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Program Details
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Program Details

Certificate in Dental Assistant

Certificate
Mountain Empire Community College

Provide students with the theory, skills, laboratory and clinical experience to perform as dental assistants. Prepare students for employment in dental offices, hospitals, corporations, specialty dental clinics and the public health setting. Prepare students for the Dental Assistant National Board (DANB} Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam, which is recognized by all 50 states as the highest qualification for DAs.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate workplace readiness skills.
2. Obtain first aid and CPR/BLS certification
3. Collect and record vital signs
4. Assist with oral examinations
5. Prepare tray set-ups for oral procedures
6. Prepare patients and operatories for dental procedures
7. Take radiographic images and chart findings
8. Help dentists by transferring instruments during appointments, such as restorations (fillings), crown preparations, tooth extractions, and many other clinical procedures.
9. Provide better visibility for dentists by using suction, retractors, and other equipment
10. Take impressions and prepare study models
11. Assist in maintaining accurate patient treatment records
12. Schedule patient appointments and follow-up care
13. Assist with patient billing, insurance, and other office tasks
14. Protect patients and employees by adhering to infection control policies, OSHA regulations, and protocols
15. Maintain basic equipment
16. Keep dental and office supply inventories, while also ordering new materials
17. Assist with patient emergencies
18. Assist dental professionals with patient education activities and community outreach projects
19. Assist in procedures by selecting, mixing, or providing needed materials


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

An academic advisor will review your preparation in Mathematics and English with you. You’ll be guided to appropriate preliminary coursework to give you the greatest chance of success in this program. Dental Assistant is a competitive admissions program. The deadline to submit a program application to the spring cohort is October 15th. Please visit www.mecc.edu to apply for program admission. Travel to clinical assignments and to the Center for Workforce and innovation in Appalachia (CWIA) is required.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

An academic advisor will review your preparation in Mathematics and English with you. You’ll be guided to appropriate preliminary coursework to give you the greatest chance of success in this program.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Mountain Empire Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses Dental Assistant is a competitive admissions program. The deadline to submit a program application to the spring cohort is October 15th. Please visit www.mecc.edu to apply for program admission. Travel to clinical assignments and to the Center for Workforce and innovation in Appalachia (CWIA) is required.
Doing More With Your Degree Job opportunities may include working with other dental health professionals in private dental offices, hospitals, corporations, specialty dental clinics, volunteer dental events, and public health settings.
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
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The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Certificate in Dental Assistant
45
Certificate in Dental Assistant
45
Course Requirements - 120
45
Core Requirements 120
45
DNA 108
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DNA 135
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
SDV 100
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
DNA 113
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DNA 114
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
SDV 107
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DNA 103
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HLT 100
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
DNA 109
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DNA 110
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HLT 105 & 106
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
DNA 130
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DNA 120
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DNA 190
5
Earn 5 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DNA 140
5
Earn 5 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PSY 230
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PSY 231 & PSY 232
6
Earn 6 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Residency
45
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 33 credits may be applied to this program.
Plan GPA for 120
45
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion The transfer education program, which includes freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional education, allows students to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs and four-year colleges and universities.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School The transfer education program, which includes freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional education, allows students to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs and four-year colleges and universities.
Credit for Prior Learning VCCS Policy 5.6.5.1
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Mountain Empire Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Mountain Empire Community College’s mission is to provide our region with accessible, quality higher education, workforce training, and community programs to ensure an educated population and globally competitive workforce.
Transfer Student Catalog Year
First Year Student Catalog Year The catalog year is based on the admission term that the student applies for.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Northern Virginia Community CollegeDental Hygiene, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Dental HygieneAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Dental HygieneAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
31-9091.00Dental AssistantsPerform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.Healthcare Support Occupations
25-1071.00Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 45 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Certificate in Dental Assistant at Mountain Empire Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 3 semesters or 1.5 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $167 Per Credit $7,515 $0 $7,515
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.
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