Integrated Community Dental Assisting: Program overview

About

Welcome to PCC and the HEP Pathway

Welcome to Portland Community College and the start of your path to a rewarding career!

The Healthcare & Emergency Professions (HEP) pathway provides opportunities for students to gain certificates, degrees, licensure, and/or credentials to further their careers in healthcare and emergency services fields. Many of our programs provide hands-on learning opportunities with advanced technology, practical training in clinical settings, and instructors with industry experience. Program graduates are in high demand in the healthcare and emergency professions industry and have the potential to earn excellent wages and benefits.

For more information about the Healthcare & Emergency Professions pathway, see the programs offered. See the Healthcare programs comparison chart to compare degrees and certificates offered, program costs, and potential salaries offered in each career path.

Welcome to Integrated Community Dental Assisting

Welcome to Portland Community College’s Integrated Community Dental Assisting program!

This opportunity will provide you with personal growth, expanding ideas, and employment potential for years ahead. In addition, the education you will receive will make you a welcomed member of the dental assisting profession.

The purpose of this program handbook is to answer questions you may have while enrolled in the Integrated Community Dental Assisting program. It offers guidelines and expectations of you as a dental assisting student that will ultimately result in your success.

During your time here at PCC, you may at times find the program difficult and challenging. However, with determination, effort, and a good attitude, you can succeed and take your place in this high demand field as a confident and competent dental assistant.

Upon completion of this program, you will be eligible to obtain an Oregon Certificate of Radiologic Proficiency, take the Dental Assisting National Board Infection Control Exam (ICE) and the Oregon Expanded Functions – General Dental Assisting Exam (ORXG) For more information, see the Dental Assisting National Board, Oregon Dental Assistant Requirements.

As you begin this program, the dental assisting instructors and program coordinator wish you much success and look forward to working with you in the coming year.

The PCC Integrated Community Dental Assisting program

About Integrated Community Dental Assisting

Integrated Community Dental Assisting website

Mission and values

Portland Community College’s Integrated Community Dental Assisting program supports student success by delivering access to quality education that matches dental community needs while promoting sustainability and a collaborative culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in a healthcare setting.

Vision statement

Building futures for our students and communities.

Goals and objectives

  1. Access and student success: The program will provide access to quality dental assisting education through evidence-based instruction and innovative technology that meet current industry standards. This approach is designed to prepare students for successful completion of national and state examinations required for certification and entry into the workforce.
  2. Economic development: The program will create partnerships that effectively link PCC’s dental assisting students with the local dental industry, enhancing practical application and preparation for employment upon graduation.
  3. Environmental sustainability: The program will support PCC’s mission of sustainability by offering quality education with the most up-to-date dental equipment and technology, thus maintaining the integrity of environmental ecosystems.
  4. Quality education: The program will deliver student-centered, evidence-based quality education through a variety of progressive and innovative platforms. This approach aims to develop both hard skills and soft skills, including critical thinking, self-management, and self-assessment.
  5. Diversity, equity, and inclusion: The program will promote an environment of cultural awareness and inclusiveness that acknowledges each individual’s worth and uniqueness, thereby stimulating economic growth and contributing to a more diverse workforce.
  6. Ethics and responsibility: The program will prepare dental assisting students to uphold ethical and responsible standards by adhering to the statutes, regulations, and guidelines provided by governing agencies.

Accreditation

Portland Community College is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). For more information, see the college’s Accreditation webpage.

Costs

See “The Investment” section on the program website.

Leadership

Janeen Hull
PCC – Academic & Career Pathways Dean

See the PCC Organizational Guide for information about college administration.

Contacts

Portland Community College
Vanport Building
1810 SW 5th Ave., Floor 3
Portland, Oregon 97201
Telephone: 971-722-4909

College mailing address:
PO Box 19000
Portland, Oregon 97280-0990

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Academic overview