Dental Assisting

Smiles around here!

The demand for dental assistants is projected to grow steadily through the year 2010 due to a growing population, all needing dental care. With Marshalltown Community College’s 11-month Dental Assisting Program, our students become highly employable in a very short time.

Students choose the MCC Dental Assisting Program for the superior curriculum and practical training that often leads to 100 percent placement of graduates.

An on-campus dental clinic provides expert one-on-one training and practice with local dentists and real patients. Clinical assignments with dental offices in area communities let students assist with real life dental cases.

Our students learn and apply the skills, knowledge, and professionalism that lead to a successful career in dental assisting. Graduates leave MCC with experience and confidence.

Employers appreciate the way MCC Dental Assisting Program graduates fit into their dental team with little or no additional training.

The program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.  Graduates are eligible to write examinations for Certified Dental Assistants, Infection Control, and Dental Radiation Health and Safety.

Degree Details

• List of Dental Assisting Courses

• Degrees Offered

  • Dental Assisting Diploma

   

  |  Applications Checklist   |  For More Information  |

                                    Elaine Peterson, Instructor

                                    CDA, Marshalltown Community College

                                    BA, Buena Vista University

                                    Elaine.Peterson@iavalley.edu

                                    641-752-7106, ext. 294 or toll-free 866-MCC-IS-IT

What is dental assisting?

Dental Assistants are employed by general dentists, specialists such as orthodontists, oral surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, or pediatric dentists. Other positions for trained dental assistants exist in public health dentistry focusing on cavity and gum disease prevention education, hospitals, dental schools, and with insurance companies processing dental insurance claims.

Responsibilities include chairside assisting, patient education, infection control, radiographic and laboratory techniques, and organizational and practice management tasks.

Job flexibility

Dentists usually need both full- and part-time assistants, often giving their staff members flexibility in their work schedule.

Some dental clinics offer appointments during the evening and on Saturdays to accommodate the working public. This results in even greater scheduling flexibility for dental assistants.

Professionalism

Graduates of MCC’s Dental Assisting Program are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Examination to become Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs). It is divided into three sections (General Chairside, Infection Control and Dental Radiation Health and Safety) which may be taken together or separately, in written or computer format. Passing the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Exam section meets the Iowa State Board of Dental Examiners requirement to become a dental radiographer.

“My instructors have been very supportive, understanding, interesting, helpful, and lots of fun. This program has a lot of hands-on learning. It is very rewarding when you accomplish each task. I would recommend this program to anyone looking for a challenging, fun and learning experience.”

Buffy Rutledge

MCC graduate

“The Dental Assisting Program teaches you the fundamentals and then gives you a chance for hands-on experiences. The instructors are excellent and you get the opportunity for one-on-one learning.”

Kristy Weber

MCC student