Dental Assisting

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Certificate

Accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association/Lowell Campus - Day, Starts Fall Semester Only

Program Description:

The Dental Assisting Certificate program provides the skills and knowledge necessary to assist at chairside in the dental environment. The program prepares students to perform clinical supportive procedures, some clinical procedures on patients (such as oral health instruction), to perform laboratory procedures, and basic office procedures. Students also gain knowledge into the legal provisions and regulations pertinent to the Massachusetts Dental Practice Act and dental auxiliary utilization. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board exam which awards the credential of Certified Dental Assistant. The program emphasizes hands-on learning in small clinical and lab settings, as well as through the internship experience and Service-Learning activities.

Career and Transfer Outlook:

Typically, graduates find employment in private and group dental practices. Entry-level salary is currently around $16 to $20 an hour. There is a high demand for qualified and credentialed dental assistants. In Massachusetts dental assistants must be certified in radiology in order to take X-rays at their place of employment. Many graduates of the certificate program return to Middlesex and apply all credits previously earned to the associate degree program.

Helpful Hints:

Students should consider taking many of their general education/non-dental courses prior to entry into the Dental Assisting program in the fall.

Standard/Technical Skills Notice: To view a list of standard and/or technical skills required for performing duties in various health career fields, visit the Middlesex Community College Health Division website (www.middlesex.mass.edu) or the Student Information Centers. These skills are not conditions for admission to MCC programs, but do indicate abilities and characteristics necessary for successful completion of college Health programs, and to perform the duties of the career upon graduation.

Required Courses

DAS 100 - Clinical Practicum I 2 *
DAS 101 - Dental Science I 3 *
DAS 102 - Dental Assisting 4 *
DAS 103 - Dental Materials 3 and Procedures*
DAS 150 - Clinical Practicum II 4 *
DAS 151 - Dental Science II 3 *
DAS 152 - Dental Practice Management 2 *
DAS 153 - Preventive Dentistry 3 *
DHY 152 - Dental Radiology 3 *
BIO 105 - Basic Anatomy and Physiology 3
ENG 101 - English Composition I 3
PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology 3

Total Credits: 36

*Special Requirements for Dental Assisting degree and certificate: In order to continue in the Dental Assisting program, students must have a grade of C or better in all dental courses. Additional coursework may be required based upon college placement testing. Students are urged to meet with their academic advisor for proper course sequencing. Science courses being applied to this program must have been completed within 5 years of entering the program. Students enrolled in the Dental Assisting program must demonstrate a satisfactory level of performance in clinical settings in order to remain in the program. See Academic Information for additional information.

Admission Information


Required Course Prerequisites	Required Grade
High school or college general mathematics	C
High school or college biology	C

Required Testing: Current scores on the college placement test that show readiness for ENG 071, MAT 060 and a reading score of 68. Testing must be completed before the Admission Application deadline and within one year of the application deadline.

Required Documents: Admission Application and Dental Assisting Admission Requirements Certification Form

Admission Notes: Preference is given to Massachusetts residents. Currently enrolled MCC students requesting a transfer into Dental Assisting are required to have at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA.

Deadline: Priority consideration is given to applications, including all requirements, received by March 1. Applications received after the deadline date will be considered on a space-available basis.

Requirements After Admission to Dental Assisting:

Students must have transportation available to them for travel to the program’s internships. Submit the Student Health Record form, provided by Middlesex Community College, to the Health Service Office. Required documentation of health status includes a completed physical examination, proof of immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus-diphtheria and Hepatitis B (three-dose vaccine series). Documentation of immune titer for varicella is also required. Earn and submit a current certification in CPR at the Health Care Provider level which is valid for the entire academic year and renewed annually. Students are responsible for purchase of instruments, uniforms and professional textbooks. Students must arrange for a patient to be present for clinical courses when required. In order for a student to be eligible to participate in an academic, community or clinical program that involves potential unsupervised contact with children, the disabled, or the elderly, the student may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and/or a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check. See Admissions for details.