The Dental Assisting Certificate program prepares graduates to perform a wide range of patient care duties in the dental office. Dental assistants support dentists by obtaining necessary health history information, maintaining patient comfort during examinations, providing necessary instruments and materials to the dentist during surgical procedures, taking radiographs, and casting impressions. The dental assistant manages a variety of office-related duties including scheduling and confirming appointments, updating patient records, generating bills, following third-party payments, and ordering supplies and materials. A significant increase in demand for dental services over the next three to five years suggests strong employment opportunities in this field.
The Curriculum
The curriculum provides students with the theoretical content and pre-clinical and laboratory experiences necessary to develop the competence and ability to make judgments regarding intra-oral, chair-side, and laboratory procedures. Courses in business office procedures and basic computer usage are also included. In addition, students will be required to complete a series of clinical rotations arranged by QCC in a variety of general and specialty dental practices. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to take the Dental Assisting National Board examination in order to achieve the Certified Dental Assistant designation.
Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared to obtain employment as a dental assistant. In addition, students will be prepared to continue their studies at the associate's degree level in such disciplines as allied dental services or dental hygiene. A QPA of 2.0 or above and completion of all clinical hours, competencies, and clinical learning activities/requirements are required for graduation from the program.
More Information
A Health Careers Advising Center has been established to facilitate the entry of students to health care programs. All students applying to the Dental Assistant program can contact the Health Careers Advising Center at 508.854.4308.
A Criminal Offender Records Information (CORI) and Sexual Offender Records Information (SORI) check is required of all students accepted into the program. Finger printing and drug testing may be required.
For career outlook and salary information, visit O*NET Online.
Faculty
- Amy Booth
- Dr. Brandon Cairo
- Jennifer McKeon
- Monique Brooks
- Elaine Trottier
Professional Organizations
- WDDAA - Worcester District Dental Assisting Association
- ADAA - American Dental Assisting Association
Bridge to Dental Hygiene Initiative
Dental Assisting Graduates may be eligible to by-pass the Dental Hygiene wait list if the following criteria are met:
1. Minimum grade point average of 3.3
2. Minimum grades of “B” in all QCC DHY courses
3. Minimum “A-“ in the DAS 151, DAS 153, and DAS 155 courses
4. Two recommendations from QCC DHY core course faculty of which one is from a full-time faculty member
5. BIO 111 and BIO 112 must be completed prior to the start of Fall classes with a passing grade of "C" or better.
6. Current dental hygiene admissions requirements including a minimum "B" grade in Biology and Chemistry. These requirements may be used to determine eligibility if more than two students qualify for admission.
Two seats in the dental hygiene freshmen class will be reserved for currently enrolled dental assistants scheduled to graduate in this current academic year. Students must bridge directly from the Dental Assisting program to the Dental Hygiene program. "Bridge" selection applications may be obtained from the dental assisting program coordinator. Decisions will be made by April 15th each year.