Dental Assistant, Associate in Applied Science Degree
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:
- High school or college transcript 2.0 minimum GPA, 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 Quantitative Literacy.
- Communications: Placement into ENG 111 English Composition or higher.
Major Requirements
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 | 5 |
HPD 110 | BLS for Health Care Providers (or equivalent) | 0.2 |
Total Credits | 60.7-62.7 |
- 1
Note: A 2.0 grade or higher is required in HDA & 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
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 | 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 |
COM 111 | Public Speaking | 4 |
Humanities Group I | 3 | |
Group I Elective | 3-4 | |
Total Credits | 28-29 |
Model Schedule
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 | 5 |
Credits | 5 | |
Total Credits | 36.5 |
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.