Dental Assisting (Levels I and II)
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Program Overview
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, patientcentred care, our dental assisting program is for you!
Program Details
Program Code
DAS3
Credential:
Ontario College Certificate
Duration
36 weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2025 September
London
Open
2024 September
London
Closed
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2025 September
London
Open
2024 September
London
Closed
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, modelled 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 well-prepared to successfully complete the National Dental Assisting Examination Board (NDAEB) Exam in order to practice as a Level II Dental Assistant. In fact, the program’s 2023 Dental Assisting graduates achieved an incredible 94% pass rate on the board exam. 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.
NCMSTEP
This program is eligible for subsidized tuition for current and future members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Visit Fanshawe’s Military Connected Campus page to learn more.
Career Information
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
Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?
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 enjoy 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, taking and pouring dental impressions while being responsible for managing the sterilization bay.
New Oral Health Clinic - Now Open!
The Dental Assisting program facilities have received a complete make-over and are returning the clinical portion of the program to Fanshawe's London Campus. This space features a new, state-of-the-art, public oral health clinic with a dental radiography suite that includes the latest in digital radiography. Students will begin learning skills utilizing fully functional modern dental manikin simulators and will progress into live patient care in the new clinical and restorative spaces. Students can safely learn decontamination and sterilization processes on a sterilization centre in their simulation labs, modelled after a typical dental office. View the clinic
My time in the Dental Assisting program was incredible! The instructors are very knowledgeable and supportive. The new clinic makes the transition from classroom to workplace very smooth.
Ganith Dayasundara
Recent Graduate
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
1. maintain client* and personal safety in the practice environment.
2. 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.
3. contribute to the development of a comprehensive plan* for oral health services and programs* in collaboration with the client* and other health professionals
4. provide oral health services and programs*, as identified in the comprehensive plan* and as permitted within the scope of practice
5. 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
6. act in a professional and competent manner.
7. maintain client* records and manage office procedures in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.
Academic School
Program Coordinator:
Jennifer Cooper RRDH, BSc, MSc
Explore our vibrant campuses and discover what makes Fanshawe unique. Get a firsthand look at classrooms, labs, student spaces, and residence halls, and connect with faculty, staff, and current students. Whether you're interested in learning more about academic programs, student services, or extracurricular activities, this is your chance to experience campus life up close. Don't miss the opportunity to see how we can help you achieve your academic and career goals!
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature applicant with a minimum final grade of 65 in each of the following courses:
- Grade 12 English (C or U)
- Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C or U)
- Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry (C or U)
- Grade 11 Math (U or M) or Grade 12 Math (C or U)
Students who do not meet the admission requirements are recommended for academic upgrading. A conditional offer may be possible with proof of enrolment. Alternatively, students may choose to do a one-year preparatory program that provides all the admission requirements. Fanshawe's Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees or General Arts and Science-One Year are two possible pathways into this program.
Note:
This is a competitive program; we receive more applications from qualified applicants than seats available. Please see www.fanshawec.ca/hcp for details. Being highly successful in a preparatory program does make your future application more competitive.
Competitive Programs
This is a competitive program; the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of seats available. Please see www.fanshawec.ca/hcp for details. International students, please note: you must successfully graduate from Pre-Health Sciences before being considered for this program. |
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 79 |
| IELTS Academic | Overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands |
| CAEL | Overall score of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands. score of 80 in listening |
| PTE Academic | 53 |
| Cambridge English | Overall score of 169 with no language skill less than 162 |
| ESL4/GAP5 | Minimum grade of 80% in Level 8, 75% in Level 9, or 70% in Level 10 |
| Duolingo | Overall score of 105, with no score lower than 95 |
Recommended Academic Preparation
Recommended Academic Preparation
- Grade 12 Business and Technological Communication (O)
- It is highly recommended that students be proficient in word processing skills before entry into the program. Students should consider enrolling in a computer course to ensure that skills are attained prior to entry in the program.
Recommended Personal Preparation
Recommended Personal Preparation
- Students should develop personal responsibility, emotional maturity and those characteristics which will enable them to co-operate with others in the delivery of health care and in meeting the public in a dental office
Applicant Selection Criteria
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:
- Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
- Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
- Achievement in the Admission Requirements
Note:
- Admission to the Fanshawe College General Arts and Science program does not guarantee admission in a subsequent year to the Dental Assisting (Levels I and II) program. Successful completion of the Fanshawe College General Arts and Science program, however, does enable the student to be given additional consideration when applying to the Dental Assisting (Levels I and II) program. The General Arts and Science program is the preferred designated preparatory program for admission to the Dental Assisting (Levels I and II) program.
Post-Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
For all programs requiring the submission of pre-placement forms, please submit all supplemental forms (with the exception of transcripts) by email to regforms@fanshawec.ca.
The deadline for submission of these forms for the DAS3 program is September 30th.
Courses
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| WRIT-1048 | Reason & Writing 1 for Health Sciences | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce health sciences students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| DENT-1063 | Emergency Management | 2 | ||
| This course integrates emergency theory with prevention and management in the clinical practice setting using a body system in health and disease approach. Pharmacological classifications and principles including drugs frequently prescribed or used in dental practices will be highlighted. The potential impact of patient medications and recreational drug use to both oral health and the safety of patients during clinical care will be explored. | ||||
| DENT-1053 | Infection Prevention & Control | 3 | ||
| This course provides the theoretical foundation in the study of microorganisms that contribute to disease transmission in dental settings. Through the study of infection prevention and control procedures, students will gain an appreciation and understanding of their role in reducing the risk of disease transmission to the healthcare team and members of the public. | ||||
| DENT-1054 | Dental Materials for Clinical Practice | 1 | ||
| Students will learn the properties and manipulation of materials used during restorative and clinical procedures in the dental office. Emphasis will be placed on achievement of optimal outcomes to ensure that materials meet requirements needed for clinical use. | ||||
| DENT-1055 | Patient Care Procedures 1 | 3.5 | ||
| This course provides students with the theoretical and practical skills required for assisting operative dentistry. Using clinical simulations and peer experiences, students will demonstrate a variety of dental assisting skills used in fourhanded dentistry. Health and safety procedures and optimal infection prevention and control protocols will be emphasized to ensure clinician and patient safety in the clinical setting. | ||||
| DENT-1056 | Oral Health Records | 1 | ||
| This course provides students with an understanding of effective communication skills used when interacting with patients, the public, allied health professionals and the dental team. Utilizing patient management software, the student will collect and record patient oral health records using the process of care model in keeping with clinical protocols, regulatory and legislative requirements. | ||||
| DENT-1061 | Dental Radiography 1 | 2 | ||
| This course provides a basic knowledge of radiation generation and factors influencing image formation. The student will become familiar with oral radiography equipment and the techniques for producing digital radiographic images of diagnostic quality. Quality assurance, health and safety and infection prevention and control measures will be introduced in accordance with current legislation, guidelines and standards. | ||||
| DENT-1058 | Head & Neck Anatomy | 3 | ||
| This course provides the student with foundational knowledge of the human dentition including tooth designation systems, tooth surfaces and tooth development. It explores anatomical landmarks of the head and neck, the nerve supply and vascular circulation of the head and neck, salivary structures and the anatomy of the tongue. Students are introduced to the etiology, clinical appearance, symptoms, treatment and prevention of common oral pathological conditions. | ||||
| DENT-1059 | Oral Disease Prevention & Treatment 1 | 2 | ||
| This course introduces students to caries and periodontal disease processes. Through theoretical and case based learning opportunities, students will develop individualized approaches to patient education, preventive home care strategies and treatment recommendations that optimize oral health. | ||||
Tuition Summary
London
*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.