Expanded Duty Dental Assisting - Certificate

The Expanded Duty Dental Assisting (EDDA) certificate prepares dental assistants to perform chair-side assisting; expose and process radiographs; perform basic business-office procedures; manage asepsis, infection, and hazard-control protocols; perform laboratory procedures; assist in the management of emergencies; provide oral-health instruction; and function as a member of the dental team. High-school courses in biology, chemistry, and algebra are recommended to prepare for the program’s science-based curriculum. Students will be required to travel to various dental offices in Horry and Georgetown counties as part of their office-rotation courses.

Students in the Dental Assisting program receive their education in a state-of-the-art Dental Clinic on the Grand Strand Campus under the direct supervision of licensed dentists and hygienists as well as in local dental offices during office rotations which provide invaluable workforce experience. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be deemed the title of Expanded Duty Dental Assistant. Graduates will then be granted approval to take the Dental Assisting National Board to become a Certified Dental Assistant.

Admissions Information

Specific Admission Requirements for Program

This program has a limited number of available seats.  Applications are accepted throughout the year, until all seats have been filled.   There are additional requirements for admission beyond those of HGTC’s General Admission policy.  Detailed information is shown below.

Getting Started with Expanded Duty Dental

Course Sequence and Progression Requirements

A minimum grade of "C" or better is required for all courses for progression and graduation. Grades below "C" are considered course failures. Failure of one Expanded Duty Dental Assisting course will result in the student being dropped from the curriculum with eligibility for readmission the next time the course is offered. Readmission will be on a space available basis and the student will also be required to meet all admission requirements for readmission. The Expanded Duty Dental Assisting Program does not currently accept advanced placement students. All courses with a DAT prefix are restricted to Expanded Duty Dental Assisting majors.

Student Resources

• Expanded Duty Dental Checklist for Admissions
• Student Program Manual

• Clinical Policies Manual
• Program Cost
• Expanded Duty Dental Assisting Certificate Program Specific Cost

Forms

• Clinical Requirements
• Background Check
• Observation Form

For more information, contact:
Michelle Meeker - (843) 839-1091

For more information about Health Science Admissions visit: www.hgtc.edu/healthscience.

Accreditation Status

The program in dental assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements."  The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: https://coda.ada.org/en.

For more information about HGTC's accreditations, click here.

Program Mission, Goals, and Outcomes

Mission

“The Horry-Georgetown Technical College Expanded Duty Dental Assisting program believes that the dental assistant is an extremely important member of the dental health team who makes a significant contribution to the total health care of all people.  Through the use of state-of-the-art technology in lecture and clinical instruction, it is the mission of this program to provide the student with a well-rounded general education as well as an evidenced-based professional education.  In so doing, the student will be prepared for his/her role as a successful dental assistant, as well as an enlightened and contributing citizen to the community.  

It is the aim of the dental assisting program faculty to create a supportive environment in which the student will develop self-confidence, expertise in clinical skills and the desire to learn to become a successful, dedicated healthcare provider.  Through the use of problem solving, planned experiences, goal setting, and self-assessment, the graduate is expected to become a purposeful, critically thinking, and self-directed member of the profession, able to make pivotal judgments in both personal and professional roles.”  

GOAL 1. The dental assisting student will demonstrate an extensive understanding of infection control procedures and practices, to include biomedical sciences.

1. Demonstrate a working knowledge of bloodborne pathogens and
   hazard communications standards.
2. Display a working knowledge of dental sciences including the
   development and function of the oral cavity, oral pathology,
   anatomy, and pharmacology.

GOAL 2. The dental assisting student will demonstrate competency in various aspects of radiation health and safety.

1. Demonstrate working knowledge and competence in the skills
   required to produce diagnostic image surveys
2. Display adherence to radiation health protection techniques
3. Demonstrate competence in identifying anatomical landmarks and
   pathologies

GOAL 3. The dental assisting student will exhibit and interpret important concepts of general chairside assisting.

1. Demonstrate laboratory/preclinical/clinical knowledge and
   competence in essential dental assisting skills and functions at the
   program facility and clinical setting.
2. Demonstrate laboratory/preclinical/clinical knowledge and
   competence in performing advanced/expanded dental assisting
   functions.
3. Demonstrate competence in the knowledge of dental practice
   management to include software systems, ethics, communication,
   and management of patient information.

Program Effectiveness

View program effectiveness

Career Outlook & Employment Opportunities

Well-trained dental assistants are in demand in todays growing healthcare marketplace. A flexible work schedule, whether you are employed full-time or part-time, allows you to maintain a balance between career and personal goals. Financial rewards are excellent and the work is challenging. Career opportunities are readily available in the following settings:

• Private dental practices
• Public health departments
• Hospitals

For more information about careers, visit O*Net Online for an overview of South Carolina and National earnings statistics, and Career Services for more employment, career, and professional development resources.

 

Required Courses and Sample Schedules