Dental Assisting - Certified (Distance Delivery)

General

VCC welcomes applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.

Please note that you must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support your application; unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or fax versions.

Program Specific

Missing prerequisites? VCC offers courses in Adult Upgrading and English as an Additional Language to help you meet your goals.

Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) may be available for clinically experienced dental assistants for some theory courses, as determined by the program.

• Grade 12 graduation or equivalent.*
• English 12 with a B grade.*
• English Language Proficiency at a grade 12 level*.
• Either Biology 11 or Biology 12 (human biology recommended) or equivalent.**
• A signed agreement with a sponsoring dentist verifying a minimum of 2 days (14 hours) per week clinical dental assisting experience in a general dentistry practice for the duration of the program.

(*) Students who have completed the Vancouver Community College Dental Reception Coordinator program are exempt from these admission requirements.

(**) Students who have completed the Vancouver Community College Dental Reception Coordinator program and/or students who have completed the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia Provincial Radiography credential are exempt from this admission requirement.

Notes:
Students who complete Vancouver Community College’s DREC 1242 Dental Radiography through Dental Reception Coordinator Program or DENT 1505 Dental Radiography 1, DENT 2995 Dental Radiography 2 and DENT 3745 Dental Radiography 3 through the Certified Dental Assisting Program are exempt from DAST 1515 Dental Radiography and DAST 1516 Clinical Dental Radiography.


Students who complete Vancouver Community College’s DNTL 1107 Dental Radiography Module through the Certified Dental Assisting Program – Distance Delivery are exempt from DAST 1515 Dental Radiography and DAST 1516 Clinical Dental Radiography.
• Criminal Record Check (CRC) is required in accordance with the Criminal Records Review Act. All individuals who work with vulnerable adults and/or children must complete a Criminal Records Check through the Ministry of Justice. Applicants to this program should be aware that some practicum placement in hospitals and schools may require completion of a Criminal Records Check indicating no relevant criminal record. After submitting an admissions application, applicants will receive by email a web link and unique college access code to apply and pay for a Criminal Record Check online.

Note: The College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia is the regulatory body for Certified Dental Assistants. They require each applicant to undergo another criminal records search prior to registration and certification. Registration and certification to practice is mandatory in BC.

• Proof of a negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test. In case of positive TB skin test, a negative TB chest x-ray report is required.
• A current “C” certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended:
  • Pertussis
  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus
  • Polio
  • Measles/Mumps/Rubella
  • Chicken Pox
  • Hepatitis B
  • Influenza (required annually)



Recommended Characteristics:

• Attention to detail, works accurately and neatly, and manage time effectively
• Communicate effectively with people of all ages and from all walks of life
• Take initiative and handle responsibility
• Work and study independently
• Strong computer skills
• Self-motivated
• Excellent command of spoken and written English
• Good vision and hand-eye coordination
• Interest in and empathy with people
• Maturity with positive self-image and high standards of personal integrity
• Respectful of and attentive to the ways in which others prefer to organize and execute their work

If you are considering studying from home, find out if online learning is for you and determine your potential success in this type of program by visiting is online learning for you.




Updated immunizations strongly recommended: measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B vaccine and current influenza vaccination. Please review important health requirements for all VCC health sciences students.

Those who have back, hand and wrist problems may be affected by the physical demands of the profession. Those with sensitive skin and allergies may also be affected by some materials.