Dental Assisting - Certificate

Occupational Title: Dental Assistant
Flanagan Campus, Lincoln only

The primary function of the dental assistant is to assist the dentist. Students in this program attend lecture and laboratory classes and receive actual clinical experience through assignments at a variety of dental healthcare facilities.

This course of study prepares students for the Certified Dental Assistant examination given by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. Students who successfully complete the program are awarded a certificate by the college. Students are responsible for purchasing dental instruments and uniforms, as well as paying fees for the certification exam. Participation in the dental assisting program exposes students to infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens and ionizing radiation.

This program is accreditted by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Technical standards: The physical activity (strength) for dental assistant (079.361-018) is classified as “light” by the Department of Labor in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles

Note: Many courses require prerequisites and/or testing. See course descriptions for details.

CCRI also offers a Dental Hygiene associate degree program, see this page for details.

General Policies

See important general policies in the beginning of this section on the performance-based Health Sciences application process, academic progress, advanced placement, background check, CPR certification, health insurance, health records, reinstatement, transportation, uniforms, and equipment.

Minimum Requirements Needed to Apply to the Dental Assisting

1. CCRI application – Submit a completed CCRI Application for Enrollment. General Studies should be first choice; DENT should be second choice.
2. High school transcript – Send an official copy of a transcript from an accredited high school or GED® certification, including date of graduation, or if the applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university, the high school transcript may be waived; college transcript must indicate completion and degree awarded.
3. CCRI uses a multiple measures approach to determine admission into Health Science programs (For example: High School and GED® transcripts, SAT, ACT, HESI A2 or ACCUPLACER scores). Placement can also be determined by taking college level English and Math courses. Anyone with a degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution may have this requirement waived following submission of the official college transcript. If using ACCUPLACER, the following guidelines are used:
   • Placement testing – Complete a standardized test (ACCUPLACER) issued by CCRI's Advising Center. Students may retake the ACCUPLACER test once before completing any remedial course(s).
     • Reading comprehension test (waived for students with a Bachelor's degree or higher): Score of 80 or above in Classic ACCUPLACER is required in Reading Comprehension or score of 253 or above in Next-Generation Accuplacer is required in Reading Comprehension or students must complete Reading and Study Skills Program (ENGL 1002) with a grade of "B-" or better or Integrated Critical Reading and Writing (ENGL 0950).
     • Math: Demonstrate competency by placing into Foundations of College Mathematics (MATH 0100) with a test score of 65 or above in Classic ACCUPLACER in the arithmetic section or or score of 255 in Next-Generation ACCUPLACER or completion of Foundations of College Mathematics (MATH 0100) with a "C" or better. The entry course for Foundations of College Mathematics (MATH 0100) is Developmental Mathematics Emporium (MATH 0095). The following courses will substitute for Foundations of College Mathematics (MATH 0100): Foundations of College Algebra (MATH 0101), Business Mathematics (MATH 1005), Mathematics of Finance (MATH 1015), Introduction to College Mathematics (MATH 1025), Mathematics for Liberal Arts Students (MATH 1139) or (MATH 1139C), Statistics for the Health and Social Sciences (MATH 1175) or (MATH 1175C), College Algebra (MATH 1200) or (MATH 1200C), Statistical Analysis I (MATH 1240), Quantitative Business Analysis I (MATH 2077), College Trigonometry (MATH 2110), Pre-Calculus Mathematics (MATH 2111), Quantitative Business Analysis II (MATH 2138), Calculus I (MATH 2141), Calculus II (MATH 2142), or Calculus III (MATH 2243).
     • English (writing) test must show readiness to take Composition I (ENGL 1010), or applicant must have completed College Writing (ENGL 1005) with a grade of "C" or better. Composition I for Speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) (ENGL 1300) will not substitute for Composition I (ENGL 1010).
4. Optional: Complete courses required for admission with a grade of "C" or better – Introduction to Dental Health Careers (DENT 1000)
5. GPA – A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better for all college courses taken.
   • All the above requirements must be completed satisfactorily before submission of Performance-Based Health Sciences (PBHS) application and does not guarantee acceptance. Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester offered must resubmit a PBHS application for the program and meet current requirements. Once accepted into the program, the student must attend a mandatory orientation conducted by the Dental Health Department.
6. Health Sciences application – Submit a completed performance-based Health Sciences application including a preadmission degree evaluation. Deadlines are listed on form.
7. BCI – Students are required to submit a background check when directed by notification from One Stop Student Services. Results of BCI may prevent admission due to clinical agencies requirements.

Program Requirements

• A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better is required to proceed in the program.
• General education courses in the Dental Assisting curriculum may be taken prior to the semester recommended. All courses must be completed by the recommended semester.
• Program faculty reserve the right to dismiss any student from the program or to refuse reinstatement based on academic, clinical or professional performance.
• Composition I for Speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) (ENGL 1300) may not be substituted for Composition I (ENGL 1010).
• Human Biology (BIOL 1070) or Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2201) must be completed prior to the second semester.