Mohave Community College
Dental Assisting FAQs
How long is Dental Assisting Program? The Dental Assisting Program is two semesters long – beginning in the Fall and graduating at the end of Spring semester each academic year. Where will the Dental Assisting Program be offered? All of the Dental Assisting Program face-to-face courses and labs will be offered at the Legacy Foundation Allied Health Sciences Building in How can I prepare now for enrollment in the Dental Assisting Program? Students interested in pursuing a career as a dental assistant must first register to become a student at MCC. The academic advisor will arrange assessment testing to determine a student's readiness for college coursework. Dental assisting students must show college-level abilities on the assessment test in the areas of math, reading, and writing. What are the potential earnings of a Dental Assistant? In What financial aid options do I have for the Dental Assisting Program? Financial aid in the form of grants and loans may be available to assist students with the costs of this program. Students who are interested should apply for aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if they qualify. This form is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or at your local MCC campuses. Financial Aid advisors are available on each campus to work with students individually to assist students through the application process. Will my MCC Certificate in Dental Assisting help me be accepted into the MCC Dental Hygiene Program? Yes, the application criteria for dental hygiene awards additional points for graduates of the MCC dental assisting program. However, dental hygiene applicants must complete 31 credit hours of prerequisite coursework before they are eligible to apply. All prerequisite courses are available at MCC. None of the dental assisting program coursework will transfer to the dental hygiene program. Can I work while a student in the Dental Assisting Program? The status of a dental assisting student is considered full-time. It is strongly recommended that a student not work more than 10-15 hours per week while school is in session. Academic demands such as class and lab time, commuting, homework, study time, and clinical assignments require about 40-50 hours per week. Is class attendance mandatory? Yes, it is very important that all dental assisting students attend all classes, labs, and clinical sessions. The fast pace of this program does not allow for missed classes to be made up without disrupting the schedule of the entire program. Can I take only one course at a time? Yes, this program may be taken on a part time basis. It will simply take longer to complete. If you choose to take all the courses as they are offered you can complete your certificate in as little as one academic year. Do I need a Hepatitis B vaccine to be a dental assistant? Yes, all healthcare providers with patient contact are required to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B. Other vaccinations may be necessary depending on the area of employment. Is the Dental Assisting Program accredited? The MCC Dental Assisting Program is not currently seeking accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. |
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