Career Pathway Certificate

About the Program

This five-term Career Pathway Certificate program prepares students to apply to RCC’s Dental Assistant Certificate program. All courses in this Career Pathway Certificate are applicable to the Dental Assistant Certificate program. Program students attend classes as part of a structured cohort. Students will complete the courses, and then apply to the Dental Assistant Certificate program to complete the practicum courses once they are accepted. The curriculum is based in general dentistry. Students are trained in four-handed chair-side assisting techniques and specialty practices.

Program Learning Outcomes

The curriculum in RCC courses is derived from a set of identified learning outcomes that are relevant to the discipline. Program learning outcomes for the Pre-Dental Assistant Certificate of Completion are:

Demonstrate patient education.

Demonstrate occupational safety skills.

Demonstrate general chair-side and laboratory sciences skills.

Develop competency dealing with legal and ethical issues.

Evaluate radiographic proficiencies.

Apply communication principles and skills.

Entry Requirements

Students are required to complete the Placement Process to determine skill level and readiness in math and writing. As part of their training program, students must begin with the courses within their skill level as determined through the Placement Process. Students attend classes as part of a structured cohort that begins each winter term and the program is designed to be five part-time terms. Students who plan on entering the Dental Assistant program should meet with their faculty advisor to develop an academic plan. Cohort students must meet certain minimum academic requirements before the program application due date. Students wishing to enter the program cohort must declare their interest by attending a mandatory Dental Program Information Session and apply online through RCC’s Dental Programs page.

Selection Process

Students will complete specific health and immunization requirements, and a criminal background check during the program, in addition to drug screening. This screening process has an associated fee. Applications received after the application deadline may be reviewed based on cohort capacity and at the discretion of the department. The Dental Programs department strives to accept all students into programs if academic and screening requirements are met, however in the event that cohort capacity is exceeded students may be asked to participate in an interview process. Students entering a cohort are required to attend a mandatory program orientation.

Advanced Standing 

Coursework from programs will be accepted in accordance with college policies and the Program Director’s recommendation. In order to ensure coursework is current, program courses over seven years old must be reviewed and approved by the Program Director before being accepted toward core requirements. 

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete courses with at least a “C-” or better grade and they must have at least a 2.0 program GPA. Certain courses are graded on a pass/no pass basis. A grade of “P” for these courses indicates a student earned the equivalent of a “C-” or better grade. Students must complete all Dental program courses on this program map with a grade of “C” or better to complete the program, and be eligble to apply for the Dental Assistant Certificate cohort, and to meet the educational requirements of Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). This guide lays out an optimal path to graduate. Where zero credits are listed in the prerequisites, students may place into a higher level(s) based on designated placement. Note: some prerequisites may be required for graduation. Please consult an advisor with any program completion questions.

For more information on how to get started, sign up to attend an Information Session.