Dental Assisting
The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association accredits Wayne County Community College’s Dental Assisting Program. This specialized accrediting body is recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.
Dental Assistants are an integral part of the dental team. They are tasked with varied responsibilities and are essentially the “backbone” of the team as we progress through the 21st century; the Dental Assisting profession continues to grow with that progression. Dental assistants are forecast to continue to be in great demand.
Upon completing the program, students can take the Dental Assisting National Board Examination to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). In addition, they are eligible to take the State of Michigan’s Registered Dental Assistant Examination to become a licensed Registered Dental Assistant (RDA). Students will also become radiology certified once a radiology course and lab are successfully completed.
You have the opportunity to select employment in:
- A solo dental practice
- A group specialty practice such as:
- Orthodontics
- Endodontics
- Periodontics
- Oral Surgery
- Pedodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Cosmetic
- Research
- Mobile dentistry
- Dental sales
- Hospitals
- Educational facilities
- Large clinical facilities
- Dental insurance companies
- Correctional facilities
- Public Health
- Military
What are the Job Outlook and Responsibilities for Dental Assistants?
Dental assistant employment is projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
Dental assistants are responsible for:
- Preparing patients for dental procedures.
- Assisted dentists in various procedures and managed medical and dental emergencies when necessary.
- Helping with infection control by sterilizing and disinfecting instruments, setting up instrument trays, and preparing materials.
- Educating patients about proper oral health care.
- Recording treatment information.
- Exposing dental X-rays digitally for dental diagnostics and caring for dental X-ray equipment.
- Collecting and recording medical and dental histories and patient vital signs.
- Postoperative instructions should be provided as directed by the dentist.
- Caring for and maintaining dental equipment.
- Preparing preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
- Ordering dental supplies and maintaining dental equipment inventory.
- Fabricating temporary restorations and custom impressions from preliminary impressions.
What Will I Learn as a Dental Assisting Student?
The Dental Assisting College Certificate Program provides students with the necessary training to perform the duties of a dental assistant, including assisting the dentist (chairside), providing patient education, performing laboratory procedures, exposing proficient radiographs, and performing office management tasks. A licensed dental assistant can perform expanded functions as delegated by the State of Michigan. Courses in this program cover various topics such as anatomy, dental radiology, and clinical practice.
Recommended course sequencing
Semester 1 Total: 21 Credits
- DA 104 - Dental Materials 5 Credit(s)
- DA 106 - Dental Applied Sciences and Medical Emergency 4 Credit(s)
- DA 110 - Clinical Dental Assisting 4 Credit(s)
- DA 115 - Infection Control and Preventive Dentistry 2 Credit(s)
- DA 120 - Dental Specialties 2 Credit(s)
- DEN 200 - Dental Radiology Theory 2 Credit(s)
- DEN 201 - Dental Radiology Lab 2 Credit(s)
Semester 2 Total: 19 Credits
- DA 117 - Clinical Practice I 5 Credit(s)
- DA 126 - Pathology, Pharmacology and General Anatomy 3 Credit(s)
- DA 127 - Dental Office Management 2 Credit(s)
- DA 129 - Legal, Ethical and Communication Issues 2 Credit(s)
- DA 203 - Expanded Functions for the Registered Dental Assistant Lecture 3 Credit(s)
- DA 204 - Expanded Functions for the Registered Dental Assistant Lab/Clinic 4 Credit(s)
Certificate Total: 48 Credits
Note: Certificate total hours may not include prerequisites.
** Graduates of high school vocational-technical dental assisting programs and on-the-job trained dental assistants are eligible for advanced credit hours through the Prior Experience and Required Knowledge program (PERK).
Where is WCCCD’s Dental Assisting College Program Offered?
- The Dental Assisting Program is offered at our Northwest Campus. The Northwest Campus also offers classes for other dental-related certificates and degrees. As a WCCCD student, you can take prerequisite courses, use facilities, and get involved at any of our six locations.
It is the policy of WCCCD that no person, based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability, or political affiliation or belief, shall be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in employment or in any program or activity for which it is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
