Program Description
The Dental Assisting Curriculum prepares individuals to assist the dentist in the delivery of dental treatment and to function as integral members of the dental team while performing chair-side and related office and laboratory procedures.
Course work includes instruction in general studies, biomedical sciences, dental sciences, clinical sciences, and clinical practice. A combination of lecture, laboratory, and clinical experiences provide students with detailed knowledge in infection/ hazard control, radiography, dental materials, preventive dentistry, and clinical procedures.
Upon graduation, graduates will be classified as a Dental Assistant II (DAII). A Dental Assistant II, as defined by the Dental Laws of North Carolina, can perform all legal expanded functions prescribed by a NC licensed dentist. Some of the many expanded functions a DA II can legally perform are: apply sealants, insert matrix bands and wedges, place cavity bases and liners, place and/or remove rubber dams, place and remove temporary restorations, remove sutures, expose radiographs, and performcoronal polish. (Further listing of DA II expanded functions can be found on NC State Board of Dental Examiners website www.ncdentalboard.org.) Graduates may be eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board Examination to become Certified Dental Assistants (CDA).
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program should be able to:
- Develop the essential skills to assist the dentist in a variety of dental procedures.
- Perform expanded function procedures delegated to a Dental Assistant II in the state of North Carolina
- Demonstrate knowledge of basic radiation safety related to personal and patient protection
- Demonstrate the ability to perform basic operations of the business office in a dental practice.
Gainful Employment
Gainful Employment information is required to be disseminated to current and future students for selected programs due to federal regulations. Additional information regarding the regulation can be found on the College’s website: www.alamancecc.edu/about-acc-site/gainful-employment-program-disclosures/ or at the following U.S. Department of Labor website: www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319091.htm.
CODA Accreditation
The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association (ADA), 211 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 1-800-621-8099. www.ada.org
Employment Opportunities
Upon completion graduates may seek employment in private general practices, public health clinics, specialty practices, hospital dental clinics and other related areas.
Pre-Dental Assisting
Students are admitted under the Associate in General Education degree until they have met admissions requirements for the program. Faculty members advise students as to the courses they should take before formal admission. All developmental requirements may need to be completed before admission or registration into some courses.
Phase I-General Admission
Spaces in the Dental Assisting program are limited. It is a selective program where students compete academically for a seat in the program. To be considered, a student must first complete the admission steps listed below.
- Complete an ACC Admission application
- High School Transcript or equivalent
- Official transcripts of all post secondary education
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 on previous college work
- Attend a mandatory Dental Assisting information session. Refer to the Dental Assisting page on the ACC College website to reserve a seat.
Students who are admitted to the Dental Assisting program must follow the semester-by-semester curriculum plan. Reference the day and evening curriculum plans on the following pages. After attending the mandatory Dental Assisting information session, students will meet with a Health Science Advisor for their initial advising appointment to review the admission requirements and to develop an academic plan. For more specifics on admissions criteria contact the department head or the Student Success office.
Phase II-Ranking/Selective Process
In order to academically compete for a seat in the Dental Assisting program, a student must complete the Dental Assisting Selective Admission Application. This application will be made available at the front desk in the Admissions Office after November 1 for the January 31 Dental Assisting application deadline. All minimum requirements listed in Phase I must be successfully completed before a student can apply and compete for a seat in the program. The details of this process and the criteria used to rank a student will be covered in detail at the mandatory Dental Assisting information session.
Please note that high school students seeking admission must meet the same criteria as a non-high school student.
Progression/Readmission
Specific progressions and re-admission criteria are in the Dental Assisting Program handbook that will be given to students upon entry into the program. For questions contact the department head or admissions coordinator. Students must complete all Dental Assisting (DEN) coursework with a grade of “C” or better and satisfactorily complete all skills to remain in the program.
NOTE: Both day and evening curriculum plans may contain hybrid or online courses. Students must have access to a computer with internet service to meet course requirements.
Clinical sites may require a criminal records check, drug testing or other requirements before students are allowed to participate at their facility.
Technical Standards
Students entering the program must meet specific emotional, behavioral, physical, and cognitive standards. This information is found in the admissions office and in the program handbook.
Students qualifying for special accommodations to these standards must contact the Disability Services Coordinator at 336-506-4130 for more information.
*Core major courses or any course with a DEN prefix can only be taken by students currently enrolled in the Dental Assisting Program.
Additional Program Costs
The Dental Assisting curriculum has additional costs associated with it. Students who enroll in this program are required to pay for such items as certification exams, achievement tests, uniforms, supplies, and the like. Many of these are required as part of the curriculum, but are not provided by the College. Additional expenses required for this program are listed below with approximate costs.
- Textbooks-$500
- Uniforms and shoes-$250
- Supplies-$250-$300
- Hepatitis vaccine-$200
- TB skin test-$75
- Flu shot-$75
- HBV titer-$97
- Criminal background check-$85
- Liability insurance-$16
- Dental Assisting National Board Exam (optional)-$450
- Trajecsys - $150
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