Integrated Community Dental Assisting: Academic overview
Learning outcomes
The outcomes for the Integrated Community Dental Assisting program are directly linked to PCC’s core Outcomes. Additionally an outcome addressing Ethics and Responsibility has also been added to the ICDA core outcomes. The ICDA program outcomes are listed below next to the college core outcome they are linked to:
| Outcomes | Core outcomes |
|---|---|
| Apply the knowledge and skills required to systematically collect diagnostic data. |
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| Function as an effective and efficient member of the dental health team by performing a variety of clinical supportive treatments |
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| Utilize the most current infection control and safety precautions in all laboratory and clinical settings. |
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| Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with the dental team members and patients. |
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| Function in a responsible, professional, and ethical manner in a dental or community practice setting. |
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| Demonstrate the clinical skills needed to perform direct patient care as stated in
Division 42 in the Oregon Practice Act. |
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| Address and respond appropriately to the issues that may arise from cultural and socioeconomic differences in both a dental and community environment. |
|
Curriculum
A total of eight Integrated Community Dental Assisting program classes, each completed with a grade of 75% or higher, is required to successfully complete the program. See “The Program” section on the program website for more information regarding the topics covered during the three terms.
Technical standards
ICDA program students must be able to meet the technical standards listed on the Dental Assisting Program expectations page.
Grading
Clinical performance
Clinical performance is evaluated based on specific objectives that will be given to the students on the first day of classes. Students will be given clinical evaluation tools that outline performance indicators at the beginning of each term. Performance indicators for each objective must be passed satisfactorily for all evaluated experiences.
Competencies
As a regular part of student progress evaluation, practical tests are conducted periodically to determine how well a student can perform specific tasks. This is referred to as “skill testing” and will occur in the laboratory or clinic setting. Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance levels before being allowed to perform each skill with patients in the clinic.
Academic performance
See the College policies: conduct, professional standards, and ethics section for the Portland Community College academic standards and refer to PCC’s Grading Guidelines. In the Integrated Community Dental Assisting program, students are expected to maintain a 75% level of performance in each of the required dental assisting courses to continue in the program.
Graduation: The student is required to maintain 75% in combined, required, technical, and general education courses in order to successfully complete the program.
Late assignments
Points will be deducted for late assignment submissions, as determined by the course instructor.
Withdrawal and re-entry
Students should confer with the Dental Health Education Coordinator and Program Manager before contacting Enrollment Services to withdraw from the program (see Enrollment Services’ process). If students are having difficulties and considering dropping from the program, faculty or the Dental Health Education Coordinator and Program Manager may have solutions to help students remain in the program. It is also important to know why a student decides to withdraw, for program planning purposes.
Re-entry and readmission procedures
Once dismissed for academic reasons, any student desiring readmission to the program will be required to repeat any failed or outdated course(s) and earn a passing grade. Readmission is assessed on a case-by-case basis and depends on factors including program capacity and student admission criteria. Those who have failed out of the program more than one time are not permitted for reapplication into the program.
Candidates that voluntarily withdrew from the program and would like re-entry should contact the Dental Health Education Coordinator and Program Manager as soon as possible prior to the time they desire to re-enter, before the final program application cycle. Specific requirements for reapplication, retesting, etc., will be available at that time.
Academic resources
The following are commonly used links that are helpful for the academic journey.
- Find these on the top bar of every college webpage:
- Academic Advising
- Bookstore
- Catalog
- Enrollment Services: Contact information to get help with registration.
- Register for classes: A guide on how to register.
- General Education/Discipline Studies
- Grading guidelines: Refer to this and the Catalog Grades and Transcripts guidelines. Note that in some programs, the grading standards are different from PCC’s guidelines. Certain programs must comply with standards set forth by national board exam and regional testing agencies.
- Student Records: Update your contact information, request transcripts, and get help with tasks such as:
- Advanced Placement
- Credit for prior learning
- Transfer credits to PCC: Students who are transferring coursework to Portland Community College must complete the following steps:
- Follow the instructions on the Transfer Credits to PCC page.
- Work with program admissions, program advisor, program director, or faculty department chair to submit requests for course substitutions as appropriate.
- University Transfer
- Transfer articulation agreements – check to see if there is an arrangement with your program of study and your transfer college.
- Steps to graduation: Includes information about accessing GRAD Plan.