Dental Assisting

One-Year Certificate

Careers

The Dental Assisting Program inspires confidence by combining relevant instruction with a learning environment that reflects the earning environment. This one-year certificate program prepares graduates for employment in the dental setting with an emphasis on current concepts of clinical chairside assisting. A dental assistant may be employed as a clinical chairside assistant, receptionist, office manager, dental sales representative, or laboratory technician. Watch the CTE Month video!

Program Information

This program has limited enrollment and an admission process. A drug screening, background history check, and a Health Occupations CPR Card are required for admission to the program.

Program admission occurs once a year in the fall term. The application process begins in January of each calendar year. Students are eligible to be considered for admission to the Dental Assisting program after completing the four required prerequisite courses.

Umpqua Community College’s program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). View or download this document for more about CODA.

Ready to get started?

Step 1

Fill out our response form. This will alert us that you are interested in the Dental Assisting program.

Step 2

If you are new to UCC (you've never taken a class), apply to UCC. Otherwise, move to the next step.

Step 3

If you are a new student, attend New Student Orientation and take any needed placement tests.

Step 4 

Reach out to Tamara Loosli at 541-440-4710 about the separate Dental Assisting Application.

Step 5 

Sign up for the required prerequisite courses. These need to be completed before the fall term.

Step 6

Drug Screening and Background Check

All dental students must successfully pass a drug screening test at the time of admission into the Dental Program and are subject to random drug screening throughout the program. Failure to submit to a random drug screen or having a positive drug screen will result in sanctions per the UCC Student Code of Conduct (721.3). The cost is not covered by the student fees.

All accepted dental assisting students are required to undergo a background history check prior to entering the program. Individuals with a criminal record may not be allowed into a healthcare facility as a student. Information pertaining to background history checks and disqualifying crimes can be found online through The Department of Human Services (DHS) website. The program is required to deny admission or continuation in the Dental Assisting program to any student whose background poses a threat to an individual, the college, or the dental profession, or the community.

Catalog Info

View / Download catalog information for Dental Assisting: Certificate

Advising Guide

View / Download advising information for Dental Assisting: Certificate

High School Students

Get a head start by becoming a dual credit student. Dual credit students attend UCC and high school at the same time! You can complete high school requirements, work on college prerequisites and earn credits towards a degree or certificate all at the same time.

Residents of WA, ID, NV, and CA

If you are from Washington, Idaho, Nevada, or California, you pay Oregon resident tuition rates. That's a big discount! You might also be interested in what life is like around UCC. Find out.

Why UCC?

At UCC, you can earn a variety of certificates and degrees that can enhance your current career or place you in the workforce sooner. Plus, UCC offers:

• Expert faculty dedicated to teaching
• Personal attention and small class sizes
• Online classes

Contact

Prospective students should contact an Enrollment Advisor to get started and then see a program advisor (below) to develop a more focused educational plan.

Tamara Loosli - Contact
Associate Professor, Dental Assisting
Phone: 541-440-4710

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