Dental Assisting (Level II)

Promote good oral health and patient care, assisting dentists and dental specialists.

Overview

Dental assistants work as part of the oral health team, assisting dentists and dental specialists, carrying out direct patient care and instructing patients in the principles and practices of good oral health.

The program introduces you to dental science, the foundation of clinical practice and the skills and theory used by dental assistants. You learn how to:

• Prepare dental instruments and materials
• Sterilize dental equipment
• Create dental radiographs and images
• Polish teeth and apply fluoride
• Apply desensitizing agents and dental sealants
• Provide patients with oral hygiene advice
• Schedule appointments for services and manage patient records

The program covers all materials and skills necessary to write the National Dental Assisting Examination (NDAEB) and prepares you for all mandatory and optional skills as determined by the Dental Assisting Regulatory Authorities (CDARA).

Work Experience

• Work placement is a mandatory credit course, providing the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside of the classroom.
  • You participate in work placements in public and/or private settings within the province. You're not guaranteed placements of your choice. Some evening and/or weekend shifts may be required.
  • Opportunities are typically unpaid and last approximately 5 weeks.
  • Transportation, accommodations and other costs related to work placements are your responsibility.
• For more information visit work experience opportunities.

• International students - all international students require a co-op work permit; you can't complete your NSCC program without one. This program also requires a medical exam to receive your co-op work permit. View co-op work permit - medical exam details.

Choose NSCC

• This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
• You learn from experienced instructors. Faculty members are active in the oral health field at provincial and national levels.
• You benefit from small class sizes, which provide low student-to-teacher ratios, particularly at the clinical level.

Other Info

• During the program, students participate as patients in the NSCC Dental Assisting Clinic. To ensure you can safely do this, a dental exam must be completed by a dentist so that any dental concerns and/or treatments are identified ahead of this clinic time.
• Individuals with allergies to latex, disinfectants or who have carpel tunnel syndrome or back problems may have difficulty completing the clinical component of the program.
• Many employers in this sector require one – or all – of the following as part of the hiring process: current, official criminal record check, vulnerable sector check and/or child abuse register search. A conviction or finding in family court may impact your ability to secure employment.
• Students who successfully complete all components of the program are eligible to write the National Dental Assisting Examination, which is required by the Provincial Dental Board for licensure in Nova Scotia.