Dental Assisting Technology
FIND YOUR WINGS
The Dental Assisting Program at MCC is a one-year certificate program designed for employment and advancement in the dental assisting field. This program includes lecture hours, lab hours, and supervised clinical experiences. In the clinical experience, the student will assist the dentist at chairside both in private offices, clinics, and state facilities as applicable.
MCC’c Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Upon graduation from the program, the students will be able to apply for their radiology permit which is necessary for taking x-rays in a Mississippi dental office.
Progression: To meet graduation requirements for this program, students must successfully complete the specified courses listed below with a “C” average (GPA of 2.00) or better. A grade of “C” or higher is required in each DAT course to progress in the program. All coursework must be passed.
Minimum admission requirements (in addition to general admission requirements) must include one of the following:
- Attain a 17 or better composite score on the ACT;
- Score a 251 or higher on the ACCUPLACER NG Reading Section and a 251 or higher on the ACCUPLACER NG Arithmetic Section (or 231 on the ACCUPLACER NG Algebra QAS Section)
- Complete 15 semester hours with a “C” average or above at an accredited college or university with six (6) of the hours being awarded in English Composition I (ENG 1113) and Public Speaking (SPT 1113). Developmental coursework does not satisfy this requirement; and
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 (“C” average) on all previous college coursework; and attend a DAT Information Session offered in late spring. Students will receive notice from the Registrar’s Office about scheduling their Information Session.
The DAT Admissions Committee will select each year’s class from the pool of applicants
who meet minimum admission requirements. Any application with incomplete records will
not be considered for admission. The admission process is competitive, and completion
of minimum requirements is not a guarantee of admission. Priority consideration for
admission will be given as follows: (1) In-district students who complete program
prerequisites and/or general education coursework at MCC; (2) Out-of-district students
who complete program prerequisites and/or general education coursework at MCC; (3)
Mississippi residents who complete program prerequisites and/or general education
coursework elsewhere; (4) Out-of-state students. Check with the Health Education Advisor
for selection details and deadlines.
After program admission and prior to beginning of class, students must begin a three-part Hepatitis-B vaccination (or present physician’s statement stating that this vaccination is not advisable) and have a current CPR card not expiring while the students are in the program. Students must provide proof of immunization for MMR. A Mantoux Two-Step TB Skin Test and a Drug Screening Test will be scheduled after classes begin.
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES |
||
Course Number | Course Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
SPT 1113 | Public Speaking | 3 |
DAT 1111 | Dental Orientation | 1 |
DAT 1214 | Dental Assisting Materials | 4 |
DAT 1313 | Dental Science I | 3 |
DAT 1415 | Chairside Assisting I | 5 |
DAT 1514 | Dental Radiology I | 4 |
DAT 1911 | Dental Seminar I | 1 |
Semester Hours | 21 |
Second Semester | ||
Course Number | Course Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
DAT 1323 | Dental Science II | 3 |
DAT 1423 | Chairside Assisting II | 3 |
DAT 1522 | Dental Radiology II | 2 |
DAT 1612 | Dental Health Education | 2 |
DAT 1714 | Practice Management | 4 |
DAT 1815 | Clinical Experience I | 5 |
DAT 1921 | Dental Seminar II | 1 |
Semester Hours | 20 |
Third Semester | ||
Course Number | Course Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
ENG 1113 | English Composition I | 3 |
DAT 1822 | Clinical Experience II | 2 |
DAT 1433 | Chairside Assisting III | 3 |
Semester Hours | 8 | |
Total Semester Hours | 49 |
The program in Dental Assisting education 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. The Commission's web address is: ada.org/en/coda.
MCC’s Dental Assisting Certificate program is a program that meets the education requirements for a Dental Assistant in MS, and qualifies graduates to apply for a Mississippi radiology permit. Students take two components of the Dental Assisting National Board Exam while enrolled in the program.
Determinations about whether the Dental Assisting Certificate program at MCC meets
the state education requirements for US States, Territories, and the District of Columbia
can be found at Professional Licensure & State Authorization Program Determination Disclosure.
- Private Dental Practice
- Community Health Setting
- Nursing Homes
- Hospitals
- Prisons
- Schools
- Family Practice Clinics
- Chairside Assisting
- Dental Radiology
- Practice Management
- Clinical Experience
- $42,310 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)