Skills certificates are an acknowledgement that the student has attained a specified set of competencies within an occupational program. Skills certificates may be part of a “ladder” of skills, beginning with job entry skills and leading to a full Certificate of Achievement program. Skills Certificates require less than 18 units and are shorter in duration than the Certificate of Achievement.The Skills Certificate provides the student with knowledge of the fundamental language/skill necessary for dental courses. Successful completion of Dental Assisting 183 will earn the student a certificate in ultrasonic scaler usage in an orthodontic setting. This course is approved by the Board of Dental Examiners under the Department of Consumer Affairs administered through the Committee on Dental Auxiliaries. The original certificate is issued to the Committee on Dental Auxiliaries. Records of participants must be maintained for five years. This certificate allows the individual to use an ultrasonic scaler to remove excess supragingival cement around orthodontic bands in\ a private dental office or dental clinic under direct supervision of a dentist.