This Occupational Competency Analysis Profile (OCAP) contains a competency list verified by expert workers and developed through a modified DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) involving business, industry, labor, and community agency representatives from Ohio. This OCAP identifies the occupational, academic, and employability skills (competencies) needed to enter the dental assistant occupation. The competencies are clustered into 11 units that cover the following topics: infection control and hazards management; general health; emergency procedures; preventive dental assisting procedures; chairside assistance; dental specialties; dental laboratory procedures; dental office procedures; radiographic procedures; communications; and professionalism. In addition, employability competencies are grouped into 12 units: career development; decision making and problem solving; work ethic; job-seeking skills; job retention and career advancement skills; technology in the workplace; lifelong learning; economic education; balancing work and family; citizenship in the workplace; leadership; and entrepreneurship. The units detail the knowledge, skills, and attitudes (competency builders) needed to perform each competency. Within the competency list are two levels of items, core items essential for entry-level employment, and items needed to advance in dental assisting occupations. The OCAP guide also contains an academic job profile based on the Work Keys system that identifies the level of applied academic skills that students must master to qualify for and be successful in their occupations; a total list of academic competencies in communication, mathematics, and science that all students must master; and a specific list of academic competencies needed for dental assisting. (KC)