IMMUNIZATIONS
In addition to the State College immunization requirements, students are required to be immunized for Hepatitis B, annual influenza. Students will receive a packet of information at the time of acceptance into Tunxis Community College Dental Assisting Program.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS
Some clinical learning sites require students to undergo a background check for felony convictions.
Students who do not pass the background check may be excluded from the clinical site and may not be able to meet the competencies required for the program.
CLINICAL SITES
Clinical learning experiences are planned as an integral part of the dental assisting courses and are held at a variety of health care settings, such as hospitals, extended care facilities, and selected community health centers. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from assigned clinical sites. Clinical experiences may be assigned during daytime, evening, or weekend hours. Assignment of clinical sites is at the discretion of the dental assisting faculty.
WAIVER OF LICENSURE GUARANTEE
Upon successful completion of the certificate program in Dental Assisting, the graduate is eligible to take the General Chairside Dental Assisting National Board exam to become a Certified Dental Assistant. Students must pass all three components (Infection Control Examination; Radiation Health and Safety Examination; and the General Chairside Examination) of the Dental Assisting National Board to become a Certified Dental Assistant.
Dental assistants in Connecticut must successfully complete the Dental Assisting National Board’s Infection Control exam or an infection control competency assessment administered by a CODA-accredited dental education program in Connecticut. Dental assistants in Connecticut must also successfully complete the Dental Assisting National Board’s Radiation Health and Safety exam to legally expose patients for radiographic imaging.
Students/Candidates who live/work or plan to live/work outside of Connecticut should verify the licensing/credentialing required for dental assistants in that state to ensure that credentialing will be accepted. We suggest that you research the Dental Assisting National Board’s website listings that provide requirements for each state. The Dental Assisting National Board webpage link is provided below for your convenience.
FELONY CONVICTION
In order to participate in clinicals you will be asked the question: “Have you ever been found guilty or convicted as a result of an act which constitutes a felony under the laws of this state, federal law or the laws of another jurisdiction and which, if committed within this state, would have constituted a felony under the laws of this state? If your answer is “yes,” give full details, dates, etc. on a separate notarized statement and furnish a certified court copy (with court seal affixed) of the original complaint, the answer, the judgment, the settlement, and/or the disposition.”
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
As a health care professional/student, you are at an increased risk for contracting blood borne infectious diseases. The Division of Allied Health is not responsible for any medical cost associated with you contracting any communicable disease during or prior to your education and/or participation in Tunxis Community College Dental Assisting Program sponsored functions. If you contract a blood borne infectious disease before or during your enrollment appropriate health experts must be consulted to determine your ability to treat patients.