Programs of Study

Dental Assisting

Department: Health & Public Services Technologies

For additional information regarding this program,
contact Program Head Linda Kamp
Phone: 704-216-3726 / Email:

Award(s) Offered:
D45240	-	Diploma 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 chairside 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 knowledge in infection/hazard control, radiography, dental materials, preventive dentistry, and clinical procedures.

The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Graduates of ADA accredited dental assisting programs are DA IIs. As a DA II, defined by the Dental Laws of NC, graduates work in dental offices and other related areas.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board to become Certified Dental Assistants.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Click here for Dental Assisting Admissions Checklist

Health Information Session
Part of the admission requirements is attending an information session in your field of interest - *students are required to attend one health information session the year prior to admission*. These are held three times a year; generally in March, June, and September, but times may vary. No appointment is required. The next scheduled sessions are:
Program of Study	Date	Time	Location (North Campus)
Dental Assisting	June 27, 2008	1:00P	Room 604
	October 23, 2008	3:00P	Room 604

The following admission requirements are not eligible for appeal and are subject to change. In addition to the general requirements listed under the Admission Procedure for RCCC, the applicant must complete the following:


1.	Submit an “Application for Admission” form. (See the Admissions website.)

2.	Submit evidence of high school graduation and transcript of grades, or GED scores, and college transcripts if applicable.

3.	Have demonstrated proficiency in writing, reading, and basic numerical skills by COMPASS/ASSET testing or appropriate developmental or appropriate college courses. Placement test scores, remedial coursework, appropriate college coursework (BIO, CIS), must be acquired within five (5) years of the applicant’s date of application for the Dental Assisting Program.

4.	Meet RCCC requirements to take online classes.

	Writing
		Standard score of 42 or higher on the ASSET Writing (or)
		Standard score of 71 or higher on the COMPASS Writing (or)
		Satisfactory completion of ENG 090 (or)
		Satisfactory completion (grade C or higher) of at least one college-level (associate degree or higher) course in English composition (or)
		SAT Writing score of 500 or ACT Writing score of 21 (completed within 5 years of the date of application)

	Reading
		Standard score of 42 or higher on the ASSET Reading Skills (or)
		Standard score of 81 or higher on the COMPASS Reading Comprehensive (or)
		Satisfactory completion (grade C or higher) of a college level (associate degree or higher) course in English composition (or)
		Satisfactory completion of RED 090 (or)
		SAT Reading score of 500 or ACT Reading score of 21 (completed within 5 years of the date of application)

	Math-Numerical Skills
		Standard score of 42 or higher on the ASSET Numerical Skills (or)
		Standard score of 47 or higher on the COMPASS Pre-Algebra (or)
		Satisfactory completion of MAT 060 (or)
		Satisfactory completion (grade C or higher) of at least one college-level (associate degree or higher) math course (or)
		SAT Math score of 500 or ACT Math score of 21 (completed within 5 years of the date of application)

	The applicant is limited to testing twice in a twelve-month period (initial test and one retest). Placement test requirements can be met by successfully completing the remedial courses recommended after COMPASS/ASSET testing. Applicants should check with the Admissions Office if they have any questions related to testing.

5.	Attend a Dental Assisting Information Session with the Dental Assisting faculty. The information session is used to convey information pertaining to goals and expectations of faculty members and students. (FAILURE TO ATTEND WILL DELAY YOUR ADMISSIONS PROCESS.) The following three forms will be made available to you in the Information Session:

	a.	Program Survey

	b.	Statement of Understanding regarding Drug Screening and Criminal Background Check

	c.	Technical Standards

6.	Complete Hepatitis B series, which is a required immunization for Dental Assisting students. This immunization is a series of three injections. Submit documentation when first two injections have been received.

7.	Submit proof of certification in basic life support, CPR, AED at the Health Care Provider level (adult, child, and infant). Certification can be obtained through Continuing Education and must be maintained throughout the DEN course sequence. (Proof is a copy of applicant’s CPR card.)

8.	When items 1-7 have been completed, submit an Interest Form (available in Student Services or at the Dental Assisting Information session, or at the Health Programs website). This Interest Form indicates to Student Services that the applicant wants to be considered for fall admission into the Dental Assisting Program. This form MUST be submitted before your file will be reviewed. The date that you complete items 1-7 is your qualified date. Tentative program selection for the fall semester begins in March of that year and continues until the fall program fills.

9.	When items 1-8 have been met, the Admissions Committee reviews the applicant’s file. Tentative program placement is established and the student will be notified. Full acceptance/admission into the Dental Assisting Program is not granted until the applicant completes the following:

	a.	Criminal Background Report: RCCC Admissions Office will provide you with directives for securing the report.

	b.	Completed physical/dental examination forms (exam within last 6 months), which provide evidence of satisfactory physical, emotional, and mental health. Preadmission drug screening is required. The Program Head of Dental Assisting will handle problematic areas on an individual basis after consulting with clinical affiliates.

	c.	Documentation of Hepatitis B titer must be submitted.

10.	Students who are not placed into the Dental Assiting program for the fall semester must meet admission requirements for the following year and resubmit an Interest Form.

Should an applicant not meet the prerequisites, RCCC provides courses to assist the applicant in meeting the admissions requirements. Upon completion of the requirements, the applicant will be considered for entry into the program if space in the program is available.

The General Occupational Technology Degree (GOT) program offers students enrolled in the Dental Assisting diploma program the opportunity to earn an A.A.S. degree. Students interested in this GOT program should make an appointment with the Director of General Occupational Technology immediately after completing the application and placement testing process in order to avoid taking courses that will not count toward the degree. Students wishing to obtain the GOT degree with a Concentration in Dental Assisting should substitute the following diploma General Education courses:

	ENG 111 and COM 231 should be substituted for ENG 102.

	PSY 150 should be substituted for PSY 118.

	BIO 168, BIO 169, and BIO 275 should be substituted for BIO 106 (Even though BIO 168 will satisfy the Mathematics/Natural Sciences requirement for the GOT program, BIO 169 and BIO 275 are required for students pursuing a Dental Hygiene program at another community college and is also required by the Commission on Dental Accreditation for the Dental Assisting program.)

In addition to these course substitutions, anyone pursuing the GOT degree must select a humanities/fine arts elective.

Pre-dental Hygiene:

Students wishing to enter a dental hygiene program can complete the General Education core requirements at RCCC for transfer. The student MUST contact the hygiene program or programs to acquire a list of the General Education core requirements specific to that program. However, completion of these General Education requirements does NOT assure acceptance into a dental hygiene program. It is the student’s responsibility to apply to the program of his or her choice and to meet specific admission requirements of that college.

Dental Diploma Program (D45240):

			Title	Class	Lab	Clinical	Work Exp.	Credits
Fall Semester
	DEN	100	Basic Orofacial Anatomy	2	0	0	0	2
	DEN	101	Preclinical Procedures	4	6	0	0	7
	DEN	102	Dental Materials	3	4	0	0	5
	DEN	111	Infection/Hazard Control	2	0	0	0	2
	ENG	102	Applied Communications II	3	0	0	0	3
			Total	14	10	0	0	19
Spring Semester
	DEN	103	Dental Sciences	2	0	0	0	2
	DEN	104	Dental Health Education	2	2	0	0	3
	DEN	105	Practice Management	2	0	0	0	2
	DEN	106	Clinical Practice I	1	0	12	0	5
	DEN	112	Dental Radiography	2	3	0	0	3
			Total	9	5	12	0	15
Summer Term
	BIO	106	Intro to Anatomy/Physiology/Microbiology	2	2	0	0	3
	CIS	110	Introduction to Computers	2	2	0	0	3
	DEN	107	Clinical Practice II	1	0	12	0	5
	PSY	118	Interpersonal Psychology	3	0	0	0	3
			Total	8	4	12	0	14
Total Semester Hours Credit (SHC) in Program:								48

This is a Core Course and cannot be substituted.

ENG 111 and COM 231 may be substituted for ENG 102.

PSY 150 may be substituted for PSY 118

BIO 168, BIO 169, and BIO 275 may be substituted for BIO 106