The Dental Assistant program prepares the student, as a member of the dental health team, to assist the dentist in all phases of dentistry. The program includes general and specialty dentistry, chairside procedures, radiology, laboratory and business office assisting.
An integral part of the educational program is clinical experience; this is provided by rotation through various dental facilities.
The Dental Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council of Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.
Note: Criminal background checks will be completed on each student. Criminal convictions or documented history of abuse may delay or prevent students from participating in clinical education experiences. Students unable to participate in clinical education will be unable to complete the Dental Assistant program.
For more information about the Dental Assistant program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/dentalassistant.
Lacoation: Ankeny
Program Entry Requirements
- Complete an application for admission.
- Satisfy the assessment requirement by taking the Reading and English sections of the COMPASS test and:
- Obtain a minimum COMPASS Reading score of 81 or a minimum ACT Reading score of 19.
- Obtain a minimum COMPASS English score of 70 or a minimum ACT Writing score of 19.
- Attend any required information/registration session.
- Keyboard skills of 35 NWPM with no more than five errors is strongly recommended.
- Submit proof of high school graduation or GED prior to enrollment.
- High school biology or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better is required.
Students start Fall semester.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a Dental Assistant diploma, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.
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