Dental Assisting

Campus Location: Peosta

Program Entry: Enrollment may occur during any term. Fall term is the start of the program course sequence.

Award: Diploma

Description: The Dental Assisting curriculum is career-oriented. It prepares students to assist the dentist in all phases of dentistry. The program includes chairside procedures associated with general and specialty dentistry, radiology, laboratory and business office assistance Clinical experience is an integral part of the educational program with rotations through various dental facilities. After graduation, students have the flexibility of being employable nationwide.

The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) (www.ada.org/code) and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements.” The commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education and can be contacted at 312.440.4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

Upon successful completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the Iowa Dental Board state registration exams to become a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA). Graduates are also eligible to take examinations prepared by the Dental Assisting National Board to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).

Program Admission: In addition to the College enrollment process , applicants must be a high school graduate or equivalent and achieve a minimum ACCUPLACER CLASSIC® reading score of 70 or ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION® reading score of 250. ACT® scores are also acceptable.

Academic Requirements: Students enrolled in health occupations programs must complete all required coursework with a “C-” grade or above and earn a minimum 2.0 grade point average to graduate from the program.

Program Requirements: The College has contracted the services of CastleBranch to review and monitor background checks, health records, training requirements and drug testing. Students will submit the following documentation to their website prior to the designated date:

• Background check - includes a nationwide criminal history search and child, dependent adult and sex offender registry checks. Background checks will be evaluated per the College’s Background Check policy. Clinical participation is dependent on this evaluation.
• Health records - physical and immunizations (MMR, varicella, Hepatitis B, 2 step TB, Tdap and influenza)
• Training - CPR (American Heart Association Health Care Professional BLS or American Red Cross CPR for Healthcare Providers, mandatory reporter of child and dependent adult abuse, and HIPAA training
• Drug testing - prior to clinical participation, random, post incident/accident and suspicion. Students are required to be substance free throughout the program.
• Health insurance - students are required to maintain health insurance throughout the program.

In addition to meeting the above listed requirements, students must maintain these requirements throughout the program. Failure to remain compliant will result in denial for clinical participation. Clinical participation is required for program completion.

Minimum Credits: 45.25