Productive Dental Assisting (PDA) is a post secondary Dental Assisting School which provides an environment for learning the knowledge, skills and behaviors necessary for professional practice. Program curriculum is based upon biological, physical, behavioral, dental sciences, and general studies. The program promotes self-directed and service learning for personal and professional growth and development. It serves as a foundation for continued learning in an ever-changing field of dentistry. Our PDA program is a 10 week course, taught 2 nights a week and includes an internship. One night is classroom training, the second night is a hands on lab in an actual dental office. To round out and accelerate the skills and knowledge development, we include an internship which runs parallel with our 10 week classroom and hand on lab program, where each student shadows an actual dentist and dental assistants for 8 hours a week in a live dental practice. PDA Philosophy: Prepare students to demonstrate knowledge and clinical skills essential for the delivery of supportive dental services. Graduates will understand the role of the dental assistant as well as that of all other members of the dental health team and will be prepared to adapt to the changing demands of the oral health care profession. PDA seeks to develop dental assistants who view their profession with confidence and pride, those who understand its territory and scope of practice and are able to influence the factors that affect the advancement of the profession. PDA Goals: 1. Communicate in a professional manner with patients, families, dentists, other health care providers and community groups. 2. Use ethical judgments in the delivery of Dental Assisting functions. 3. Utilize an office internship to prepare students for employment as an integral member of the dental team. 4. Utilize knowledge, skills, and abilities in the application of Dental Assisting functions.