Our first class graduated in May, 1998. Twelve to fourteen students are admitted to the program. The on campus Dental Assisting is an American Dental Association accredited program.

Admissions Requirements

To be a qualified applicant, the following entrance requirements for Dental Assisting must be met:

• High School Diploma or GED
  
• Completed physical
  
• ESOL and Transitional Studies courses completed prior to matriculation into the program

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On-Line Dental Assisting Program

Monroe Community College and the SUNY (State University of New York) Learning Network are offering a program of courses to meet the education requirements of New York State licensure through on-line computer courses. This innovative program is designed to meet the needs of practicing dental assistants who may not have access to a traditional on-campus program.

The SUNY Learning Network is an Internet-based delivery system. Lecture material and course content are offered entirely on-line by computer. Laboratory and clinical experience are monitored by the sponsoring dentist who employs the student. In combination, the student is able to fulfill all the requirements necessary for licensure for New York State.

Monroe Community College's program includes courses in professional dental assisting, clincial content areas, biomedical sciences, and communication skills. The sequence of courses allows students to complete program in varying lengths of time. All courses carry college credit.

Registration in the on-line program allows students to perform supportive services to a dentist in his/her performance of dental services as authorized under New York State Education Law 6608.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program, students must:

1. Have a high school diploma or equivalent
2. Be currently employed as a dental assistant by a dentist who will act as a preceptor
3. Complete an application for admission to MCC and submit the $20 application fee
4. Complete a Preceptor Packet (.pdf format)
5. Have access to a computer and the Internet

For an application, contact the MCC Admissions Office at 292-2000, or apply on-line at the MCC website: www.monroecc.edu

Requirements for Successful Completion of the Online Dental Assistant Program

• 200 hours of clinical experience during the program
• Successful completion of each course

Verification of Course Work for State Licensure

• Upon successful completion of the program, MCC will issue you a transcript for submission with your licensure application

These are the functions that licensed New York State Certified Dental Assistants can perform under New York State Education Law, section 6608:

• providing patient education,
• taking preliminary medical histories and vital signs to be reviewed by the dentist,
• placing and removing rubber dams,
• selecting and prefitting provisional crowns,
• selecting and prefitting orthodontic bands,
• removing orthodontic arch wires and ligature ties,
• placing and removing matrix bands, taking impressions for study casts or diagnostic casts,
• removing periodontal dressing and removing suture materials and such other dental supportive services authorized in regulations promulgated by the commissioner.

Program Curriculum

• Enrollment in classes is limited to ensure the best instructor/student ratio
• Advance registration is required; waiting lists are maintained for each course.
• Please consult the descriptions below and semester schedule in planning your program of study.

BOOK ORDERS

There is an additional charge for textbooks needed for each course. The textbooks may be purchased through the SUNY Learning Network (SLN) as directed on the Web site or you may purchase required books at your local bookstore.

For more information, contact us!

David Lawrence, Program Director - 292-2761
Maureen Tompkins, Secretary - 292-2769
Bobbi Leonard, Dept. Secretary - 292-2038