WLAC Dental Assisting Programs
Approved programs and courses by the California Dental Board
We offer three different Dental Assisting programs.
- Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) *Day (Fall Start) or Evening (Spring Start)
- Orthodontic Assistant (OA) *Spring Start
- Continuing Education & Certifications *Year Round Starts
Would you like to see what our clinic looks like? View a videothat was created by one of our Dental Assisting alumni.
Please read below for more detailed information for each individual program.
1. Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Program
*Announcement*
We are now accepting applications for the SPRING 2024 Dental Assisting Class. The application deadline is November 1st, 2023.
For more detailed information, attend our Info Sessions
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Our Registered Dental Assisting (RDA) is a 9-month, 4-day/week program (2 full semesters and 1 intersession) and it is offered twice a year. The RDA program has in-person (full day) lab classes, twice a week. The program also meets online, twice a week for lecture courses.
The Fall Start cohort is a Day Program is Mon-Thurs (8:00-5:00pm).
The Spring Start cohort is an Evening Program is Mon-Fri (3:00-9:30pm)
The RDA program is a 29-unit program that upon successful completion leads to a Certificate of Completion in Dental Assisting. This certificate allows the graduate immediately after graduation, to apply for the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) examination with the Dental Board of California.
To view the printable flyer and listing of courses: The printable flyer can be downloaded from here. Many of our students continue and finish the West Los Angeles College General Education requirements and qualify to receive the Associate's of Science in Dental Assisting (ASDA) degree.
To apply to either the Day or Evening RDA programs, please see below.
2. Orthodontic Assistant (OA) Program
*Announcement*
We are now accepting applications for the Winter 2024 Orthodontic Assisting program. The application deadline is November 1st, 2023.
For more detailed information, attend one of our Information Sessions.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Our Orthodontic Assistant (OA) program is one semester and it is offered every Spring semester.
The OA program meets Fridays online and Saturdays on-campus.
The OA program is a 16-unit program that upon successful completion leads to an Orthodontic Dental Assistant Certificate of Completion from West LA College. The student also receives the California Dental Board Approved certificates:
1. Orthodontic Assistant certificate
2. Ultrasonic certificate (Removal of Orthodontic Cement above the Gum Line by Dental Assistants).
Upon successful completion, these certificates allows the graduate to apply for the Orthodontic Assistant (OA) examination with the Dental Board of California.
To view the listing of courses, PLEASE ATTEND ONE OF OUR INFO SESSIONS.
Requirements to apply to OA program:
- Active California Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) and have an 8-hour Infection Control certificate (within 5 years)* -OR-
- Must be a Dental Assistant for at least one year -with- Certificates from CA Dental Board Approved Providers:
- 8-hour Infection Control certificate (within 5 years)*
- 2-hour California Dental Practice Act certificate (within 2 years)*
- 32-hour Radiation Safety certificate (X-ray license)*
- Basic Life Support CPR from American Heart Association or American Red Cross*
*WLAC offers all these continuing education courses for students that are missing any of these certificates.
Admission Information for RDA or OA programs:
To apply to the RDA or OA programs, follow the steps below:
1. Become a student of West Los Angeles College
- If you are not yet a student of West Los Angeles College, APPLY to receive a Student ID Number to (click Apply in the upper right hand corner): www.wlac.edu
2. Attend a Dental Assistant Information Session
CLICK HERE for current information Session Schedule
- Information will be presented about the educational program and application packet, along with an overview of the dental profession.
- Upcoming information session dates are announced periodically.
- The Orthodontic Assisting application is an ONLINE Application and is currently under construction.
3. Submit RDA or OA Application to Health Science Division
Complete the RDA or OA Application form and submit to the Health Science Division (MSB100).
3. Continuing Education and Dental Certifications
West Los Angeles College offers many courses that are approved through the Dental Board of California (DBC).
View updated list of upcoming Continuing Education courses.
We offer the following DBC Approved courses:
- 32-hour Radiation safety (Dental X-ray License)
- 8-hour Infection Control
- 2-hour CA Dental Practice Act
- Coronal Polishing
- Pit and Fissure Sealants
- Ultrasonic for Dental Assistants
West Los Angeles College is a strong supporter and coordinates CE courses with our local supporters: West Los Angeles Dental Society, Los Angeles Dental Hygiene Society, California Dental Assistant Association.
Thank you for your interest
Degree Requirements
If you are accepted into the Dental Assisting program you will complete the following:
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN DENTAL ASSISTING:
The Associate in Science in Dental Assisting (ASDA) program provides students with a high quality education that prepares them to be highly competent, professional, and caring licensed dental assistants.
| A.S. Degree Unit Totals | Units |
|---|---|
| Required Major Courses (Certificate of Achievement in Dental Assisting) | 29 |
| Electives | 5 |
| General Education Requirements | 26 |
| TOTAL | 60 |
Major Course Requirements
(Certificate of Achievement in Dental Assisting)
| Fall | Units |
|---|---|
| Den Ast 001 - Orientation to Dental Assisting | 2 |
| Den Ast 005 - Preclinical Chairside Assisting | 5 |
| Den Ast 007 - Infection Control for the Dental Setting | 1 |
| D.A. 008 - Introduction to Dental Radiology | 3 |
| Den Ast 006 - Dental Sciences for the Dental Assistant | 2 |
| Total Fall Semester Units | 13 |
| Winter | Units |
|---|---|
| Den Ast 010 - Intermediate Chairside Assisting | 3 |
| Total Winter Semester Units | 3 |
| Spring | Units |
|---|---|
| Den Ast 003 - Dental Seminar | 1 |
| Den Ast 009 - Medical Emergencies | 2 |
| Den Ast 013 - Practice Management | 2 |
| Den Ast 012 - Dental Assisting Clinical Science | 3 |
| Den Ast 015 - Advanced Chairside Assisting | 5 |
| Total Spring Semester Units | 13 |
| TOTAL PROGRAM UNITS | 29 |
| Dental Assisting Electives - Choose 5 units from the following: | Units |
|---|---|
| Biology 003 | 4 |
| Sociology 001* | 3 |
| Psychology 001* | 3 |
| Math 227* or Math 227S* or Psych 091* | 4 |
| English 103* | 3 |
| TOTAL ELECTIVE UNITS | 5 |
| General Education Recommended Courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| A. Natural Sciences: Chemistry 051* | 5 | |
| B. Social and Behavioral Sciences: Political Science 001 (3 units) Cultural Anthropology 102* (3 units) | 6 | |
| C. Humanities: Chicano 047 (Meets Ethnic Studies Competency) | 3 | |
|
D. Language and Rationality: English 101 (3 units) AND Math 125 (5 units) (Meets Reading-Writing/Math Competencies) |
8 | |
| E. Health and Physical Education: Health 011 (3 units) AND Any P.E. Activity class (1 unit) | 4 | |
| TOTAL GENERAL EDUCATION UNITS | 26 |
* These courses are prerequisite courses for dental hygiene program.
PLEASE NOTE: To complete the Associate Degree in Dental Assistant students must complete all of the program core requirements and general education courses. Additional graduation requirements include satisfactory completion of writing, math, and ethnic studies competencies. It is recommended that students consult with the Counseling Office to develop a Comprehensive Student Educational Plan.
(310) 287-7242 https://www.wlac.edu/student-services/counseling
Health Science Office
Office Location
MSB-100
Contact
Raquel Medina
Email: Medinarm2@laccd.edu
Phone: (310) 287-4464
Phone: (310) 287-4440
EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR RDAs
Dental Assisting Apprenticeship Program
West Los Angeles College partners with dental offices to train their new and current employees to become Registered Dental Assistants.