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Dental Instruments

Dental Assisting, V.C.

Program Snapshot
Academic CredentialCertificate
Total Credit Hours47
Average Time to Complete10 Months
Academic PathwayHealth Sciences
AdvisorLaurie Womble, BHs, CDA
Dental Assisting Coordinator
850.769.1551, ext 5842
lwomble@gulfcoast.edu

Academic Program SpecialistAlyssa Evans
850.913.3311
Health SciencesGCSC@gulfcoast.edu

Visit the Dental Programs Website

Complete the Program Application

Visit my faculty page

ACCESS THE PROGRAM ROADMAP

Dental Assisting, Certificate

Welcome to the Dental Assisting Program at Gulf Coast State College. These pages provide an overview of the program and a survey of program highlights. Thank you for visiting our site. We look forward to serving your educational needs.

The Dental Assisting program is a limited access program. A selective admissions policy and specific selection criteria are used select the most qualified applicants. The strength of the applicant pool varies year to year, with the best qualified applicants receiving first consideration. It is the applicant’s responsibility to inquire about these specific admission and selection criteria and to ensure that all required documents are received on campus prior to the published deadline.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed this program and other important information, please visit www.gulfcoast.edu/ge/deas

About the Dental Assisting Program at GCSC

The dental assistant is a multi-skilled member of the dental health team, dedicated to assisting the dentist with all phases of dentistry.

Career Opportunities Accreditation Learning Objectives
Dental Assisting taking xrays
Dental Clinic

Dental Assisting Course Requirements

DEA0020C, Pre-Clinical Procedures
 DEA0132, Dental Nutrition
DEA0133, Introduction to Microbiology
DEA0134, Introductory Pharmacology/Dental  Office Emergencies
DEA0800L, Clinical Practice I
DEA0801, Clinical Practice II
DEA0801L, Clinical Practice II Lab
DEA0850L, Clinical Practice III
DEH1400, Oral Pathology
DES0501, Dental Practice Management
DES0844, Dental Health Education
DES1000, Dental Anatomy
DES1010, Head and Neck Anatomy
DES1100C, Dental Materials
DES1200, Dental Radiology I
DES1200L, Dental Radiology I Lab
DES1201, Dental Radiology II
DES1201L, Dental Radiology II Lab
DES1320, Basic Comm. and Human Relations
DES1404, Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
DES1832, Expanded Functions
DES1832L, Expanded Functions Lab

Dental Assisting Information

Role of the Dental Assistant

The dental assistant is a multiskilled member of the dental health team, dedicated to assisting the dentist with all phases of dentistry. Dental Assistants may perform any of the following:

  • Seating patients in the treatment area
  • Passing requested instruments to the dentist during dental procedures
  • Sterilization and preparation of instruments
  • Taking impressions of teeth for study models
  • Polishing clinical crowns
  • Exposing and developing X-rays

Educational Requirements

A full-time student can complete the Dental Assisting Program in as little as ten months. Coursework is delivered through a full- time traditional schedule (Monday-Friday), which includes classroom lectures, web courses, and clinical experiences, both on campus and in local dental offices. 

Who is Eligible for the Program?
If you are a high school graduate, you can apply to this program. If you have earned credits from a regionally accredited college or university, you may have a head start at Gulf Coast State College.
Why Choose Gulf Coast State College to Earn Your Degree?
You'll get a great education with one of the lowest tuition rates in the state. With small class sizes and professors who care, you'll get the personal attention you deserve. More than 90% of our graduates would recommend Gulf Coast State College to others.
Patient and Dental Assistant

GCSC Dental Clinic

Gulf Coast State College offers a state-of -the-art patient dental clinic at the Panama City Campus in the George C. Tapper Health Sciences Building which provides patient care opportunities to our community.  This high tech dental clinic allows for students in the dental programs to become highly skilled dental auxiliaries while working alongside licensed dentist, registered dental hygienists, and certified dental assistants.

Are you ready to Get Started?

How to apply to the Dental Assisting Program

To apply to the Dental Assisting certificate program, you’ll need to complete two applications: the general admission application to Gulf Coast State College and a Dental Assisting application packet.  Please check the Dental Assisting Program web page for information regarding a career in Dental Assisting and the application packet for a complete list of admission requirements.

Consult the Gulf Coast State College Catalog for specific program and course information.

Apply to Gulf Coast

Complete the Dental Assisting Online Application

Apply for Financial Aid & Scholarships

There are many options available to help you pay for college. Find out more about  scholarships and financial aid at Gulf Coast State College.

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

Register for Classes

Check out the class registration dates and plan your schedule today.

REGISTER

Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs, activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. All questions or inquiries regarding compliance with laws relating to non-discrimination and all complaints regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination, may be directed to Lee Wood, Executive Director, Human Resources/Title II/504/Title IX Coordinator and Employment Equity Officer, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. US Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.