This document contains dental assisting competencies and competency-based performance objectives, learning activities, resources, and evaluation procedures for each competency that was adapted and developed by instructors of dental assisting to suit the needs and legal parameters of Pennsylvania. The competencies and associated elements are intended to help Pennsylvania health occupations educators determine curriculum. The document consists of an abstract that briefly describes the project that produced the competencies; an introduction that explains competency-based education; a section that analyzes health care occupations; a section that explains performance objectives; a section that tells how the project objectives were met in the production of the competencies and other elements; a summary; a 14-item bibliography; and an appendix that contains all the competencies and associated elements. In the appendix, the 71 competencies are arranged in 16 instructional units, entitled Role and Responsibility, Clinical/Administrative Office Management, Communications, Microbiology/Dental and Surgical Asepsis, Dental Laboratory Duties, General Chairside Procedures, Expanded Functions, Dental Anatomy/Histomorphology, First Aid/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Dental Radiology, Medical/Dental Terminology, Safety, Pharmacology, Nutrition, Special Dental Needs, and Career Opportunity/Employment Preparation. Each competency is accompanied by objectives, learning activities keyed to resources, list of resources, and evaluation procedures. (CML)