Bulletin of Dental Education Article

The Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) Dental Assisting Certificate Program experienced a full student class after the restructuring of its program. The result was 18 students this academic year, a full class and the need to create a waiting list for additional prospective students.

Prompted by low student enrollment rates, the New Mexico-based community college decided to adjust elements of the program with the goal of increasing enrollment.

The changes in the certificate program included:

• Adjusting it from three semesters to two semesters;
• Arranging the lectures and labs from an eight-week schedule to three days a week;
• Starting students with clinicals in the first semester after providing needed training in HIPPA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), radiology safety and emergency management;
• Moving the English/communication course from a prerequisite to co-requisite requirement; and
• Introducing bilingual instructions, in English and Spanish, for labs and communication with students with the help of bilingual SFCC faculty.

These adjustments helped students connect topics in their textbooks to clinical training, adding clarity to learned concepts in a hands-on setting. In addition, SFCC also introduced a new course in English for Spanish speakers.

Courtesy of Santa Fe Community College

Published on September 10, 2025