Dental assistants and hygienists play a crucial role in patient care. In Germanna's Dental programs, you'll learn to assist dentists during procedures, prepare patients, perform cleanings and exams, and provide instructions for oral healthcare. Your work directly impacts patients’ well-being and oral health.
Dental Programs
Detailed program information and course requirements can be found in the College Catalog.
Dental Assisting I
![Dental - Oral Anatomy](/sites/default/files/styles/general_card/public/2022-12/Healthcare%20-%20Dental%20Assisting.jpg.webp?itok=5yE3lhlA)
In this 1-2 year program, you'll learn to assist dentists during procedures, educate patients on oral health, handle administrative tasks, and ensure a smooth patient experience.
Application Dates
- June 1 - September 1
We encourage you to review all Dental program requirements before applying to a program.
How to get started
1. Become a Germanna student
2. Watch our information session
3. Meet with a Dental advisor
6. Share your work experience (optional)
7. Complete a background check
Traditional Program Requirements
First Semester
11 credits
- SDV 101
- BIO 145
- ENG 111
- PSY 200 or 230
Second Semester
13 credits
- DNA 103
- DNA 108
- DNA 110
- DNA 113
- DNA 134
Third Semester
7 credits
- DNA 190
- DNA 114
Fourth Semester
9 credits
- DNA 119
- DNA 120
- DNA 130
- DNA 140
Dental Assisting II
![Two dental assisting technicians cleaning a persons teeth](/sites/default/files/styles/general_card/public/2022-06/dental%20assisting.jpg.webp?itok=U8nAGKMu)
Level up your skills: learn to place direct restorations, study impression and advanced tooth repair techniques, and much more in our series of Dental Assisting II programs.
These programs are restricted to students who are certified dental assistants recognized by the Dental Assisting National Board.
Programs
- Oral Anatomy & Operative Dentistry (prerequisite)
- Expanded Functions Dental Assisting
- Indirect Restorative Techniques
- Restorative Dental Function
Application Dates
- June 1 - September 1
We encourage you to review all Dental program requirements before applying to a program.
How to get started
1. Become a Germanna student
2. Watch our information session
3. Meet with a Dental advisor
6. Share your work experience (optional)
7. Complete a background check
Dental Hygiene
![Dental hygienist examining patient at the Moss Clinic](/sites/default/files/styles/general_card/public/2022-05/dentalhygenist2.jpg.webp?itok=KNO1cIF5)
Learn oral anatomy and pathology, develop skills in assessing oral health, and get hands-on experience in scaling, polishing, and applying sealants in our 2-year Dental Hygiene program.
Application Dates
- June 1 - September 1
We encourage you to review all Dental program requirements before applying to a program.
How to get started
1. Become a Germanna student
2. Watch our information session
3. Meet with a Dental advisor
6. Share your work experience (optional)
7. Complete a background check
Traditional Program Requirements
First Five
14 credits
- SDV 101
- ENG 111
- PSY 200
- BIO 141
- HUM Elective
First Semester
18 credits
- SDV 101
- BIO 141
- DNH 111
- DNH 141
- DNH 130
- DNH 115
Second Semester
8 credits
- BIO 142
- BIO 150
Third Semester
13 credits
- DNH 142
- DNH 216
- DNH 120
- DNH 146
- DNH 145
Fourth Semester
13 credits
- DNH 143
- DNH 226
- DNH 235
- DNH 214
- ENG 111
Fifth Semester
5 credits
- DNH 244
Sixth Semester
13 credits
- DNH 245
- DNH 230
- DNH 227
- PSY 200
- HUM Elective
Support for Transfer Students
Although transfer is not the primary purpose of a certificate program, Germanna credits may transfer to other associate degree programs and/or senior institutions. Students interested in transfer should contact a counselor or their faculty advisor early in their program. The program expects to have an articulation agreement with Old Dominion University for bachelor’s and/or master’s degree completion.
Dental Student Outcomes
100%
Current pass rate for Germanna Dental Hygiene students on the CDCA-WREB-CITA exam
![Exterior shot of the Moss Dental Clinic located in downtown Fredericksburg](/sites/default/files/styles/general_card/public/2022-04/mossclinic.jpg.webp?itok=s1sN7Ihr)
Dental Services at the Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic
The Germanna Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs partner with the clinic to provide preventative dental hygiene services as well as restorative services.
The Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic is normally open Monday to Thursday.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact eligibility services at (540) 741-1061.
Ready to schedule an appointment? Call (540) 741-3709 to be placed on the treatment request list. Should you get the voicemail, please leave your name, address, and phone number.
- Place cancellations 1 to 2 days in advance so that students have time to schedule another patient and fulfill their academic requirements.
- Expect to spend 3 to 4 hours for your initial and subsequent appointments. Complete treatment may involve more than one appointment.
Clinical Experience
This service is offered so that the students may fulfill the clinical requirements of their college degree program. Students work with patients under the supervision of a registered dental hygienist and/or dentists. All work is checked carefully and frequently by instructors who are registered dental hygienists, assistants or licensed dentists, and students receive the necessary training during classroom and preclinical/laboratory sessions before performing these services on patients.
Services provided at no charge
- Taking and recording of vital signs
- Oral examinations and oral cancer screenings
- Charting of oral conditions
- Assessment and charting of periodontal conditions
- Positioning, exposing, and processing of radiographs
- Dental hygiene treatment planning
- Plaque indices
- Oral health education and nutritional counseling
- Periodontal scaling and root planing
- Ultrasonic scaling
- Coronal polishing
- Air abrasive polishing
- Application of pit and fissure sealants
- Fluoride treatments
- Application of chemotherapeutic agents
- Pain management
- Polishing of restorations
- Cleaning removable appliances and prostheses
- Evaluation of dental hygiene services
Codes of Ethics
American Dental Assistants Association
Members will:
- Abide by the bylaws and regulations
- Maintain loyalty to the Association
- Follow Association objectives
- Respect members & employees, serve, and act cooperatively with them
- Refrain from spreading malicious information regarding the ADAA
- Utilize sound business principles related to the organization
- Serve the Association and instill public confidence in it
- Uphold high personal standards of conduct
- Hold separate personal opinions from those endorsed by the ADAA
- Refrain from acceptance of compensation from other members
- Try to influence relevant legislation in a legal and ethical way
American Dental Hygienists' Association
Members of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association are obligated to practice their profession in a manner that supports the Association's purpose, beliefs, and values in accordance with the fundamental principles that support their ethics.
State Licensure and Certification
Germanna Community College has not determined if the Dental Assisting or Dental Hygiene Programs meet the requirements of any other states. Reach out to the Board of Dentistry or Board of Dental Examiners of your choice for specific information.