volstate.edu/testing.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will have developed the skills, knowledge and abilities to accomplish the following:

Student will demonstrate the basic skills to be a competent dental assistant.
Students will define the terminology unique to dental assisting.
Students will illustrate comprehension of professional ethical standards for dental assisting.
Students will apply and demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills within the parameters of dental assisting.

General Education Requirements - Credits (15 - 17)

Humanities and/or Fine Arts Credits: (3)
Natural Sciences /Math (BIOL 2010 Preferred - See Advisor) Credits: (3-4)
ENGL 1010 - ^English Composition I Credits: (3)
One additional General Education course from any of the following categories: Communication, Humanities/Fine Arts, Math, Natural Science or Social/Behavioral Sciences Credits: (3-4)
PSYC 1030 - ^Introduction to Psychology Credits: (3)
OR PSYC 2130 - ^Lifespan Development Psychology Credits: (3)

Professional Core Course Requirements - Credits (15)

ALHS 2312 - *Contemporary Issues in Healthcare Credits: (3)
BUSN 1380 - *Supervisory Management Credits: (3)
BUSN 2370 - *Legal Environment of Business Credits: (3)
Electives: Choose from the list below or from a MATH, AHC, ALHS, Natural Science course or the student may apply Dental Assisting Technical Certificate credits earned in excess of 30 credit hours as electives Credits: (6)
AHC 115 - *Medical Terminology Credits: (3)
BIOL 2020 - ^Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: (4)
MATH 1130 - ^College Algebra Credits: (3)
PHYS 1030 - ^Survey of Physics Credits: (4)

Major Core Course Requirements - Credits (30)

DAST 1550 - *Dental Science II Credits: (3)
DAST 1560 - *Clinical Chairside II Credits: (4)
DAST 1570 - *Clinical Practicum I Credits: (1)
DAST 1580 - *Dental Office Management Credits: (3)
DAST 1590 - *Clinical Practicum II Credits: (3)
DAST 1600 - *Fundamentals of Dental Assisting Credits: (1)
DAST 1610 - *Advanced Radiology Credits: (3)
DAST 1620 - *Preventive Dental Assisting Credits: (3)
DAST 1630 - *The Compromised Patient Credits: (2)
DAST 1640 - *Capstone Course Credits: (3)
DAST 1650 - *Special Topics in Dental Assisting Credits: (3)
DAST 1660 - *Clinical Practice Credits: (1)

Total Degree Requirements - Credits (60-62)

Career and Salary Information

The following is a list of some of the career choices that may be obtained upon completion of this certificate. Please visit the following website www.bls.gov or speak to an advisor for additional career opportunities, salary information and education requirements. Salaries are not guaranteed.

Career	Beginning Median Salary with Technical Certificate	Experienced Salary - Depends on education and/or years of experience
Dental Assistant	$22,520	$36,380

Recommended Schedule

Students should follow the recommended schedules for the technical certificate and work with their advisor to schedule the remaining required courses.

DegreeWorks, along with the correct catalog, should be utilized by students for all of their educational planning. Students can monitor their progress toward a degree or certificate and view missing requirements with the DegreeWorks audit, which is accessible through My Volstate.