Dental Assisting

Susan Brewer, Interim Program Director
256.352.8328
susan.brewer@wallacestate.edu

Associate in Applied Science Degree (4 Semesters)

Certificate (3 Semesters)

At a Glance

A dental assistant helps with the direct care of patients under the supervision of a dentist. Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. They work chair side as dentists examine and treat patients. They make patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair, prepare them for treatment, and obtain their dental records. Assistants hand instruments and materials to dentists and keep patients’ mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices. Assistants also sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare trays of instruments for dental procedures, take impressions and radiographs and instruct patients on post-operative and general oral health care.

Program Description

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be prepared to function as dental assistants in dental offices, hospitals, and clinics. The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation 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. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. Graduates of the program are qualified to take the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board. Students may elect to complete the certificate program in three semesters or the Associate Degree program in four semesters. 

Admission Requirements

       NOTE: It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure that all classes from other institutions have been transferred and to ensure that their application is complete. Admission to the Dental Assisting Program is competitive, and the number of students is limited. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. 

1. Unconditional admission to the college – college application must be submitted by the program application deadline of June 1.
2. Student must be in good standing with the college.
3. Receipt of complete program applications accepted between March 1 and June 1 for Fall entry. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space available basis. 
4. The online application is located at www.wallacestate.edu. Online application instructions are under the Program Application tab. Upon completion of the online application, all applicants are required to submit a General Education Worksheet with all necessary documentation attached. The General Education Worksheet, along with full instructions, can be found in Online Application Instructions. 
5. Official transcripts from each college attended must be provided to the Admissions Office and all unofficial transcripts must be attached to the program application General Education Worksheet.
6. Student must meet the essential functions and technical standards required for the program as documented on the required WSCC physical form at www.wallacestate.edu-see Physical Form Essential Functions. 
7. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age (Alabama Regulations for Control of Radiation Rule 420-3-03 (6), "Occupational Radiation Dose Limits," states that all occupational workers employing ionizing radiation, must be at least 18 years of age).
8. A minimum of 16 ACT composite score (National or Residual) is required for admission consideration. Proof of score must be uploaded to online application.  ACT scores are available on Degree Works reports, transcripts including High School, and through ACT.org. If ordering your score report, please use Code 0083 and allow 4-6 weeks for processing. Wallace will receive your score from ACT and add it on your myWallace account.  To use scores available on ACT.org you will need to print to PDF, we do not accept screenshots. We will accept ACT Superscores from ACT, but not manually calculated ACT Superscores. Higher scores will receive more points in the application process. Scan the document to PDF format and save the file as: your FULL NAME ACT.pdf, you will upload the document to your online application.
9. Be eligible for ENG 101 according to college requirements. Please refer to General Admission section of the catalog or check with your advisor.
10. Possess a 2.3 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Selection and Notification

1. The Dental Assisting Program admits annually each fall semester a maximum of 24 students.
2. Students are selected on the basis of satisfactory completion of admission requirements, ACT score and GPA.
3. Program applications will be reviewed for completion of program admission requirements. Written notification of program acceptance status will be sent to each applicant via information supplied on the program application. 
4. Following acceptance into the program, students must respond confirming their intent to enroll by using the internet link provided on their letter, by the deadline indicated on the letter. A student who fails to respond will forfeit his/her place in the class
5. Candidates are ranked for admission as outlined on the application instructions and general education worksheet. In the event of a tie of ranking score, in order to fill all available seats, the following criteria will be used as the tiebreaker to determine student acceptance into the program: completion of all program general education courses, cumulative GPA, ACT Math subset score, and date application was received. 
6. Students accepted must attend a mandatory orientation session. Failure to do so could result in forfeiture of their place in the class.
7. Due to the number of major required courses taken each semester, it is recommended that students complete as many general required courses as possible before entering the dental assisting program.

Program Expectations

Students admitted into the Dental Assisting program are expected to comply with the Health Science Program Regulations and Expectations as published in the Programs of Study section of the Wallace State College Catalog.

Upon Admission

1. Students accepted into the program must attend the mandatory orientation session. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of their place in the class.  

2. Upon acceptance into the Dental Assisting Program, the student must submit:  

3. A recent certification (current within one year) of good health from physician, verifying that the student is in good physical and mental health and is able to perform the duties and activities required of Dental Hygienist.  

4. Mantoux TB skin test results and complete immunization documentation must be included on the form.  

5. Evidence of having received the second of three Hepatitis B vaccinations or completion of the series.  

6. Provide proof of health insurance coverage.  

7. Provide proof of BLS CPR certification. Online CPR classes will not be accepted.  

Admission to the Dental Assisting program shall be provisional depending upon the student’s ability to pass an initial drug screen and background check. Students may be subjected to random drug testing during the length of the program. Students are required to carry liability, accident, and medical insurance for the duration of program enrollment. Students cannot begin preclinical or clinical sessions until copies of the health certificate, Hepatitis immunization status, CPR certification and health insurance card are on file. Liability and accident insurance are available through the college. Students should provide copies of the above documents at the mandatory orientation. 

Progression

1. Students must attain a “C” in general and major required courses. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.
2. Students are required to complete the program within two (2) years of entry into the program.
3. Students who withdraw or are dismissed from the program must apply for readmission. Students will be readmitted one time only. 

Career Path

The Dental Assisting curriculum prepares students to assist in dental offices. Other career opportunities include employment in public health clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, teaching, research and dental office management. Job prospects for dental assistants should be excellent. Dentists are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks so that they may devote their own time to more complex procedures making Dental Assisting one of the fastest-growing occupations over the 2019-2029-projection period. Median hourly earnings of dental assistants were $41,180 or $19.80 per hour in May 2020, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $28,940 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $58,390. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics) 

Upon completion of the dental assisting program, students may elect to apply for admission into the dental hygiene program. The dental assisting courses will be accepted for transfer to many colleges and universities for those interested in obtaining a Bachelors’ Degree. 

*If planning to apply for Dental Hygiene, MTH 100 is recommended instead of MTH 116.

NOTE: The Guided Pathways Curricular Maps contain all the elements required for degree/certificate completion. However, courses may be offered or taken in other semesters so long as general academic courses are met. Additional options for elective courses are available. Please see DegreeWorks for allowable substitutions. Courses may be available days, nights, hybrid, and online. Sample maps for part-time attendance may also be available. Please see an advisor.