NMC Code 300

Dental Assistants are members of a highly qualified health team whose varied duties require knowledge of the basic dental sciences, proficiency in laboratory and clinical skills, and practical experience in meeting patient needs. Both the associate and the certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and approved by the Michigan Board of Dentistry. Completion of the program qualifies students for the state board exam. After passing the exam, they may practice as Registered Dental Assistants. In addition, program completers are eligible for the National Certification Exam, which is recognized nationwide.

Few jobs offer the diversity and flexibility found in dental assisting. While most dental assistants work as chairside or business assistants in general or specialty dental practices such as orthodontics or oral surgery, other career paths include the following: lab technicians, sales representatives in dental supply companies, and as teachers in vocational or college dental auxiliary programs.

Admissions Requirements

Enrollment in any Dental Assistant (HDA) course requires admission to the dental assistant program or approval from the dental assistant program director.

The following are required for admission:

1. High school or college transcript 2.0 minimum GPA, or successful GED completion.
2. Mathematics:  Math competency may be fulfilled by completing MTH 100 Quantitative Literacy with a grade of 2.0 or better, or placement into any math course higher than MTH 100 Quantitative Literacy.
3. Communications: Placement into ENG 111 English Composition/ENG 11 English/Writing Methods or higher.

major requirements

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
General Education Requirements
ENG 111	English Composition	4
ENG 112	English Composition	4
Any Group 1 Humanities Course		3
Math Competency 1
BIO 106	Human Biology	4
PSY 101	Introduction to Psychology	3
Elective Course(s) 100 level or above		3-4
Occupational Specialty Requirements
BUS 155	Interpersonal Communications	3-4
or COM 111	Public Speaking
HAH 120	Infection Control	2
HDA 101	Introduction to Dentistry	2
HDA 102	Introduction to Dentistry Lab	1
HDA 112	Dental Materials	2
HDA 113	Dental Materials Lab	1
HDA 120	Dental Anatomy	3
HDA 140	Oral Pathology/Pharmacology	2
HDA 150	Dental Office Management	2
HDA 160	Dental Emergencies	1
HDA 170	Preventive Dentistry	2
HDA 240	Chairside Procedures	5
HDA 241	Chairside Procedures Lab	2
HDA 242	Dental Radiography	2
HDA 243	Dental Radiography Lab	1.5
HDA 282	CDA/RDA Written Exam Prep	2
HDA 286	RDA Clinical Exam Prep	1
HDA 290	Dental Assistant Internship	6
HPD 110	BLS for Health Care Providers 2,3	0.2
Total Credits		61.7-63.7

¹

Math competency may be fulfilled by completing MTH 100 Quantitative Literacy with a grade of 2.0 or better, or placement into any math course higher than MTH 100 Quantitative Literacy

²

Equivalent classes are AHA or ARC Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers

³

These credits do no count toward degree requirements

Note: A grade of 2.0 or higher is required in HDA and HAH courses.

Placement Requirements

Program admission requires a 2.0 minimum GPA on high school or college transcript, or successful GED completion.
Mathematics: Math competency may be fulfilled by completing MTH 100 Quantitative Literacy with a grade of 2.0 or better, or placement into any math course higher than MTH 100.
Communications: Placement into ENG 111 English Composition/ENG 11 English/Writing Methods

General Education Requirements

The following courses may be taken before entering the program, after completing the program, or in any semester prior to graduation:

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
PSY 101	Introduction to Psychology	3
ENG 111	English Composition	4
ENG 112	English Composition	4
BIO 106	Human Biology	4
BUS 155	Interpersonal Communications	3-4
or COM 111	Public Speaking
Humanities Group I		3
Group I Elective		3-4
Total Credits		24-26

Model Schedule

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Credits
HPD 110	BLS for Health Care Providers (or equivalent)	(0.2)
HAH 120	Infection Control	2
HDA 101	Introduction to Dentistry	2
HDA 102	Introduction to Dentistry Lab	1
HDA 120	Dental Anatomy	3
HDA 150	Dental Office Management	2
HDA 160	Dental Emergencies	1
HDA 242	Dental Radiography (Lecture)	2
HDA 243	Dental Radiography Lab	1.5
	Credits	14.5
Spring
HDA 112	Dental Materials (Lecture)	2
HDA 113	Dental Materials Lab	1
HDA 140	Oral Pathology/Pharmacology	2
HDA 170	Preventive Dentistry	2
HDA 240	Chairside Procedures (Lecture)	5
HDA 241	Chairside Procedures Lab	2
HDA 282	CDA/RDA Written Exam Prep	2
HDA 286	RDA Clinical Exam Prep	1
	Credits	17
Summer
HDA 290	Dental Assistant Internship	6
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	37.5

General Information

• An overall GPA of 2.0 must be maintained throughout the program.
• A 2.0 grade or higher is required in all HDA and HAH classes.