Overview
Program Description
From the Catalog
The Dental Assisting curriculum is designed to provide opportunities for the student to develop a sound fundamental background for the practice of dental assisting. The specialized knowledge in the field of dental assisting prepares the student and graduate to contribute to the world of dentistry for today's changing environment. This program identifies necessary competencies and integrates the curricula to support these outcomes to produce a dental assistant who is a vital member of the dental health team. The student will become grounded and prepared to function as a Chairside and Expanded Functions clinician, a Business/Office Dental Assistant and a Laboratory Dental Assistant. Graduates of the program are capable of practicing in a general dental practice or in a dental specialty.
Progression through the program is sequential. Admission date is Summer Session. Students will begin with Composition, Introduction to Computers, CPR, First Aid and Safety, the student will then enter into the technical courses for dental assisting. Due to the limited amount of space in the clinical area, students will be admitted on space available basis. Successful completion of all courses in the dental assisting program require passing with a C/2.0 or above.
The program is designed to meet the American Dental Association"s Commission on Dental Accreditation Standard for Dental Assisting with the clinical skills and competencies as designated by the State Dental Practice Act of Minnesota Board of Dentistry.
A unique aspect of the South Central College’s Dental Assisting program is its location on the Minnesota State University, Mankato campus in a newly refurbished 12-unit dental clinic shared by MSU’s Dental Hygiene program. Students are allowed to live on the MSU campus when space is available.
Program Delivery:
Students will be admitted to this program in the summer semester, fall admittance will be determined by space availability and faculty advisement.
Note: This program may be taken on a part-time basis over 2 years with the program advisor’s approval.
Program Core Competencies
As a result of completing this program, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate skill competency in oral/written communication and patient management.
- Demonstrate practical application of infection control, biohazards/quality assurance procedures, and treatment area maintenance.
- Demonstrate skills to collect medical/dental data, vital signs, dental charting, and maintain accurate patient records.
- Conduct extra-oral /intra-oral exams, radiographs, preliminary impressions, study casts and occlusal bite registrations.
- Demonstrate competencies skills and proficiency in tray setups, unit preparation, and medical emergency situations.
- Apply current dental assisting concepts and techniques
- Demonstrate clinical competency skills levels in clinical and laboratory dental assisting, expanded functions, general and specialty dental procedures.
- Demonstrate competency / skill in business office procedures and equipment, dental practice management systems, and financial transactions