College Certificate in Dental Assisting (Levels I and II) Fanshawe College

A career as a level II dental assistant requires dynamic technical and interpersonal skills to provide patient care and chair-side support assisting dentists before, during, and after a wide variety of procedures including fillings, crowns, and extractions. If you’re looking for a career providing dependable, patient-centered care, our dental assisting program is for you!

Your Learning Experience

In less than 10 months after starting your dental assisting program, you’ll be ready to become a professional dental assistant. Your career is almost guaranteed, with 95 percent of our graduates finding work in the field.

You’ll get there by learning the necessary hands-on skills – including sterilization and disinfecting instruments, preparing materials, and assisting with dental procedures – in our newly renovated simulation lab, modeled after a typical dental office.

Throughout your studies, you’ll work alongside professors in a supportive, mentoring environment designed to help you succeed. You’ll also gain amazing experience rotating through specialty practices in the London area and complete two work placements at dental offices to ensure that you are prepared and feel comfortable starting your career.

When you graduate, you'll be prepared to successfully complete the National Dental Assisting Examination Board (NDAEB) Exam in order to practice as a Level II Dental Assistant. You'll also be eligible for accreditation with the Ontario Dental Assistants Association and the Canadian Dental Assistants Association.

The Dental Assisting (Levels I and II) program will prepare you to be an entry-level practitioner, capable of working interdependently and collaboratively with community health professionals in a variety of practice settings.

Graduates will be able to assume a variety of roles including clinical, education, health promotion, business administration, and laboratory assistant, consistent with national and provincial standards.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. maintain client* and personal safety in the practice environment.

1. contribute to the development of a comprehensive client* profile* by using a variety of data collection methods in collaboration with the client and other health professionals and in compliance with privacy legislation.

1. contribute to the development of a comprehensive plan* for oral health services and programs* in collaboration with the client* and other health professionals

1. provide oral health services and programs*, as identified in the comprehensive plan* and as permitted within the scope of practice

1. contribute to the evaluation and reporting of appropriate aspects of the oral health services and programs* by using a variety of sources including the client profile

1. act in a professional and competent manner.

1. maintain client* records and manage office procedures in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.

Courses

Level 1

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

• WRIT-1048 ---- Reason and Writing 1 for Health Sciences

• DENT-1063 ---- Emergency Management

• DENT-1053 ---- Infection Prevention and Control

• DENT-1054 ---- Dental Materials for Clinical Practice

• DENT-1055 ---- Patient Care Procedures 1

• DENT-1056 ---- Oral Health Records

• DENT-1061 ---- Dental Radiography 1

• DENT-1058 ---- Head and Neck Anatomy

• DENT-1059 ---- Oral Disease Prevention and Treatment 1

Level 2

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

• DENT-3048 ---- Dental Practice Administration

• DENT-3057 ---- Dental Laboratory Procedures

• DENT-3056 ---- Dental Radiography 2

• DENT-3050 ---- Clinical Practice 1

• DENT-3053 ---- Oral Disease Prevention and Treatment 2

• DENT-3051 ---- Patient Care Procedures 2

• DENT-3052 ---- Nutrition-An Oral Health Approach

• DENT-3054 ---- Ethics and Professionalism

Level 3

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

• DENT-5032 ---- Clinical Consolidation 1

• DENT-5033 ---- Clinical Practice 2

• DENT-5030 ---- Clinical Reflection and Debrief

Program Residency

Students Must Complete a Minimum of 13 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program

Upon certification, graduates of Fanshawe’s Dental Assisting program are qualified to assume a position as a Level II dental assistant to perform a variety of intraoral patient care, office, and laboratory duties as well as working chair-side with dentists to examine and treat patients. There are many career opportunities in a variety of areas, including

• Dental Industry
• Public health units
• General dental practice
• Specialty dental practices
• Insurance companies
• Armed forces
• Dental sales
• Dental supply companies
• Correctional institutions
• Chronic care institutions
• Teaching institutions

Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Dental Assisting (Levels I and II) program:

Dental Assistant​​​​​​

Work in a progressive dental office with an upbeat, friendly team who enjoys providing excellent dental care to patients of all ages.

Level II Dental Assistant

Assist a dentist by taking digital x-rays, setting up and tearing down operation rooms, and taking and pouring dental impressions while being responsible for managing the sterilization bay.