The Dental Assisting Program introduces students to the high demand field of professional dental assisting. Dental assistants are a significant and valuable member of the dental health care team. Students are trained to perform a wide variety of duties including working chairside as patients are examined and treated, sterilizing instruments, and applying anti-cavity agents to teeth. Dental assisting students are also taught to perform laboratory duties such as taking impressions and making temporary crowns. Additionally, the Dental Assisting Program offers curriculum on executing office duties like scheduling and confirming patients, filing patient treatment records, and ordering dental supplies. The Dental Assisting Program at Oxnard College includes patient care practice in a fully equipped, on-site facility, as well as off campus externship experiences.

To complete the Associate Degree, students must meet requirements in the major, general education, competency, units, scholarship, and residency. Refer to Education Pathways - Earn an Associate Degree and the A.A. or A.S. Degree in Specific Majors sections of this catalog.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Effectively practice anti-cariogenic techniques and employ the appropriate anti-cariogenic dental materials (e.g., administer oral hygiene instructions, apply fluoride varnish) under the proper supervision of a dentist.
• Examine the ethical and legal decisions inherent to the dental field and distinguish between unethical and illegal actions.
• Manage their fundamental roles in a dental practice.
• Employ the skills of chairside dental assisting in general practice and be able to compare and contrast those general practice skills to the duties of a dental assistant in specialty practice.
• Operate dental radiographic equipment properly and safely.