Accredited by the Commission on Dental Education of the American Dental Association.

The Dental Assistant certificate program provides the general education core, science, and clinical education courses necessary for career-entry preparation. The program is comprised of an academic phase and a clinical practicum in participating dental offices. Following the successful completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the national certification and the state registry examination.

All courses in the Dental Assistant certificate program will articulate into the associate of applied science degree program in Allied Health with a concentration in Dental Assistant.

Admission, Retention, and Graduation Requirements

Admission Requirements (General)

A student desiring to pursue the technical certificate in Dental Assistant must:

1. Apply, meet the general admission requirements and be accepted by Northeast State Technical Community College.
2. Indicate Dental Assistant as the desired major on the Northeast State application form.
3. See a faculty advisor from the Health-Related Professions area prior to registering for classes and obtain faculty approval to register.
4. Complete all required remedial and developmental courses in reading and writing prior to completion of the Dental Assistant Program.

Enrollment Requirements

A student who has completed the above referenced requirements and has maintained an overall 2.0 GPA, excluding remedial and developmental courses, is eligible to enroll in Dental Assistant courses. To enroll in Dental Assistant courses, the student must complete and return to the Dental Assistant Program Director a “Request for Enrollment in the Dental Assistant Program” form. The student should attach to the form a current transcript of all college courses taken.

Enrollment in the Dental Assistant Program

1. Students enrolled in Dental Assistant courses will be endorsed by the Dental Assistant Advisory Committee whose membership consists of:
   1. Division Chair of Health-Related Professions
   2. Program Director of the Dental Assistant program.
   3. Representatives from the local communities of interest.
   4. Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs (ex officio).
2. Students will be evaluated on overall GPA, grades earned in required sciences and prior education.
3. Transfer Students – Individuals who have attended other colleges and desire to transfer into the Northeast State Dental Assistant program will be considered on an individual basis. Transfer requests should be directed to the Division Chair of Health-Related Professions. Transfer students must meet the same standards and criteria as others desiring to pursue a technical certificate in the Dental Assistant program at Northeast State.

Re-enrollment Policies

A student who has been dismissed or has withdrawn from the Dental Assistant program may be re-enrolled. The following apply:

1. Only one re-enrollment to the Dental Assistant program is permitted. This re-enrollment must occur within a one year time frame.
2. A student must apply to the Dental Assistant Program Director for enrollment at least one semester before the desired date of return.
3. A student must request re-enrollment in writing and appear before the Dental Assistant Program Director and Division Chair of Health-Related Professions.
4. A student who fails to maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA may be considered for readmission only after removing all grades of less than a “C” in all required general education courses.
5. A student repeating a Dental Assistant course must repeat both the theory and clinical components of the course.
6. A student may be re-enrolled only if space is available.

Retention

To remain in good standing once enrolled in the Dental Assistant program, the student must:

1. Adhere to all Northeast State, Dental Assistant program, department, and clinical affiliate policies.
2. Maintain a 2.0 GPA or better in each Dental Assistant course.
3. Satisfactorily complete the theory, clinical, and/or skills requirements of each Dental Assistant course. Failure in either segment will result in a grade of “F” for the entire course.
4. Submit to the Dental Assistant Program Director written evidence, on the appropriate form, of a physical examination within the past six months showing the applicant is in good physical health and possesses no physical disabilities which would impede the applicant’s ability to fulfill the functions and responsibilities of the Dental Assistant. Any limitations in the individual’s ability to perform adequately will require additional documentation.
5. Exhibit safe clinical behavior.
6. Demonstrate professional, ethical, and legal conduct.
7. Purchase professional liability insurance ($1,000,000/ $3,000,000).
8. Maintain CPR certification.
9. Sign a statement prior to enrollment indicating he/she is drug free and submit to a drug test if requested by the Division Chair of Health-Related Professions at any time during the program. A positive drug test is grounds for immediate dismissal.
10. Students must comply with policies of clinical affiliates concerning criminal background checks and must assume associated costs.

Graduation

Program graduation requirements include the successful completion of the courses listed below with a minimum grade of “C” in each course.