Dental Assistant. What You Will Learn. How You Apply. Admission Requirements. The Dental Programs Require That

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1 Dental Assistant What You Will Learn MCTC s Dental Assistant diploma program is a one-year evening program for individuals employed in a dental office who wish to become certified and licensed dental assistants. As part of a dental team, the dental assistant is an important communication link between the dentist and patient. You will need to interact with a wide variety of patients under sometimes stressful situations. The program will increase your knowledge to work chairside with the dentist and his or her patients, perform a variety of patient care functions, provide assistance within the business office, and/or complete laboratory duties. To enter the evening program, you must have a minimum of one year of dental office experience and be presently employed in a dental office or have completed the Dental Office Support certificate program. Your coursework will include basic and dental sciences, dental materials, chairside assisting, radiology, Minnesota expanded functions, and clinical experience. The goal is to ensure you will be an indispensable member of the dental health team. The program s classroom, preclinical and clinical experiences will prepare you to take the Certification Examination offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), the Licensure and the Jurisprudence Examinations offered by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry. The Dental Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, (211 E. Chicago Ave.; Chicago, IL 60611; ), and approved by the Minnesota State Board of Dentistry (University Park Plaza; 2829 University Ave. SE, Suite 450; Minneapolis, MN 55414; ). How You Apply To enroll in this program, students must have a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) diploma, apply for admission and meet minimum program entry requirements. To apply to the Dental Assistant diploma evening program or the Expanded Functions certificate program, students must submit MCTC General Application and Dental Assistant program documents. Students must contact the dental assistant program director at to obtain the required Dental Assistant program documents to verify employment. Students are accepted into the Dental Support Personnel certificate program each semester. (Please note: not all courses are offered each semester.) Students are accepted into the Dental Assistant diploma evening program fall semester only. Students are accepted into the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant certificate program spring semester only. Admission Requirements Students are accepted into the Dental Support Personnel certificate program each semester. (Please note: not all courses are offered each semester.) Students are accepted into the Dental Assistant diploma evening program fall semester only. Students are accepted into the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant certificate program spring semester only. Courses in these programs require achievement of the following minimum placements: The Dental Programs Require That Reading: To enroll in program courses, students must have successfully completed READ 0100 or be declared ready to enroll in READ 0200 or ESOL 0052 on the basis of their reading placement test scores. Students achieve grades of C (2.0) or above in all DNTA theory courses and combined theory/lab courses, and Students achieve Pass (P) grades in lab and clinical/externship courses.

2 Important Information When Considering Application to the Dental Assistant Program The curriculum in the Dental Assistant program may expose students to hazardous materials, radiation and/or infectious diseases. Students will be provided with information through education and program policies to protect themselves and their patients from harm. Students will be expected to utilize appropriate safety precautions in the classroom, laboratory and clinic. Due to the hazards associated with the administration of the Nitrous Oxide, students in their first and second trimester of pregnancy will not be allowed to complete this aspect of the curriculum. For program policies, contact the program director at The students considering entering this field should be aware that individuals with oral and/or facial piercing cannot wear oral or facial jewelry or studs when participating in on-campus lab activities and externships. When performing procedures on peers in the dental clinic, oral and facial jewelry or studs increases the potential for injury and many of the affiliating dental clinics do not permit wearing of oral and facial jewelry or studs while working in the facility as an extern. MCTC is not able to guarantee placement in clinics that will permit wearing of oral and/or facial jewelry or studs, and you should be aware that two satisfactorily completed clinical externships are required to graduate with a Dental Assistant Diploma. Also, some affiliating clinics require that students pass a criminal background check prior to being assigned in their clinic as an extern. Again, MCTC is not able to guarantee placement of students who do not pass the criminal background check, and you should be aware that two satisfactorily completed clinical externships are required to graduate with a Dental Assistant Diploma. For more information about the background study process and disqualifying crimes, contact the Minnesota Department of Human Services, at Awards or Credentials You Could Earn Dental Assistant Diploma 39 credits Dental Office Support Personnel Certificate 17 credits Expanded Functions Certificate 16 credits Where You Could Work Public and/or private dental offices Single or multiple-provider dental clinics General or specialty dental offices Dental laboratory Dental insurance companies Dental supply companies

3 Dental Assistant Diploma 39 Credits Courses in this program require achievement of the following minimum placements: For the evening diploma program (students employed in a dental clinic) the following course sequence is required by the employed evening students to complete the program. First semester courses are only offered during the fall semester, second semester courses are only offered during the spring semester and third semester courses are only offered during the summer semester. Recommended Course Sequence The pathway is meant to guide your course selections. First semester courses will generally be selected with the assistance of a counselor or advisor during orientation. You will meet with your assigned advisor for creating an academic pathway for subsequent semesters. To schedule an appointment, you can stop by the Counseling and Advising Office in T.2500 or call Students must achieve grades of C (2.0) or above in all DNTA theory courses and combined theory/lab courses, and students must achieve Pass (P) grades in lab and clinical/externship courses. DNTA 1101 Introduction to Dental Assisting 3.00 DNTA 1110 Dental Science 3.00 DNTA 1120 Preclinical Dental Assisting 1.00 DNTA 1130 Chairside Dental Assisting DNTA 1140 Chairside Dental Assisting DNTA 1170 Clinical Externship Second Semester TOTAL CREDITS: DNTA 1210 Dental Materials 3.00 DNTA 1250 Radiology DNTA 1260 Dental Assistant Expanded Functions DNTA 1274 Clinical Externship CMST 1010 Or CMST 2012 Interpersonal Communication Intercultural Communication (Recommended or choose one course from MnTC Goal Area 1) 3.00 TOTAL CREDITS: 17.00

4 Third Semester DNTA 1350 Radiology *DNTA 1360 Dental Assistant Expanded Functions 2 *Students in their first or second trimester of pregnancy should contact the program director at prior to registering for this course. General Education Courses (3 Credits) 4.00 TOTAL CREDITS: 7.00 To complete the Dental Assistant Diploma, students are required to successfully complete three credits of General Education coursework from MnTC Goal Area 1. CMST 1010 or CMST 2012 is recommended.

5 Dental Office Support Personnel Certificate 17 Credits The Dental Office Support Personnel certificate is a one-semester program that will prepare you to work in dental offices and clinics providing support to other credentialed dental personnel and/or office staff. This program provides an entry level education that prepares you to safely work within a dental setting. You will support the general office routines with skills in computerized scheduling and basic customer service. You will also be introduced to common dental terms, equipment and health/safety issues, as well as learn skills to support dental office personnel. Upon completion of the certificate, you will be prepared to work in a dental office in a supportive role and/or ladder into the MCTC Dental Assisting diploma courses. Courses in this program require achievement of the following minimum placements: Recommended Course Sequence The pathway is meant to guide your course selections. First semester courses will generally be selected with the assistance of a counselor or advisor during orientation. You will meet with your assigned advisor for creating an academic pathway for subsequent semesters. To schedule an appointment, you can stop by the Counseling and Advising Office in T.2500 or call Fall Start Students who start this program in a fall semester can complete all of the courses in a fall term. HCCC 1010 Behaviors for Success in Healthcare 0.50 HCCC 1020 Communication in Healthcare 1.00 HCCC 1030 Awareness and Sensitivity to Client Needs 0.50 HCCC 1040 Respecting Client and Staff Diversity 0.50 HCCC 1050 Healthcare Safety and Standard Precautions 0.50 HCCC 1060 Legal Issues in Healthcare 0.50 HCCC 1070 Healthcare Ethics 0.50 HCCC 1100 Medical Terminology 1.00 DNTA 1000 Introduction to the Dental Field 2.00 DNTA 1015 Customer Service Skills for the Dental Office 3.00 DNTA 1025 Clinic Support for the Dental Office 2.00 DNTA 1035 Dental Office Support Skills Lab 2.00 CMST 1010 Or CMST 2012 Interpersonal Communication Intercultural Communication 3.00 TOTAL CREDIT: 17.00

6 Spring or Summer Start Students looking to enter during a spring semester or a summer term can take the HCCC courses and the CMST course, prior to the fall semester. Students must register for all four DNTA fall semester. HCCC 1010 Behaviors for Success in Healthcare 0.50 HCCC 1020 Communication in Healthcare 1.00 HCCC 1030 Awareness and Sensitivity to Client Needs 0.50 HCCC 1040 Respecting Client and Staff Diversity 0.50 HCCC 1050 Healthcare Safety and Standard Precautions 0.50 HCCC 1060 Legal Issues in Healthcare 0.50 HCCC 1070 Healthcare Ethics 0.50 HCCC 1100 Medical Terminology 1.00 CMST 1010 Or CMST 2012 Interpersonal Communication Intercultural Communication Second Semester Students must register for all four DNTA fall semester TOTAL CREDIT: 8.00 DNTA 1000 Introduction to the Dental Field 2.00 DNTA 1015 Customer Service Skills for the Dental Office 3.00 DNTA 1025 Clinic Support for the Dental Office 2.00 DNTA 1035 Dental Office Support Skills Lab 2.00 TOTAL CREDIT: 9.00 Note: The courses for students who are transitioning to the dental assistant diploma program are offered during the day. The sequence of courses will differ from the evening course offerings. Students who completed NAHA 1819/1850 in or after 2009, may petition to waive a total of three credits from below: HCCC 1010 (0.5 credits), HCCC 1020 (1 credit), HCCC 1050 (0.5 credits), HCCC 1060 (0.5 credits) and HCCC 1070 (0.5 credits).

7 Dental Assistant Expanded Functions Certificate 16 Credits The Expanded Functions Dental Assistant certificate program is an evening program designed for the employed dental assistant who is currently certified through DANB or has completed an ADA accredited program that did not offer the Minnesota expanded functions. After completing this certificate and passing the Minnesota Licensure Examination, you will be able to provide direct patient care in general or specialty dental offices. The following course sequence is required for completion of this certificate. First semester is only offered during the spring semester and second semester is only offered during the summer semester. Students must contact the Dental Assistant program director at for advising. Courses in these programs require achievement of the following minimum placements: Recommended Course Sequence The pathway is meant to guide your course selections. First semester courses will generally be selected with the assistance of a counselor or advisor during orientation. You will meet with your assigned advisor for creating an academic pathway for subsequent semesters. To schedule an appointment, you can stop by the Counseling and Advising Office in T.2500 or call DNTA 1201 Introduction to Expanded Functions 2.00 DNTA 1250 Radiology DNTA 1260 Dental Assistant Expanded Functions Second Semester TOTAL CREDIT: 9.00 DNTA 1350 Radiology DNTA 1360 Dental Assistant Expanded Functions TOTAL CREDIT: 7.00 Minneapolis Community and Technical College 1501 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Relay Service This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling Disability Services at (voice) or through Minnesota Relay Service at minneapolis.edu MCTC is an equal opportunity educator and employer Member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system