Program Requirements (due prior to starting the program)

• Completed Health Statement
• Current Health Care Provider CPR certification
• Current Health Insurance Policy Coverage
• Current Dental Prophylaxis (teeth cleaning)
• Current Two-step TB skin test (valid for one year)

Program Admission

• Application to SCC for the Dental Assisting Program or apply online.
• Transcripts as needed (check with Admissions).
• Submit test scores to determine if COMPASS assessment test is needed.

Students will be placed on the appropriate waiting list and contacted with an anticipated start date upon successful completion of the admission process.

Important Documents

• Dental Assisting Program-Advising Sheet
• Health Statement Letter
• Health Statement
• Essential Functions

Program Summary

The one-year program is comprised of clinical and didactic courses. Students are admitted in Spring and Fall terms. The program is offered traditionally (clinicals performed in Lincoln; didactic courses offered in classroom) OR the online track (clinical performed outside Lincoln; didactic courses offered Web-based). Online track students are required to attend scheduled  labs on Lincoln campus each quarter.

Clinical - Students will use the knowledge learned in the didactic courses, along with skills acquired in lab, to give care to patients at a dental health care facility. Clinical rotations may include private dental offices, University of Nebraska – College of Dentistry, Veteran’s Medical Center- Dental Clinic, Lincoln Lancaster Health Department - Dental Clinic, and People’s Health Center - Dental Clinic.

Students will gain experience in chair-side dental assisting skills, a variety of laboratory and office duties. Dental assistants work alongside a dentist to provide a large variety of dental treatment to patients.  With the proper education and training, dental assistants can complete delegated reversible tasks independently, with the dentist on site. Dental assistants have learned specialized skills that allow them to keep the patient’s mouth clean with a suction device, prepare materials, assist with specialty procedures, coronal polish of the teeth, exposure and process radiographs and many other duties.  Infection control adherence and minor maintenance are major roles of the dental assistant.

Student Responsibilities in the Program

• Minimum 2.5 GPA (Accumulative) to graduate.
• Complete all Dental Assisting courses with a minimum grade of 75% (C+).
• Maintain current Healthcare Provider CPR certification and immunizations (including the flu vaccine.)
• Play an active role in their education process.
• Provide patient care in the practice of dentistry and display compassion, understanding of diversity, respect, and concern for the patient.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding health and personal information of patient and abide by HIPAA guidelines.
• Follow all safety requirements in the didactic and clinical setting.
• Maintain appropriate professional conduct in clinical and didactic settings.
• Possess computer skills and have internet access.
• Know contents of SCC Student Handbook for the Dental Assisting Program and College.
• Online students must attend scheduled Lincoln campus labs each quarter.
• Ability to be responsible and dependable in regards to attendance.
• Physical stamina to tolerate standing and /or sitting for long periods of time.
• Sufficient eyesight to read small print and work with small instruments, supplies and equipment.
• Adequate hearing of sounds such as blood pressure and verbal communication with dental team wearing surgical masks.
• May be necessary to lift 50 pounds of weight, i.e., children, supporting arms or legs of the surgical patient.
• Demonstrate good motor coordination and manual and finger dexterity in handling instruments, supplies and equipment.
• Appearance should be neat and clean, and students should practice good hygiene.
• Ability to organize and plan work in a logical sequence and work at a fast pace.
• Ability to communicate in the English language using appropriate grammar and legible penmanship. No profanity or slang should be used.