The Dental Assistant with Expanded Functions is a member of the oral health team. The program provides training on chair side assisting techniques and expanded functions in basic restorative and preventive dentistry, that enable students to successfully perform as Dental Assistants with Expanded Functions (EFDA) in the public and the private sectors.

Upon completion of the program of studies, students receive an Associate Degree in Dental Assistance. This is a two-year program with a total of seventy-three (73) semester credit-hours. Students must complete the first year of general education courses at an accredited college or university (30 semester credit- hours). Professional courses are taken at the Medical Sciences Campus during the second year of studies. (43 trimester credit-hours).

Applicants to this program must present evidence of completion of courses within the following areas at an accredited college or university. For specific courses within each subject, please contact the program.

Spanish                6 Semester Credit-Hours

English                6 Semester Credit-Hours

Social Sciences or     6 Semester Credit-Hours

Humanities       

Biological Sciences    6 Semester Credit-Hours

Mathematics            3 Semester Credit-Hours

Electives              3 Semester Credit-Hours

Total                  30  Sem. Credit-Hours

Students who wish to be considered for admission to this program must also meet the following requirements:

• Obtain a minimum general grade point average at least 2.00 in required courses.
• Have a grade point average of at least 2.0 in biological sciences and mathematics.
• Fluency in Spanish and knowledge and comprehension of English.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate the students must:

·         Obtain a general grade point average of 2.00 or higher.

•   Satisfactorily complete all didactic and clinical practice courses, as specified by the program.

Accreditation

Our college offers the only Dental Assisting Program in Puerto Rico fully accredited bye the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

Curriculum

First Semester                                                                                                         Credits

AUXD 2007    Oral Embriology/Histology                                                                   2

AUXD 2015    Dental Oral/Head and Neck Anatomy                                                  3

AUXD 2017    Microbiology/Pathology/Therapeutic                                                    3

AUXD 2025    Radiology                                                                                            4

PAXD 2010     Intr. To General and Specialties Dental Procedures                              2

PAXD 2015     Dental Materials                                                                                  2

PAXD 2016     Dental Instruments                                                                               2

PAXD 2017     Chairside Assisting and Basic Clinical Procedures Lab                          1

PAXD 2018     Expanded Functions in Preventive Laboratory                                      2

PAXD 2029     Expanded Functions in Restaurative Laboratory                                   3

Second Semester

AUXD 2005    Anatomy and Physiology                                                                      2

AUXD 2020    Psychology                                                                                          2

AUXD 2225    Practice Management, Ethic and Jurisprudence                                     2

PAXD 2024     Expanded Functions in Preventive Clinic                                              2

PAXD 2030     Expanded Functions in Restorative Clinic                                             3

PAXD 2101     Clinic Practice I                                                                                   4

Summer

PAXD 2102     Clinic Practice II                                                                                  4

Job Opportunities

Rapid employment growth and above average job turnover should result in good job opportunities.

The types of practice settings available to dental assistant include:

·        Solo dental practices

·        Group practices

·        Specialty practices

·        Public health dentistry

·        Dental school clinics

·        Insurance companies

·        Teaching at dental assistants schools (which may require associate or baccalaureate college degrees)

·        Dental product sales representatives

Dental Assistants Earning Potential

Dental assistants earn salaries equal to other health care personnel.  The salary of a dental assistant depends primarily upon the responsibilities associated with the specific position and the geographic location of employment.

For more information about Dental Assisting write to or Call:

Mailing Address:

University of Puerto Rico

Medical Sciences Campus

College of Health Related Professions

Undergraduate Department

Dental Assisting Program

PO Box 365067

San Juan, PR  00936-5067

Physical Address

Medical Center
Monacillo Area, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico

• Medical Sciences Campus, Main Building, 1st Floor, Office B-110

Tel.:  (787) 758-2525, Ext. 1158, 1156

Fax:  (787) 751-3061