Dental Assisting A.A.S. Degree

Career Description: Given the increasing demands for dental care, dental practices are designed for a dental team approved for the delivery of dental care. An exciting and challenging career awaits you as a professional dental assistant. A career in dental assisting offers variety, job satisfaction, opportunity for service, and financial reward.

Program Information: The Dental Assisting Program is designed to educate students on ways to control and prevent dental disease as well as teach patients preventive dental care. Training is provided in chairside skills and MN State expanded functions. There are three semesters. Fall and Spring are on-campus and the nine-week Summer session provides internships off-campus in dental facilities and private dental practices. This education prepares the student to take national and state written examinations required for certification and registration as a dental assistant. A certified registered dental assistant becomes a member of the dental team.

Program Outcomes:
Graduates will be able to:

• Perform chair side procedures in a clinical setting;
• Apply infection control, biohazards and treatment area practices;
• Perform dental office procedures;
• Perform radiographic and radiation safety procedures;
• Communicate professionally with patients, peers, and members of the dental health team; and
• Model professionalism through continuing education and membership in the American Dental Assistants Association.

Special Program Requirements:

• The curriculum in the dental assisting program may expose students to hazardous materials, radiation and/or infectious diseases. Students will be provided with information through education and program policies to protect themselves and their patients from harm. Students will be expected to utilize appropriate safety precautions in the classroom, laboratory and clinic. Program policies are available upon request.
• Minnesota Board of Dentistry will only accept American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR or American Red Cross Professionals Rescuer CPR. CPR must remain current while enrolled through August of the graduating year. 8 hours of dental clinical observation must be completed by October 1st.

• Accuplacer Reading score of 56 or equivalent prerequisites are required for admission into the program.
• All applications for initial license to the Minnesota Board of Dentistry that are received on or after May 1, 2015 will require a criminal background check.
• In addition, students must meet the following conditions in order to graduate:

• College Cumulative GPA Requirement: The cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted and completed at CLC must be at least 2.0;
• College Technical Core GPA Requirement: The cumulative GPA of credits in the technical core or degree must be at least 2.0; and
• Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College.

Accreditation: Accredited by the American Dental Association since May 1967.

Admissions: Accuplacer Reading score of 56 or equivalent prerequisites are required for admission into the program. Progression through the program is sequential. Admission date is Fall semester. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED.

Transfer Opportunities: Some courses within the program may be used as elective credits toward an A.A. degree.

Career Opportunities: The career outlook for certified and registered dental assistants in Minnesota continues to grow due to the increased demand for dental care. The majority of graduates are employed as clinical assistants, and Minnesota requires specialized credentials as an employment criteria. There is a great deal of stability and employment security for the individual who becomes a dental assistant.

Career Titles: This program will help students prepare for a wide range of dental assisting careers, including chairside dental assistant in general/specialty practices, expanded-functions dental assistant, administrative business assistant, dental sales personnel, sterilization assistant, and dental insurance personnel.