Welcome
The profession of dental assisting is so exciting right now, as we are in the process of making historical changes in the State of Nebraska. Dental assistants play a dynamic role in dental offices and clinics. Here at SCC, our program goal is to get you ready to be a productive dental assistant. Students interested in a career as a dental assistant should take courses in biology, anatomy, chemistry, health, nutrition, and computer skills.
You're a Good Fit for this program because . . .
Overview
The Dental Assisting program at SCC is a full-time program that is completed in four-quarters (12-months). It is offered both “face-to-face” (traditional) or online. This program provides opportunities to develop specialized skills in dental health education, chair-side assisting skills, various laboratory procedures, coronal polishing, radiation exposure and processing, business office procedures and management and over 300 hours of clinical experience. The clinical experience is obtained at pre-approved dental offices and clinics, and a planned course of study that enhances the delivery of quality dental health care to the general public.
Our program is comprised of classroom, laboratory and pre-clinical instruction covering dental assisting skills and related theory. The students are taught duties that are regulated by the State of Nebraska and within the Dental Practice Act. All graduates from the program are eligible to take the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam. This exam is recognized by the American Dental Association, and facilitated through the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (danb.org).
Southeast Community College is a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution.
As a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution, we are unable to offer online or distance courses to students in the following states/areas: California, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Florida, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wisconsin. Although not a SARA school, Connecticut does allow SCC to offer 100 percent online courses and programs.
Mission
The primary mission of the Dental Assisting program is to meet a community need by preparing dental assistants committed to applying learned skills that they can utilize in a professional and ethical environment, which include legal boundaries of a diverse community.
The Dental Assisting Program at SCC, is accredited by the American Dental Association - Commission on Dental Accreditation (ADA-CODA) 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.
ADA - CODA
211 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-440-4653
http://www.ada.org/en/coda
Program Outcomes
Employment Outlook
Employment is expected to grow 29 percent through 2016, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. In fact, dental assistants are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations during the 2006-16 projection period. Population growth, greater retention of natural teeth by middle-aged and older people, and an increased focus on preventative dental care for younger generations will fuel demand for dental services. Older dentists, who have been less likely to employ assistants or have employed fewer, are leaving the occupation and will be replaced by recent graduates, who are more likely to use one or more assistants.
In addition, as dentists' workloads increase, they are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks, so that they may devote their own time to more complex procedures. Job prospects for dental assistants should be excellent. In addition to job openings due to employment growth, numerous job openings will arise out of the need to replace assistants who transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave for other reasons. Many opportunities for entry-level positions offer on-the-job training, but some dentists prefer to hire experienced assistants or those who have completed a dental-assisting program. SCC graduates report an hourly wage around $15.
View Gainful Employment Information for this Program of Study.
Starting Terms
Fall Quarter (October) – Traditional and Online, Spring Quarter (April) – Traditional only.GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS- Take PSYC-1250 or PSYC-1810;
- Speech 1090 or Spch 1110 or Spch 2810
- Take FSDT-1350
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
Submit to Admissions:- 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
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.
Welcome
The profession of dental assisting is so exciting right now, as we are in the process of making historical changes in the State of Nebraska. Dental assistants play a dynamic role in dental offices and clinics. Here at SCC, our program goal is to get you ready to be a productive dental assistant. Students interested in a career as a dental assistant should take courses in biology, anatomy, chemistry, health, nutrition, and computer skills.
You're a Good Fit for this program because . . .
Overview
The Dental Assisting program at SCC is a full-time program that is completed in four-quarters (12-months). It is offered both “face-to-face” (traditional) or online. This program provides opportunities to develop specialized skills in dental health education, chair-side assisting skills, various laboratory procedures, coronal polishing, radiation exposure and processing, business office procedures and management and over 300 hours of clinical experience. The clinical experience is obtained at pre-approved dental offices and clinics, and a planned course of study that enhances the delivery of quality dental health care to the general public.
Our program is comprised of classroom, laboratory and pre-clinical instruction covering dental assisting skills and related theory. The students are taught duties that are regulated by the State of Nebraska and within the Dental Practice Act. All graduates from the program are eligible to take the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam. This exam is recognized by the American Dental Association, and facilitated through the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (danb.org).
Southeast Community College is a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution.
As a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution, we are unable to offer online or distance courses to students in the following states/areas: California, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Florida, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wisconsin. Although not a SARA school, Connecticut does allow SCC to offer 100 percent online courses and programs.
Mission
The primary mission of the Dental Assisting program is to meet a community need by preparing dental assistants committed to applying learned skills that they can utilize in a professional and ethical environment, which include legal boundaries of a diverse community.
The Dental Assisting Program at SCC, is accredited by the American Dental Association - Commission on Dental Accreditation (ADA-CODA) 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.
ADA - CODA
211 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-440-4653
http://www.ada.org/en/coda
Program Outcomes
Employment Outlook
Employment is expected to grow 29 percent through 2016, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. In fact, dental assistants are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations during the 2006-16 projection period. Population growth, greater retention of natural teeth by middle-aged and older people, and an increased focus on preventative dental care for younger generations will fuel demand for dental services. Older dentists, who have been less likely to employ assistants or have employed fewer, are leaving the occupation and will be replaced by recent graduates, who are more likely to use one or more assistants.
In addition, as dentists' workloads increase, they are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks, so that they may devote their own time to more complex procedures. Job prospects for dental assistants should be excellent. In addition to job openings due to employment growth, numerous job openings will arise out of the need to replace assistants who transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave for other reasons. Many opportunities for entry-level positions offer on-the-job training, but some dentists prefer to hire experienced assistants or those who have completed a dental-assisting program. SCC graduates report an hourly wage around $15.
View Gainful Employment Information for this Program of Study.
Starting Terms
Fall Quarter (October) – Traditional and Online, Spring Quarter (April) – Traditional only.Take PSYC-1250 or PSYC-1810;
Speech 1090 or Spch 1110 or Spch 2810
Take FSDT-1350
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
Submit to Admissions:- 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
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.