General Admission Requirements: Applicant selection into the Dental Assisting Program is selective and competitive. Twelve students are admitted annually. For more information on the application process, students should visit the department website at http://www.germanna.edu/academics_and_student_services/academics/programs/certificate_ Programs/dental-assisting.asp or call the department office at (540) 423-9823 or (540) 423-9833. Unless otherwise specified, applicants must meet all of the following requirements to be admitted to Dental Assisting Program: Be admitted to Germanna Community College Students must have a high school diploma or GED. MTE 1-2 or appropriate placement scores within five years. A 2.0 average in academic work is necessary for consideration. Applicants must attend a dental assisting program informational meeting with a dental faculty advisor. Applications, including official transcripts of all secondary and postsecondary courses, must be received by the Admissions and Records Office. Requirements for admission into the dental assisting program are specific and admission is selective and competitive. If there are more qualified applicants than space available for offer of admission, the applicants with the highest HOBET exam scores, GPA, and number of credits completed toward the Certificate in Dental Assisting will receive priority consideration for offer of admission. Answers to short essay questions and 2 letters of recommendation will also be considered. If the number of applicants exceeds the enrollment space available in the program, some applicants may not be accepted even if the minimum requirements for admission are met. Applicants will be expected to have earned a C or better in all general education courses in the Certificate program. Applications for the Certificate in Dental Assisting program are due by October 1 each year. The expected time it will take a student to earn the certificate may exceed one academic year. Prospective applicants without previous college courses completed should contact the Counseling Office to begin taking pre-dental assisting courses. A current working knowledge of the basic computer use and the principles of biology, math, and chemistry is expected. In all dental assisting courses, math, science, and computer literacy courses should have been successfully completed within the previous five years. Deficiencies may be corrected through appropriate courses at Germanna prior to admission to the program. The Virginia Board of Dentistry may deny any applicant for licensure if the applicant has willfully committed a felony/misdemeanor under laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia or of the United States.
Selected learning experiences will be provided in a number of health agencies located within the geographical area served by the College, such as private dental offices, schools, and other community health settings. Germanna Community College s Dental Assisting Training Clinic complies with current infection control guidelines that are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). If you are interested in a hard copy of the policies, please contact Misty L. Mesimer at 540-423- 9823 or mmesimer@germanna.edu and a copy will be provided to you. It is strongly recommended due to the nature of the dental assisting profession and related occupational hazards that students maintain health insurance. The college is not responsible for any health care expenses that may occur as a result of an occupational injury or hazard. Prior to the onset of clinical experiences, the dental assisting student must provide documentation of: o Certification of cardiopulmonary resuscitation for health care professionals. o Rubella/rubeola vaccines or titer. o Hepatitis B vaccines or waiver. o Tuberculosis antibody status. o Chickenpox vaccine or titer. o Urine drug screen. o Other mandatory clinical facility requirements such as criminal history report. o Physical and dental examinations will be required upon accepting admission to the dental assisting program. When a student progresses within a health care program, the student is accountable for providing documentation of completed Hepatitis B series vaccination, current CPR, liability insurance and an annual PPD. All transferring and/or readmitted students must provide current copies of all credentials. Students will be totally responsible for transportation to and from the College and health agencies utilized for clinical experiences. Information on scholarships and financial assistance is available in the Financial Aid Office. Students may take NAS 161/162 in place of NAS 150. Additional Admission Recommendations: 1. It is recommended that students pass NAS 150, Human Biology, 3 credits, ENG 111, College Composition, and SDV 101, Orientation to Health Care with a grade of C or better prior to being admitted to the program. 2. Students may be required to repeat courses or to complete evaluative testing for credits earned more than ten years ago.
Name: Last First MI Student ID: Address: Phone: ( ) /( ) Daytime Evening Email: @email.vccs.edu Resident County: Verification of Attendance at Information Session: Date Misty L. Mesimer Please complete the attached short essay questions and submit your letters of recommendation in sealed envelopes between September 1, 2014 and October 1, 2014 to Misty L. Mesimer, RDH, MSCH, CDA, Dental Assisting Program Director at the Locust Grove Campus. Applications should be submitted as a packet/portfolio. All credentials should be submitted at one time. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
1. What attracts you to the Dental Assisting Profession? 2. A doctor asks you to perform a task related to patient care that you know is not within your knowledge, skills, and abilities. How will you handle this situation? Please explain your patient interaction, doctor interactions, and interactions with other staff.
3. What makes you the strongest candidate for the Dental Assisting Program? Your answer should include your personal attributes, ways/methods that have prepared you for the program and an applicable transferrable skills. 4. What do you feel will be your greatest challenge(s) in the Dental Assisting Program and in your career as a dental assistant?
Germanna Community College students pursue academics with honesty, integrity, and respect for themselves, fellow students, and the College Community. I,, certify that this application is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I have not received any assistance in the completion of this application and all thoughts reflected in the essay questions are my own and appropriate citations are made if and when ideas from other sources are used.. Student Signature Date