This one-year dental assisting program prepares graduates for entry-level employment within the dental industry. Students are taught to perform chairside assisting, related 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.

The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611; phone (312)440-4653, and is registered with the State Education Department. Graduates will be eligible to take the National Certification Exam offered by the Dental Assisting National Board or a New York State specific certification exam.

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

Admission to this program is conditional upon meeting medical requirements, clearance of existing problem(s), and ability to meet technical standards (physical demands) 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 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.

Currently enrolled MCC Dental Assisting students who apply for admission into the Dental Hygiene Program will also be given priority as long as they successfully complete the program and receive an "A" in the clinical portion of DAS 120- Basic Clinical Dental Assisting Practice. In addition, those Dental Assisting students who wish to be considered for Dental Hygiene will need to meet the algebra, chemistry, and biology prerequisites as noted on the Dental Hygiene admission information sheet.

(Housed in the Health Professions Department)

Distribution Requirements	Credit Hours
FALL SEMESTER: 17-18 Credit Hours
DEN 111 Dental Radiography I	2
DEN 112 Oral Anatomy and Physiology I	2
DEN 113 Barrier Precautions and Infection Control Measures	1
DEN 211 Dental Materials	2
DAS 110 Preclinical Dental Assisting	4
BIOLOGY ELECTIVE*	3-4
ENG 101 College Composition OR ENG 200 Advanced Composition	3
Total	17-18
SPRING SEMESTER: 13 Credit Hours
DAS 120 Basic Clinical Dental Assisting Practice	5
DEN 121 Dental Radiography II**	2
DAS 227 Dental Specialties Procedures	2
DEN 228 Dental Office Management	1
SPC 144 Communication and Crisis	3
Total	13
TOTAL CREDITS	30-31

* Required Biology courses include: BIO 133, 134, or 142, or their equivalent.
** Students will need to recruit patients to meet requirements.

NOTE TO STUDENTS: To remain in the program students must receive a grade of C or better in all courses prefixed DAS and a grade of C- in all courses prefixed DEN. Students who are considering entering the Dental Hygiene Program must receive a grade of C or better in courses prefixed DEN for the courses to transfer. Didactic and skill testing is necessary in DEN 111 and 211 for on-line students. Once entered into the hygiene program, students will be required to audit DEN 121.