Dental Assisting

Description
This one-year non-accredited dental assisting program prepares graduates for NYS Licensure and entry-level employment within the dental industry. Students are taught to perform chair-side assisting, dental laboratory and office procedures and all delegable expanded functions permitted by the State Education Department. Instruction includes lectures/laboratory coursework, hands-on clinical experience and formal clinical internships.

HYBRID PROGRAM: LECTURE ONLINE, LAB ON CAMPUS, CLINICAL PLACEMENT SITES AT AREA DENTAL PRACTICES AND CLINICS.

Graduates will be eligible to take the DANB New York Professional Dental Assisting exam (NYPDA) offered by the Dental Assisting National Board in addition to the DANB Radiation Health and Safety and Infection Control required for NYS Licensure upon completion of specific courses and the program.

Recommended preparation includes high school chemistry and biology. Admission requirements include CPR for health professionals (adult, child and infant CPR - no on-line courses), and high school diploma or high school equivalency. ESOL and Transitional Studies courses must be completed prior to matriculation.

Admission to this program is conditional upon meeting medical requirements and the ability to meet technical standards (physical demands) of the program.

A minimum grade of C is necessary in all courses, including non-DAS coursework, for continued matriculation and graduation of the program. No student may progress to the next Dental Studies course level without successful completion of all courses in the previous level. A student who fails to achieve the C in the second semester DAS courses will be ineligible for graduation. A student who has been previously enrolled in Dental Studies and earned a grade below passing as described in the note below or a W in the course will not be eligible for admission/re-admission to Dental Studies, unless there are documented extenuating circumstances that warrant consideration. A student who believes that there is an extenuating circumstance should speak with an advisor in the Admissions Office or the Advisement Center. Re-admission of students after an unsuccessful attempt requires permission of the department and is always on a space-available basis. Such an appeal may be made only one time. Dental Studies is a high-demand, competitive program; therefore, re-admission to the Dental Studies program is rare. Any student who is re-admitted to the Dental Studies program and fails to achieve a passing grade (as outlined for that program) a second time is ineligible to continue in the Dental Studies program. Admission/re-admission is always on a space-available basis. Clinical/Laboratory audits are required of all readmitted students.

Students who plan to apply to MCC’s Dental Hygiene program after completing Dental Assisting should speak to their advisor to discuss admission requirements and the application process.

To practice in New York State, MCC Dental Assisting students must pass the New York Professional Dental Assisting, Radiation Health and Safety, and Infection Control exams offered by the Dental Assisting National Board.

Program Learning Outcomes
1 Define body structure and function.
2.Define basic concepts of microbiology pertaining to infection control.
3.Define how basic biomedical nutrition is important for the dental patient.
4.Utilize dental materials effectively while assisting during dental procedures.
5.Utilize dental instruments effectively while assisting during dental procedures.
6.Identify safe dental radiography procedures.
7.Identify basic dental and oral anatomy during dental procedures.
8.Define introductory content in oral histology, embryology, pathology and therapeutics.
9.Perform chairside dental assisting and laboratory procedures when placing and removing temporary restorations.
10.Perform chairside dental assisting and laboratory procedures when placing, condensing, and carving amalgam restorations.
11.Perform chairside dental assisting and laboratory procedures when placing, condensing, and finishing non-metallic restorations.
12.Perform patient education.
13.Perform preventive dentistry.
14.Perform dental radiographic procedures.
15.Perform infection control procedures.
16.Assist in the management of dental and medical emergencies.
17.Complete coursework in oral and written communications and behavioral concepts.
18.Perform such other expanded dental assisting functions and dental supportive services authorized by the dentist and consistent with New York State laws, rules and regulations.
19.Complete the required hours of clinical practice defined in the NYS Dental Practice Act for NYS licensure.

Employment Potential
For related jobs: Career Coach
Occupational Resource: http://www.onetonline.org

Requirements for Program Entrance
Completed physical examination. High school graduate or high school equivalency diploma. CPR certification. The online option is for currently employed Dental Assistants with a sponsoring dentist.

Distribution Requirements	Credit Hours
FIRST SEMESTER
DAS 110 Preclinical Dental Assisting (grade of C or higher required)	4
DAS 111 Dental Radiography for the Dental Assistant (grade of C or higher required)	2
DAS 112 Dental Materials for the Dental Assistant (grade of C or higher required)	2
DAS 113 Infection Control for the Dental Assistant (grade of C or higher required)	1
DAS 114 Biomedical Sciences for Dental Assisting Practice (grade of C or higher required)	3
DAS 115 Orientation to Dental Assisting Clinical Practice (grade of C or higher required)	1
TOTAL	13
SECOND SEMESTER
DAS 120 Clinical Dental Assisting Practice (grade of C or higher required)	4
DAS 123 Specialty Dentistry for the Dental Assistant (grade of C or higher required)	2
ENG 101 College Composition (grade of C or higher required) OR ENG 200 Advanced Composition (grade of C or higher required)	3
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (grade of C or higher required)	3
Total	12
TOTAL CREDITS	25

Revised 11/25/2024