Certified Dental Assistant
Certificate in Certified Dental Assistant
Come out, meet your instructors and learn more at an Information Session!
In the eight and a half month Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) program you'll
participate in hands-on clinical activities. You'll learn specific skills that
are highly relevant to your CDA role in a general dental practice.
As a CDA student you'll be working in Camosun's 24 chair, fully equipped clinic. You'll learn how to prepare for and provide chair-side support to assist dentists and clients in all diagnostic/assessment, restorative, and specialty procedures. Your clinical training will focus on the ever-present and critical need to exercise control of infection and transmission of disease. You'll learn basic support techniques for pain and anxiety management. You'll master the placement of dental dam, treatment liners, matrices, and wedges.
You'll be given many opportunities to transfer your theory and professional communication skills into both the clinical setting at Camosun and dental offices. This helps to better understand the broad scope of your practice and to help you grow in confidence and competence.
You'll be provided with helpful resources to support your self-directed study. You'll be expected to treat your learning environment as though it were your place of employment—and come to class and clinic prepared and ready to learn!
You'll develop skills that include:
- dental radiography,
- placement of sealants,
- polishing teeth,
- applying fluoride,
- taking impressions,
- performing dental laboratory procedures,
- educating clients about their oral health care, and
- promoting appropriate nutrition choices to help prevent dental diseases.
You'll study:
- interpersonal communication,
- group process,
- teaching and learning strategies,
- professional ethics,
- practice management,
- community outreach,
- dental health needs across the life-span,
- legal aspects of CDA practice, and
- career development.
This is all foundational to your role as a successful certified dental assistant, serving clients of all ages in a variety of settings.
Upon completion of the CDA program, and a national examination you will be eligible to apply for licensure to practice as a Certified Dental Assistant in British Columbia.
The program starts in September.
DISCOVER YOUR OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE CANADIAN FORCES
The Certified Dental Assistant Program has been recognized by the Canadian Forces (CF) and now qualifies for a CF Paid Education program. Students who graduate from the Certified Dental Assistant Program receive advanced standing as a Dental Technician in the Canadian Forces (subject to successful enrolment in the CF). This results in a higher rate of pay relative to CF members who have not graduated from a CF-recognized program.
For more information on the Canadian Forces, visit FORCES.CA.
