Program Admission
Submit to Admissions:- Application to SCC for the Dental Assisting Program.
- Transcripts from High School, GED or other colleges (if applicable).
- Appropriate math and writing course placement scores.
- 2.5 cumulative GPA.
Application periods:
Spring: September 1 to October 15. Notification of acceptance will be on or after November 15.
Fall: March 1 to April 15. Notification of acceptance will be on or after May 15.
Special Dental Assisting Program requirements:
Submit the following items to the Health Sciences Division Office in B-4 prior to starting the program.
- Completed Health Statement.
- Completed Two-step skin test for tuberculosis verification.
- Proof of current CPR certification by American Heart Association for “Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider” or American Red Cross “Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider”.
- Current Dental Prophylaxis (teeth cleaning).
- Review Essential Functions.
- Health Insurance Policy Coverage (recommended).
Student Responsibilities DURING the Dental Assisting Program:
- Annual Flu vaccination by assigned due date.
- Drug and alcohol testing requirement successfully completed when requested by the program. Contact the Dean of Health Sciences (402-437-2729) for further details or specific questions.
- Successful completion of a Criminal Background Check, including the Nebraska adult and child abuse registries (CBC executed by SCC before starting the program). Contact the Dean of Health Sciences (402-437-2729) for further details or specific questions.
- Minimum 2.5 GPA (Accumulative) to graduate.
- Complete all Dental Assisting courses with a minimum grade of 75% (C+).
- Possess computer skills and have Internet access.
- Know and comply with the rules and regulations contained within the program’s and College’s Student Handbook.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding health and personal information of patient and abide by HIPAA guidelines.
- Demonstrate proficiency in all technical and critical-thinking skills necessary for a dental assistants and maintain appropriate professional conduct at all times during clinical and didactic courses.
Important Information:
Program Summary
This is a one-year program comprised of clinical and didactic courses. Students are admitted in Fall and Spring terms. The program is offered only traditionally (clinicals performed in Lincoln; didactic courses offered in classroom).
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 with a variety of laboratory and office duties. Dental assistants work alongside a dentist to provide a large variety of dental treatments to patients. With the proper education and training, dental assistants can complete delegated reversible tasks independently, with the dentist on site. Dental assistants learn 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.
Students perform approximately 15-20 hours of clinical per week at a pre-approved clinical site. Clinical hours are mainly daytime between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., however, there are some evening and early mornings.
Student Responsibilities in the Program
Important: Upon completing the program, students are eligible to take the Certified Dental Assistant examination offered by the Dental Assistant National Board, . If you have a felony or misdemeanor in your background, you may be ineligible to take the national board. Individuals who have been convicted of, or plead guilty to a crime, may file a pre-application with the DANB to obtain a ruling on the impact of their eligibility for examination (there is a fee for this). You can obtain information about the pre-application on the DANB website.