vcc.ca
DENT 1255: Dental Assisting Practicum 1
Effective date
September 2025
Department
Dental Assisting
School
Health Sciences
Description
This course provides opportunities for dental assisting practice in a general dentistry office and with community partners' dental clinics, enabling the student to integrate skills and knowledge into practice.
Vancouver Community College gratefully acknowledges the invaluable contribution of Camosun College for sharing their curriculum for the new Certified Dental Assisting program.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
DENT 1205, DENT 1215, DENT 1225, DENT 1235, DENT 1245.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate Certified Dental Assistant skills that address client needs and support the dental team with mentor guidance.
- Apply theoretical knowledge of dental sciences to dental assisting practice.
- Determine clients' oral health needs and promotion strategies.
- Apply effective communication skills with clients, team members, and external partners.
- Demonstrate critical thinking processes for problem-solving and decision-making in dental assisting practice with mentor guidance.
- Employ effective time management and organizational skills to facilitate safe, efficient functioning of the dental office with mentor guidance.
- Practice CDA professional conduct within the dental setting with mentor guidance.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 94
Total Hours: 94
Total Hours: 94
Instructional Strategies
This course takes place in a Dental Office setting and with community partners. Experiential learning and consolidation of theory and clinical skills are facilitated in this practicum.
Grading System
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Passing grade
S
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Practicum |
S |
Satisfactory/unsatisfactory completion of practicum as per rubric. |
Course topics
- Hands-on dental assisting practice
- Patient interaction and cultural competency application
- Ethical and legal considerations
- Reflection and self-evaluation
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.