Essential Functions

The purpose of the essential functions list is to allow prospective students who are considering a career to be informed of the physical, emotional, and psychological demands related to training and employment in a field of study. These lists are provided to allow prospective students to make informed career choices by providing them with a summary of the physical abilities and personality traits that are generally required for the successful completion of a curriculum and result in employment in their field of study after graduation. According to the nature of the work required in the Dental Assisting program, students must be able to perform the following essential functions:

• Reach, manipulate, and operate equipment necessary for the Dental Assistant.
• Possess the dexterity to manipulate and mix dental materials.
• Visually assess patients' conditions and clearly see patients' teeth from a distance of 20 inches.
• Move, adjust, and position patients as needed.
• Communicate effectively in English using verbal, non-verbal, and written formats with faculty, other students, patients, and all members of the dental team.
• Have sufficient emotional stability and responsibility to withstand the stresses, uncertainties, and changing circumstances that characterize the work duties of dental assisting.
• Work in a sitting position for at least one hour at a time.
• Display flexibility and adaptability.
• Possess the ability to demonstrate professional behaviors and a strong work ethic and comply with the Dental Assisting Code of Ethics.
• Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation.