Purpose
Provide students with the theory, skills, laboratory and clinical experience to perform as dental assistants. Prepare students for employment in dental offices, hospitals, corporations, specialty dental clinics and the public health setting. Prepare students for the Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) Exam.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate workplace readiness skills.
- Obtain first aid and CPR/BLS certification
- Collect and record vital signs
- Assist with oral examinations
- Prepare tray set-ups for oral procedures
- Prepare patients and operatories for dental procedures
- Take radiographic images and chart findings
- Help dentists by transferring instruments during appointments, such as restorations (fillings), crown preparations, tooth extractions, and many other clinical procedures.
- Provide better visibility for dentists by using suction, retractors, and other equipment
- Take impressions and prepare study models
- Assist in maintaining accurate patient treatment records
- Schedule patient appointments and follow-up care
- Assist with patient billing, insurance, and other office tasks
- Protect patients and employees by adhering to infection control policies, OSHA regulations, and protocols
- Maintain basic equipment
- Keep dental and office supply inventories, while also ordering new materials
- Assist with patient emergencies
- Assist dental professionals with patient education activities and community outreach projects
- Assist in procedures by selecting, mixing, or providing needed materials
Employment Opportunities
Job opportunities may include working with other dental health professionals in private dental offices, hospitals, corporations, specialty dental clinics, volunteer dental events, and public health settings.
Program Requirements
An academic advisor will review your preparation in Mathematics and English with you. You’ll be guided to appropriate preliminary coursework to give you the greatest chance of success in this program.
Admission Requirements
Dental Assistant is a competitive admissions program. The deadline to submit a program application to the spring cohort is October 15th. Please visit www.mecc.edu to apply for program admission. Travel to clinical assignments and to the Center for Workforce and innovation in Appalachia (CWIA) is required. The following immunizations, checks, and screenings are also required:
- Proof & record of three Hepatitis B vaccinations OR proof of immunity by titer
- Proof & record of two MMR vaccines OR proof of immunity by titer
- Proof & record of negative TB test (two-step)
- Proof & record of seasonal flu shot (current season)
- Proof & record of two varicella vaccinations OR proof of immunity by titer
- Proof & record of DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccinations OR proof of immunity by titer
- Passing of criminal and sexual background checks and drug screen
- Proof and record of two Hepatitis A vaccinations OR proof of immunity by titer
- The first in the series must be started within the past six months
- Proof and record of current health insurance coverage
- Voluntary disclosure of COVID-19 vaccination status
Apply to the Dental Assistant Program:
Follow this link to apply to the Dental Assistant Program: Dental Assistant Program Applicatiion
Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the application.
Application Deadline is April 15 of each year.
For Further Information, Contact:
Dr. Emily Bowen, DDS, MA, MPH Program Director
ebowen@mecc.edu
276.523.9008
Wes Mullins, MBA, Dean of Health Sciences
jmullins@mecc.edu
276.523.9017
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