Dental Assistant Program Details

Program Details

This program prepares the student to be a member of the dental health team; to assist the dentist in all phases of dentistry, including:

General Dentistry

• Restorative – silver and white fillings
• Preventive – dental cleanings, fluoride treatments

Specialty Dentistry

• Endodontics - root canals
• Pediatric Dentistry – children’s dentistry
• Periodontics – gum diseases
• Oral Surgery – extractions, wisdom teeth
• Orthodontics – braces

What's Included:

• Chairside Procedures - Assisting both dentists and dental hygienists
• Radiology - X-rays
• Laboratory - Impressions, study models, bleaching trays
• Business Office - Dental software, common practices
• Community Health Education - One presentation in community 

About the Program

• 12 months for Three terms
  • Fall course load – 18 credit hours
    • (a minimum of 12 is considered full time)
  • Spring course load – 12-18 credit hours
  • Summer course load – 6-9 credit hours
• Lecture
• Hands on labs and clinics
• In-office rotations

Semester 1

• DEA 507 Principles of Dental Assisting
• DEA 253 Dental Science I
• DEA 256 Dental Anatomy
• Dental Materials
  • Lecture - DHY 221
  • Lab - DEA 424
    • Lab A, B, or C
• Dental Radiography
  • Lecture - DHY 161
  • Lab A, B, E, F

Semester 2

• DEA 321 Dental Radiography II
• DEA 591 Dental Assisting Seminar
• DEA 576 Dental Assisting Clinical
• DEA 263 Dental Science II
• DEA 615 Clinical Dental Assisting
• DEA 702 Dental Business 0ffice Procedures
• ENG 105 Composition I **

Summer Semester

• DEA 297: Ethics, Jurisprudence/ Clinical Seminar*
  • One day a week in class (Mondays)
  • *Gen Eds??
    • General Psychology
    • Fundamentals of speech
• DEA 577: Dental Assisting Clinical II
  • Three days a week in clinicals
  • Tuesday/Wednesday/ Thursday

Clinical Experience

• Provided by internships in 5 different dental facilities
• Contracts are required
• Program directed no student preferences unless your personal dentist would like to participate
• Scheduled to insure each student a comprehensive view of dentistry in various settings
  • Private office, hospitals, public health, specialty
  • Broadlawns Medical Center
  • Primary Health Care
  • VA Medical Center
  • Dental Connections

Professionalism Requirements

• Students are expected to have a positive attitude during all rotations and get the most out of each experience
• Not every clinical internship site will be in a setting you want to ultimately work in, but they will provide a valuable experience and make you a well-rounded dental assistant
• Once set and the dental office notified, the rotations cannot be changed

Work Advisory

• Students struggle to meet the demands of the Dental Assisting Program
  • High course load
  • New language/dental terminology
  • Juggling responsibilities/time management
• While in the Dental Assisting Program students should plan on not working at all or a light work schedule
• During Spring and Summer terms, students should not plan to make it to any outside work site before 5:30 pm during their clinical internship assignments.

Graduation

• A student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average throughout this program.
• A grade of “F” in any course will prevent the student from continuing in the program and the course must be repeated.
• Satisfy the requirements of the State of Iowa to be registered with the Iowa Board of Dental Examiners to practice as a Dental Assistant
• Sit for the Dental Assisting National Board Exam​

Additional Information

• Program has strict grooming standards while in any course lab and at all times during clinical internships
• Comply with OSHA and CDC regulations
  • Hair must be secured off of the neck or above the collar
  • No headbands, tiaras or other embellishments allowed
  • You will be putting your fingers in the patient’s mouth
    • Nails must be kept short and clean
    • Nails must not extend past the tip of the finger
    • No nail polish or fake nails allowed!!!
  • No piercings other than single piercing in each ear
  • Jewelry limited to single ¼” simple stud in each ear and watch.
  • NO RINGS allowed.
  • Tattoos must be covered by lab coat or Band-Aids
  • Make up and perfume must be kept to a minimum and be professional
• You will be working closely with classmates as partners.
  • This means you MUST be able to receive all dental treatment you will be learning to perform
  • Inability to do so prevents a classmate from receiving their full educational experience
• Attendance is a REQUIREMENT for SUCCESS!
  • The Dental Assisting Program builds quickly upon itself.
  • Missed classes are missed opportunities for learning that can’t be recaptured.

You will be dealing with diverse patient population groups, personalities and dental needs which can be challenging yet rewarding.

You must:

• have a positive attitude through all adversity
• adapt well to expectations and recommendations
• stay organized communicate well with faculty
• be PROFESSIONAL – you are providing a service in a confidential environment
• open to new experiences, ideas and practices
• Not everyone can do everything well the first time
• Have patience with yourself
• ASK for help when your issue/concern/confusion first begins

Textbooks

New editions of our books arrive in the DMACC bookstore each summer ​

• The list of required books is provided during orientation
• Approximate cost: $1400.00

Used books may be purchased from past students, DMACC bookstore, online, or Textbook Outlet. Be careful to have the appropriate edition

Health Histories: Medical & Dental

• Required to be completed by your physician and dentist. Forms are handed out at orientation.
• Recommended that these be completed prior to Fall semester’s start date (last week of August) 

Immunization Records & Hepatitis B Vaccination

• A requirement for all healthcare givers
• Fee involved – student’s responsibilities
• You must provide proof of vaccinations to this program as they are received.
• It is delivered in 3 vaccinations, several weeks apart
• you must have at least 2 vaccinations before entering clinicals in January.
  • Approximate cost: $200?
• Other required vaccinations or tests: Tuberculosis; Adult Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (Tdap); Varicella; Measles, Mumps Rubella (MMR)
• COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination are not requirements for admittance into the dental assisting or dental hygiene program. However, you may be assigned to an external rotation site that requires these vaccinations.

***DMACC is not required to place students in rotations based upon vaccination status

CPR Certifications

Must be a Basic Life Support class for Healthcare providers​

• Requirement of program
• DMACC offers a class every month
• Can also try
  • Red Cross
  • American Heart Association
  • community education or
  • local Fire department for classes
• Approximate cost: $65-90

Uniforms

• Requirement of the course
• Name tags
• ID Patches
• Protective Eyewear
• Two sets of scrubs
• three lab coats
  • ALL white, closed toe, leather or vinyl tennis/work shoes
  • Can get on sale if you watch throughout the summer
  • Must be worn only in clinic/lab
  • Requirement for class 2nd week of school
• Approximate cost: $300

Other Personal Protective Equipment

Provided by DMACC

• Masks, exam gloves, face shields
• *Utility Gloves
• *Radiology Dosimeters
• *Laundering Lab Coats

*Student responsible for replacement costs, if lost

Other Required Considerations

• Lab fees (minimum $375 dependent on each class)
• Student membership in American Dental Assistant Association ($35)
• Dental Assisting National Board Exam ($410)
• State of Iowa
• Registration fee and exam fees ($60)
• Transportation costs to clinical sites

*Click here for details on approximate costs ​

How Can My Family Help Me?

• Be supportive of you and understand you will be carrying a heavy load.
• Be a patient in the Dental Clinic when you are in need (i.e. radiography & coronal polish).
• Help to secure community education sites if possible.

Registering for Class

• The Academic Advisor will walk you through registration for Fall Courses.
• You may register yourself online for courses in subsequent semesters.
• Lab sizes must be kept equal and of even numbers so there may be some shuffling right at first.​