Program Overview
Graduates of Sprott Shaw’s Chairside Dental Assisting and Radiography program will have specialized knowledge, critical thinking and decision-making skills, and will have developed and mastered all the technical, professional, and interpersonal skills needed to perform within their clinical and administrative scope of practice.
Upon completion of the program, graduates may seek employment with a general dental office or dental specialist office, practising as a chairside dental assistant, and upon registration with the provincial regulatory authority, also practise as a dental radiographer.
Other career opportunities may include employment as a dental sales representative for a dental supply or manufacturing company, employment in the dental department of a hospital or with the community health agencies, and employment in educational institutions.
This program does not qualify graduates to write the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) which leads to certification with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) nor other provincial dental regulatory bodies.
Career Opportunities
- Chairside Dental Assistant
- Dental Radiographer
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Support a dental practice by providing a variety of supportive and direct patient care dental procedures
- Understand and work within the bylaws associated with provincial regulations
- Prepare and support patients for treatment by practising universal precautions and infection control, organizing
armamentarium, attending to patients’ comfort and collecting and updating health histories - Assist with preventative, restorative, and prosthodontic intra- oral procedures
- Provide oral self-care, disease prevention, post-operative care, nutritional counselling and health education to patients and
constituent groups - Work collaboratively as part of a team to provide quality oral care for dental patients
- Perform routine maintenance of instruments and equipment so that patient care is delivered safely and effectively
- Perform fundamental practice management procedures including inventory control of dental supplies, patient bookings, and
payment collection
Why Study at Sprott Shaw?
- The Lower Mainland’s Best Dental Clinic for students was opened in 2020, designed from the ground up to provide the best place to learn the skills required to become a Dental Assistant using the same modern equipment and procedures you’ll find in dental labs across the province.
- Our Dental Assistant program is short but intensive and we are proud of our low attrition and high graduation rates
- Industry connections you won’t get anywhere else thanks to our Instructors being actively practicing in the field today. The dental industry is a tight-knit community that we’re proud to be a part of!
- Lifetime access to dedicated Employment Services Specialists (ESS) who can help you with resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, and the overall job search after graduation
- Lifetime tuition-free access to course refreshers if you ever need to retrain and update your skills
- Practicum opportunities with recognized organizations across BC
- Certificates including Standard First Aid Level C
- Multiple start dates so you can start your education when you want to without the wait
- Career and professional development success courses to help create a career development marketing plan, learn the cardinal rules of professionalism, and identify the target markets and employment resources in the counselling field
- Preparation and orientation courses to teach you how to find credible research, write papers, create proper citation formats including APA, and study effectively for exams
- All-inclusive program costs where what you see is what you pay. Our costs include registration fees, assessment fees, tuition, textbooks, supplies, course materials, uniforms, certificates, graduation fees, practicum fees, and much more
- Grant and scholarship opportunities are available to help you save on tuition. Up to $4000 in scholarships and grants are open to recent high school graduates, Sprott Shaw alumni, military veterans, and more! Click here to browse our full list of grants and scholarships.
Where Are Sprott Shaw Graduates Working?
Our Health Care, Nursing and Dental graduates can be found working throughout the province. In addition to health authorities across BC, our Practical Nursing and Health Care Assistant graduates are working at recognized hospitals like Vancouver General Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Chilliwack General Hospital, Kelowna General Hospital, Victoria General Hospital, and more.
Our Dental Assistant graduates can be found working at a variety of dental clinics throughout the province such as Family Care Dental Clinic, Heavenly Dental, NOVO Dental Centre, and more. Our Pharmacy Assistants can be found working in Walmart Pharmacies, Rexall Pharmacies, and numerous other independent pharmacies throughout BC.
Click below to learn more about where our graduates are currently working. Please note that these lists do not cover every single business that has hired a Sprott Shaw graduate, but they do provide a good representation of the sort of industries that Sprott Shaw graduates are working in
Program Details
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the pre-requisites listed below, meet their financial obligations to the college at registration, and acknowledge their understanding of SSC’s policies and procedures provided in the Student Handbook, prior to starting classes.
NOTE: Students are provided with a detailed list of books, e-resources, workshop/lab supplies, and lab/tool kits that are included in the program’s fees and will have the opportunity to opt in or out of purchasing from Sprott Shaw College or any other specific source any of these items at the time of registration.
ADMISSION INTERVIEW(S)
* Complete interview with Coordinator/Director
EDUCATION LEVEL (one of the following)
* Grade 12 or equivalent (GED, Adult Basic Education) with evidence of a ‘true certified copy’ or original transcript
* Mature student status (age 19 and one year out of high school)
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY POLICY
All programs at Sprott Shaw College (SSC) are conducted in English, making proficiency in the English language a requirement for enrollment.
The required proficiency can be demonstrated through 1) completion of secondary or post-secondary education where English is the language of instruction and is also one of the country’s official languages, or 2) An approved English Language Assessment, 3) For mature (≥ 19 years) students who are facing barriers and cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education.
SSC programs that have a higher English language level, require additional years of secondary or post-secondary education where English is the language of instruction, or where language proficiency is to be otherwise demonstrated, are identified within the relevant program outlines. For all other SSC programs, English language proficiency is demonstrated by:
1. EDUCATION
a) Secondary Education. Evidence of Successful Fulltime Secondary Education Completion*, where English is one of the principal languages of instruction:
i) Showing two (2) years, if all Grades successfully completed are 10, 11, or 12, or
ii) Showing three (3) years if the successful Grades are 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12, or
iii) Showing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS.
OR
b) Post- Secondary Education. Evidence of 2 years of full-time Post-Secondary Education Completion*, where English is one of the principal languages of instruction. Language development courses (i.e. ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.
* This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program or providing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS.
Countries where English is the language of instruction:
American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, United States Virgin Islands, Zambia, & Zimbabwe.
OR
2. ASSESSMENT
By achieving a recognized standardized language test/assessment. Approved English language assessment options.
• IELTS. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: Minimum overall score of 5.5.
• TOEFL. Test of English as a Foreign Language IBT: Minimum overall score of 46
• CAEL. Canadian Academic English Language Assessment. Minimum overall score of 40
• CELPIP (General) Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program: Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5.
• DET. Duolingo English Test: Minimum overall score of 95
• PTE. Pearson Test of English Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
• Cambridge English Qualifications: Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
• Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level
• LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level
• MET. The Michigan English Test: Minimum overall B2 level
• iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
• EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1
OR
3. ACCUPLACER
For mature (≥ 19 years) students who are facing barriers and cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education. Applicant must be 19 years or older at the start of the program and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and provides attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time of secondary or post-secondary instruction in English in a country where the English is one of the principal languages (please refer to Countries where English is the language of instruction). Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation)and achieves the following minimum scores required:
• Reading: 230
• Writing: 230
• WritePlacer: 4
OTHER REQUIREMENTS (less than 3 months prior to starting classes)
* The Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) screens people who work with children or vulnerable adults, (proof of application for a CRC)
* Provide evidence of a negative TB result prior to acceptance (must be done no more than three months before program start date)
Practice Education Requirements
* The Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) screens people who work with children or vulnerable adults, students must provide the college with a cleared CRC prior to the Practice Education start date.
Certificate Requirements
70% average upon successful completion of all courses, including courses given a complete
Contact Us Today!
Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.
Courses List
This 25 week Certificate program requires the student to complete the following courses.- This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to consider the chairside dental assistant profession, scope of practice (legal and regulatory framework), ethical responsibilities, and accountabilities.
- Also discussed is the role of the chairside dental assistant as part of the dental team.
- The course will introduce students to the regulated standards for the recognition, control, handling, storage, and disposal of controlled hazardous materials.
- The students will learn occupational health and safety practice standards in the workplace.
- This introductory course provides learners with a variety of student-centered learning strategies and techniques.
- Students will learn goal setting, time management, problem solving, writing skills, computer skills,
- study skills, and the effective use of information technologies.
- This course prepares students to recognize and prevent medical emergencies in a dental office.
- Students are required to participate in first aid and CPR training (Standard First Aid - Level C) and will learn the role of a chairside dental assist in assisting the dentist in administering care to a patient during a medical emergency.
- This course provides a brief survey of the human skeletal structure; the structure, function and anatomy of the respiratory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, and sensory systems and the medical terminology associated with each.
- Building on this knowledge, students will demonstrate an understanding of the development of the facial complex, neck. and oral cavity; the structure, function, anatomical features, physiology, and dental morphology.
- Infection-control procedures are designed to prevent the spread of disease. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of microbiology as applied to dental clinic settings.
- Emphasis is placed on the importance of understanding the principles of infection control, transmission routes, prevention of disease transmission, disinfection/sterilization procedures, aseptic techniques, and PPE.
- The role and responsibility of the chairside dental assistant for infection control in the dental care setting will be reinforced.
- The patient file is a legal, accurate and compliant record of clinical, diagnostic, treatment, and outcome histories.
- The students will learn how to obtain, review, and/or update medical and dental patient histories as this information will assist with evaluation, treatment planning, and subsequent patient care.
- Effective and efficient administrative office procedures are essential to the success of any dental practice. The students will be introduced to the fundamental principles and workflow of an organized professionally managed dental office.
- Focus will be on dental reception skills which include the utilization of dental management software, organization and management of patient records, appointment scheduling, dental insurance claims, financial procedures, and inventory control.
- Dental radiography is fundamental to dental diagnosis and treatment. The course provides students with a comprehensive foundation to the application of radiography in clinical dentistry.
- The students will learn: the components, operation, and variables of dental x-ray machines; and the principles of radiation physics, biology, chemistry, and safety.
- Digital imaging techniques and conventional intra and extra-oral radiographic techniques will be studied. Radiography prescription requirements, chart entries, quality assurance, and regulatory requirements.
- Students will apply the theory and practice of exposing, processing radiographs and/or digital imaging procedures through following the radiography prescription, quality assurance, regulatory requirements and completing chart entries.
- The course introduces students to the principles of dental pharmacology, terminology, and the classification of drugs as they apply in a dental context.
- Treatment of medical conditions related to the use of various pharmaceuticals, their physiological actions, negative reactions and/or side effects, and effects on the oral cavity soft tissues in relationship to dental care will be examined.
- The course is designed to introduce students to the preparation and application of dental materials for restorative and aesthetic procedures.
- Students will learn the chemical, physical, mechanical, and surface properties; handling characteristics; and bioactivity and biocompatibility of a wide variety of purpose specific dental materials in clinical/lab use.
- The utilization of dental materials, mixing techniques, and safety protocol will be examined in the fabrication of mouth guards, whitening trays, diagnostic casts, study models, and custom trays.
- This course is designed to introduce students to the dental chairside assistant’s role in both general and specialized dentistry.
- Students will learn to identify a wide range of instruments and their uses; they will learn to prepare and apply dental materials in dental procedures and will learn the principles of moisture control.
- Students will be taught the basic procedural knowledge of both restorative and specialized dental procedures, including the armamentarium of the procedures.
- Emphasis will be placed on the fundamental knowledge to assist in both four-handed and six-handed dentistry to develop the skill of an efficient chairside dental assistant.
- The comprehensive course will allow students to integrate, apply, and further develop previously acquired conceptual knowledge.
- This includes patient management techniques, taking dental histories, and charting, moisture control, armamentarium, operating and maintaining dental equipment and sterilization.
- Fundamental collaborative chair-side dental assisting skills in a clinical environment are covered, with an emphasis on the dental assistant’s role in operative procedures and communication methods used within the dental health team.
- This course takes place in the college's dental clinic.
- Students will work under the direct supervision of the dentist in a general dental practice.
- A licensed certified dental assistant (CDA) or a Chairside Dental Assistant will support the student’s experiential learning.
- Students will apply and build on the skills learned in assisting chairside with instrumentation preparation and transfer, sterilization, infection prevention, and safety practices. Students will assist with office and patient management.
- Pre-requisites: all courses from Semesters 1 and 2; DNTC195.
