Dental Assisting
The American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation accredits Wayne County Community College’s Dental Assisting Program. This specialized accrediting body is recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation and 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 Assistant profession continues to grow with that progression, and 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 Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs). They are also eligible to take the State of Michigan’s Registered Dental Assistant Examination to become licensed Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs). Students will also become radiology certified once a course and lab are 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.
Admissions, Accreditation & Curriculum Overview
Successful completion of the following requirements is required for eligibility and acceptance into the program. The Professional Track program is 48 total credit hours.
- Eligible applicants must meet with the Dental Program Dean prior to the application completion deadline, which is May 15th of each year.
- Admission to Wayne County Community College District and declare intent to enter the dental assisting program. See the current college catalog for specific college admissions procedures, which include providing a high school transcript or G.E.D. and any related college transfer transcripts. Demonstrate reading comprehension at the freshman level via the ACCUPLACER Test.
- Demonstrate successful completion of the required pre-requisite course ENG 119 with a “C” or better or score 276 or higher on the ACCUPLACER Test in the reading comprehension component.
- Transfer credit for ENG 119 must be from an accredited institution.
- Completion of a current (between January 1st and May 15th of application year) WCCCD Allied Health Application by May 15th.
- Completion of a current (between January 1st and May 15th of application year) and acceptable criminal background check by May 15th. The purpose is for identifying any student who could not continue in the program due to a felony conviction (within the last 15 years) or misdemeanor conviction (within the last 1, 3, 5 or 10 years) in accordance with State statutes and laws it applies too. Students will be required to have an additional criminal background check at the time of application for licensure as required by the board of Dentistry. The cost of the criminal background check is the responsibility of the student.
- Submission of 2 current (between January 1st and May 15th of application year) letters of recommendation in sealed/signed envelopes.
- Following acceptance, documentation of a physical exam with required immunizations prior to entry is required.
The Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and by the United States
Department of Education. The mailing address and other contact information, listed below:
American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Telephone: U.S. 312-440-4653
E-mail: accreditation@ada.org
National and State Board Examinations/Licensure
Graduates from this program are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Examination and the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Examination. These exams are not required by Michigan for licensing to practice as a dental assistant, but is highly\ recommended because it enhances your credentials, increases job opportunities, and displays your commitment to the dental assisting profession.
Dental Assisting Program Related Links
Occupational Outlook Handbook
United States Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm
American Dental Assistants Association
180 Admiral Cochrane Drive, Suite 370
Annapolis, MD 21401
https://www.adaausa.org
Michigan Dental Assistant's Association
P.O. Box 118
Lennon,MI 48449
http://www.midaa.org
Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association
http://www.ada.org
The Wayne County Community College District Dental Assisting Program provides students with the knowledge and hands-on training needed to succeed in a fast-paced dental healthcare environment. Through a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and real-world experience in our on-campus dental clinic, students develop the clinical and administrative skills required to assist dentists in providing quality patient care. Our program prepares graduates for national and state certification exams, which includes the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam and Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam, and offers pathways to rewarding careers in private dental offices, specialty clinics, and public health settings.
Some of the key tasks students learn include:
Clinical Skills:
- Chairside assisting during dental procedures
- Sterilization and disinfection of instruments and equipment
- Taking digital X-rays (radiography)
- Taking impressions of teeth for study models
- Preparing and mixing dental materials (cements, impressions, fillings)
- Providing pre and post-operative care instructions to patients
Administrative Skills:
- Scheduling patient appointments and managing records
- Maintaining patient confidentiality (HIPAA compliance)
- Ordering and managing dental office supplies
Preventive & Patient Care Skills:
- Educating patients on oral hygiene and preventive care
- Applying fluoride treatments and sealants (according to state regulations)
- Assisting with dental charting and treatment planning
With this comprehensive training and certification preparation, our students are equipped to begin their careers as skilled, confident, and in-demand dental assistants.
Sonya Taylor, RDH, BS, CDA, RDA
Associate Dean of Health Sciences/Dental Assisting
Email: staylor2@wcccd.edu
Phone: (313) 943-4009
We look forward to sharing information with you regarding the Dental Assisting program.
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.
