Dental Assisting Program
CCRI's Accredited Dental Assisting Program will provide educational opportunities to empower students to become competent dental assistants who both assist with and perform quality comprehensive care in an ethical, interdisciplinary, culturally sensitive manner. We promote lifelong learning and community service. We are committed to educating dental health professionals who can function as a member of the dental health team and are able to perform the roles of clinician, change agent, health promoter and educator. The program prepares graduates to meet the future oral health needs of a culturally diverse society within a changing healthcare system.
- Goal #1: Prepare students for professional careers as Dental Assisting National Board, Certified Dental Assistants (DANB CDA®), in accordance with the program competencies, DANB’s Code of Professional Ethics and Rhode Island State Law and Rules and Regulations.
- Goal #2: Provide the public and the dental community with competent, caring dental assistants, prepared to assist with and perform expanded functions and comprehensive care in a variety of clinical settings and to be active members of the dental health team.
- Goal #3: Educate and train students with the academic knowledge and skill competence, to successfully complete the DANB Certified Dental Assistant Examination and to become lifelong learners in the dental field.
The program in dental assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements”. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda.
Faculty & Staff
| Name | Campus | Office | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerri H. Friel Program Director Professor |
Flanagan | 2375 | [email protected] |
| Audra Lavoie Assistant Professor |
Flanagan | 2371 | [email protected] |
| Sarah Luther Assistant Professor |
Flanagan | 2375 | [email protected] |
| Janice Schmitz Associate Professor |
Flanagan | 2376 | [email protected] |
| Aubrie Viera Assistant Professor |
Flanagan | 2376 | [email protected] |
| Name | Campus | Office | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanna Popolla Coordinator |
Flanagan | 1161 | 401-333-7330 | [email protected] |
| Karen Souza Department Secretary |
Flanagan | (near 2375) | 401-333-7438 | [email protected] |
From the Catalog
- Program of Study, Admission Requirements and Program Requirements
- Health Sciences General Policies
- Course Descriptions see Available Courses for online versions
- Student Handbook
Helpful Links
- Technical Standards
- Admission Guidelines
- Performance Based Health Science Application (currently accepting students through 8/11/2023)
- Mission of the College
Areas of Study
Dental Assistant Program
CCRI's Dental Assisting Program prepares students to become DANB Certified Dental Assistants. Dental assisting is among the top 25 fastest-growing occupations in the United States. As a dental assistant, you will not only enjoy increased opportunities in a growing field, you will also enhance the efficiency of a dental care team. (More from DANB)
Learn MoreDental Hygienist Program
If you like helping people, enjoy working with your hands as well as your mind, and are interested in helping to prevent disease while assisting patients to maintain their health, a career as a dental hygienist may be for you. Dental hygienists are important members of the dental health care team who work with dentists in the delivery of dental care to patients. Hygienists use their knowledge and clinical skills to provide dental hygiene care for patients. They use their interpersonal skills to motivate and instruct patients on methods to prevent oral disease and to maintain oral health. (More from RIDA)
Learn More