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Health and Public Services

dental assisting students in a classroom

DENTAL ASSISTING

DIPLOMA

The Dental Assisting Curriculum prepares individuals to assist the dentist in delivering dental treatment and to function as integral members of the dental team while performing chairside and related office and laboratory procedures.

 

Course work includes instruction in general studies, biomedical sciences, dental sciences, clinical sciences, and clinical practice. A combination of lecture, laboratory, and clinical experiences provide students with detailed knowledge in infection/hazard control, radiography, dental materials, preventive dentistry, and clinical procedures.

Some of the many expanded functions a DA II can legally perform are: apply sealants, insert matrix bands and wedges, place cavity bases and liners, place and/or remove rubber dams, place and remove temporary restorations, take wax bites, remove sutures, expose radiographs, and perform coronal polish. (Further listing of DA II expanded functions can be found on NC State Board of Dental Examiners website www.ncdentalboard.org.

Graduates may be eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board Examination to become Certified Dental Assistants (CDA).

Progression/Readmission

Specific progressions and re-admission criteria are in the Dental Assisting Program handbook that will be given to students upon entry into the program. For questions contact the department head or admissions coordinator. Students must maintain a minimum grade of “C” and satisfactory completion of all skills to remain in the program.

Clinical sites may require a criminal records check, drug testing or other requirements before students are allowed to participate at their facility.


Technical Standards

Students entering the program must meet specific emotional, behavioral, physical, and cognitive standards. This information is found in the admissions office and in the program handbook.

Students qualifying for special accommodations to these standards must contact the Coordinator for Special Needs and Counseling at 336-506-4130 for more specific information.

*Core major courses or any course with a DEN prefix can only be taken by students currently enrolled in the Dental Assisting Program.


Dental Assisting (Evening Option)

Students admitted in the evening option are subject to the same admission and progression criteria as a day schedule student. This seven-semester option is part time and flexible, but students MUST be able to take the required clinical rotation courses (semesters 6 and 7) during daytime hours. 


Dental Assisting (UNC Option)

Students admitted to the UNC option are subject to the same admissions and progression criteria as all dental assisting cohort students.  This one-year diploma program will begin in January and finish in December. 

Courses for this cohort will be taught on zthe UNC Adams School of Dentistry campus. 


SELECTIVE ADMISSION PROCESS

The following requirements must be completed to be admitted as a Pre-Dental student:


Step #1

Complete an ACC Admission Application - Apply Today!

  • High School Transcript or equivalent
  • Official transcripts of all post-secondary education
  • Minimum GPA of 2.0 on previous college work
  • Placement Testing or approved waiver


Step #2

Attend a mandatory Dental Assisting information session


Step #3

Meet with a health science advisor

 

Step #4

Complete your Dental Assisting Application

 

Students are admitted under the Associate in General Education Degree until they have met admissions requirements and are ready to apply and compete for a seat in the Dental Assisting program. 

In order to academically compete for a seat in the Dental Assisting program, a student must complete the Dental Assisting Selective Admission Application. 

All minimum requirements listed in Phase I must be successfully completed before a student can apply and compete for a seat in the program. The details of this process and the criteria used to rank a student will be covered in detail at the mandatory Dental Assisting information session.

Please note that high school students seeking admission must meet the same criteria as a non-high school student.

Dental Assisting is limited enrollment, which means students must apply for the program. There are specific admission criteria, a separate admission application, and ranking processes that determine who will be admitted to the program.

Students who are admitted to the Dental Assisting program must be full-time students and follow the semester-by-semester curriculum plan. 

 

DEADLINE FOR DENTAL ASSISTING APPLICATIONS

UNC/ACC Application
  Due Oct. 20		 ACC Application
April 4

 

Questions? Contact Us.

Susan Turner
Health Sciences Advisor
sjturner588@alamancecc.edu
336-506-4266

Joanna Roberts
Department Head
Joanna.Roberts@alamancecc.edu
336-506-4153

Kristi Hussey
Coordinator/Instructor
kkhussey478@alamancecc.edu
336-505-4121

Why Wait?

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CODA Accreditation: The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association (ADA), 211 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 1-800-621-8099. www.ada.orgz