Dental Assisting, Certificate

Become an essential part of a dental care team while building a rewarding career.

This program prepares students for dental assisting positions in a variety of settings such as private dental offices, dental schools, the military, and dental insurance offices. The curriculum includes the required dental radiography courses that allow graduates to expose dental radiographs in the State of Michigan. The program also prepares students for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examination, which leads to the nationally recognized status of a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). As a CDA, graduates assist in the treatment of patients. Graduates of the program are also prepared to take the Michigan State Board of Dentistry examination, which gives recognition as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA). As an RDA in the State of Michigan, graduates can perform specific intra-oral functions generally performed by a dentist. The program is accredited by:

American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Students may enroll in this program in one of two pathways. Pathway I is the format for the student who is not employed in a dental office. Pathway II (ADAEP) is the advanced standing option for the dental assistant with two or more years of experience as a dental assistant who has passed all three portions of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) CDA examination.

Pathway I

This Pathway is for the student with no previous dental experience. Students attend classes in a traditional on-campus setting blended with online components. Students should expect to complete the program in three consecutive semesters.

Pathway II (ADAEP)

This Pathway is for the dental assistant with two or more years of dental assisting experience. The applicant also must be a current Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) meaning that they have passed all three portions of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) CDA exam.

Applicants will receive college credit for passing the DANB CDA examination prior to entry. Students will be required to attend a two-day on-campus workshop at the beginning of the semester. They will then return to their offices to complete assigned class projects under the supervision of their licensed dentist mentor. The two will work as a team to complete clinical validations for the program. Homework, class assignments, lectures, and tests will be completed using the WCC online Blackboard system. Email will enable communication with the WCC course instructor. At the end of the semester, the students will be required to return to campus to complete a clinical final.

Associate in Applied Science in Occupational Studies

Students may also complete an associate degree by using the same core dental assisting courses in addition to completing the general education requirements and electives for an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Occupational Studies.

Next Steps

Apply See Program & Courses in Catalog Request Information

What do Dental Assistants do?

• Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
• Record treatment information in patient records.
• Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.

What skills do Dental Assistants have?

• Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Contact

• Allied Health Department Page
• [email protected]

Questions about applying?

Schedule an Appointment with the Recruitment and Outreach team

How much does it cost?

WCC is consistently rated one of the most affordable colleges in the country. Check out the Tuition Rates and see how WCC compares to peer institutions.