Dental Assisting A.A.S. Degree

Dental Assisting A.A.S. Degree

Program Description

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. Fall and spring semesters are on-campus, and the nine-week summer session provides internships in dental facilities and private dental practices. This education prepares students to take national and state written examinations required for certification and registration as dental assistants. A certified registered dental assistant becomes a member of the dental team.

Delta Dental is committed to increasing students of color and American Indians in the dental assistant field. To learn more about the Delta Dental Diversity Scholarship visit the CLC Foundation webpage at: https://clcmn.academicworks.com/opportunities/6065

CLC ranks among the top Dental Assistant Degree Programs in the U.S. – CLC News

Program Outcomes

By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes:

  • 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.

Career Opportunities

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. This program will prepare students for a wide range of dental assisting careers, including chairside dental assistant in general or specialty practices, expanded-functions dental assistant, administrative business assistant, dental sales personnel, sterilization assistant, and dental insurance personnel. A career in dental assisting offers variety, job satisfaction, opportunity for service, and financial reward.

Program Accreditation

The CLC Dental Assisting program has been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) since 1967. The most recent reauthorization visit was conducted in Fall of 2019.

Program Admission Requirements

  • Reading placement test is required. Admission date is fall semester, and progression through the program is sequential. Per the Commission on Dental Accreditation, students must possess a High School Diploma or GED prior to the fall semester start of the Dental Assisting Program.
  • 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. The CPR requirement must be completed by October 1st. Students that have the required CPR must be current through August of the graduating year.
  • All applications to the Minnesota Board of Dentistry for initial license will require a criminal background check.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to the program requirements, students must meet the following conditions in order to graduate:

  1. College Cumulative GPA Requirement: cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted and completed at CLC must be at least 2.0;
  2. College Technical Core GPA Requirement: cumulative GPA of credits attempted and completed towards the technical core of the diploma or degree must be at least 2.0;
  3. Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College.
  4. 8 hours of dental clinical observation must be completed by October 1st.
  5. Students who apply for the Dental Assisting Program who meet requirements for Admission will be accepted into the Dental Assisting Diploma for their first year with the option of pursuing their Associates in Applied Science (AAS) their second year.

Employment Statistics

For more information regarding employment statistics, career salary information and estimated job growth, follow the resource links below:

https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/ces/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
http://www.iseek.org/jobs/jobmarket.html

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Program Planning Form (pdf)

Program Course Requirements

DENT 1106      Dental Orientation and Anatomy…………… 2 cr
DENT 1108** General Anatomy…………………………………… 2 cr
DENT 1110      Managing Medical Emergencies…………….. 1 cr
DENT 1114      Pathology, Pharmacology, and Law……….. 3 cr
DENT 1116*   Dental Clinic I…………………………………………. 7 cr
DENT 1118      Dental Radiology I………………………………….. 3 cr
DENT 1120      Preventive Dentistry………………………………. 2 cr
DENT 1123*   Dental Clinic II………………………………………… 9 cr
DENT 1124      Biomaterials…………………………………………… 2 cr
DENT 1129*   Dental Radiology II…………………………………. 2 cr
DENT 1132*   Dental Specialties…………………………………… 2 cr
DENT 1133*   Principles of Practice Management
and Communication……………………………… 2 cr
DENT 1150*   Dental Internship (336 Hours)……………….. 7 cr

An A.A.S. degree requires a minimum of 15 credits selected from at least three of the ten goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). Students must include the following course:
ENGL 1410    Composition I (Goal 1) OR
ENGL 1420    Honors Composition I (Goal 1)……………. 4 cr

Select 12 additional credits from Goals 2-10. For students planning to pursue Dental Hygiene, we suggest you choose courses that will meet prerequisite requirements for Dental Hygiene. See an advisor for assistance choosing courses for your targeted program/college. Typical Dental Hygiene course prerequisites may include BIOL 2457 Microbiology, BIOL 2467 Anatomy and Physiology I, BIOL 2468 Anatomy and Physiology II, COMM 1420 Interpersonal Communication, PSYC 2421 General Psychology, or SOCL 1401 Intro to Sociology.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum courses………………. 12 cr

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT – 60 CREDITS
*Denotes Prerequisites
**BIOL 1404 Human Biology (3 credits), or BIOL 2467 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIOL 2468 Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits each) may be substituted for DENT 1108 General Anatomy.

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Program Instructors

Julie Morgan

Dental Assisting Instructor
Phone: 218-855-8225
Katie Thalberg

Katie Thalberg

Dental Assisting Program Director and Instructor
Phone: 218-855-8106
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