Dental Assisting
Certificate
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Third Party Comments – CODA Accreditation Review
The Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Programs at Pima Community College will undergo a comprehensive site visit by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) on April 28-30, 2026.
In accordance with United States Department of Education (USDE) and CODA requirements, the Commission invites third party comments regarding the program’s compliance with accreditation standards. Third party comments may be submitted by faculty, students, administrators, dental-related organizations, patients, and members of the public.
Comments must:
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Relate only to CODA accreditation standards or policies and procedures used in the accreditation process.
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Links:
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Be submitted directly to CODA (not to the program)
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Be submitted no later than February 28, 2026
Comments may be signed or unsigned. All comments are screened by CODA for relevance. Names and/or signatures will be removed before comments are forwarded to the program. Third party comments should be emailed to the appropriate CODA staff member.
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Dental Hygiene--Kathleen Navickask, navickask@ada.org
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Dental Assisting--Jamie Asher Hernandez, asherhernandezj@ada.org
Pima’s Dental Assisting Certificate prepares you to enter directly in to the workforce AND, if you're interested, continue on the pathway to becoming a Dental Hygienist. At Pima, you will learn to assist dentists and other dental professionals in patient care. You will complete at least 336 hours of clinical work in dental clinics or offices.
Limited Admissions Program: Students must meet the preparatory coursework and any other prerequisites and apply to the program. Depending on available spots, students may be placed on a waiting list before starting the program. See Program Admissions or an advisor for details.
Explore more skills in our course catalog.Program At a Glance
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Length of Program
32 Weeks
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Study Methods
In Person
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Title IV Financial Aid eligible
- This program has additional admission requirements
Graduate in Under a Year
You can complete our Dental Assisting Certificate in less than one year and be ready to work, assisting dentists and other dental professionals in patient care. Then, if you're interested, work as a Dental Assistant while continuing in our Dental Hygienist program.
Support When You Need It
Not sure if this is the right path for you? Schedule an appointment with an advisor to:
- Discuss program options and pathways to a bachelor’s degree
- Learn about funding and financial aid
- Get personalized guidance to reach your goals