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Associates Degree

Pathway I:
Certificate Program

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Deborah Burch, CDA, RDA, M.S.
Coordinator/Advisor
2755 E. Napier Ave.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 927-8100, ext. 5100 (Napier) or
(269) 695-1391, ext. 2608 (Bertrand Crossing) or
1-800-252-1562 (Indiana and Northern Michigan),
ext. 5100 (Napier); ext. 2608 (Bertrand Crossing)
E-mail: burch@lakemichigancollege.edu

Career Opportunities:

Lake Michigan College's accredited Dental Assisting program prepares individuals to write the examination to become Michigan Registered Dental Assistants and nationally Certified Dental Assistants. Successful completion of the examination enables individuals to work as members of the dental health team and work closely with dentists to assist in diagnostic, operative, surgical and preventive procedures. Dental assistants provide instrument transfer during dental treatment, take radiographs (x-rays) and prepare dental materials, casts and impression trays. They also advise patients in dental health care, maintain patient records and sterilize dental instruments. Registered Dental Assistants are permitted by law to do intraoral procedures beyond those performed by non-registered personnel.

Associates Degree or
Certificate Program:

To become an RDA, you must complete an approved college program, such as LMC's, and pass the State of Michigan Board Examination. LMC also prepares you to take the Dental Assisting National Board Certification Examination to become a CDA. All Dental Assistants in Michigan who expose dental radiographs are required to be trained in this area, and LMC offers the necessary courses.

The Program:

• Flexible open-entry
• Begin courses anytime during the year
• Not limited by semester guidelines
• Be a full- or part-time student
• Take day or evening courses
• Individualized class time
• Sequenced course work through a self-paced program
• Classes are offered at either the Napier Avenue Campus, in Benton Harbor; the Bertrand Crossing Campus, in Niles; or the Careerline Tech Center, in Holland.
• Advanced Standing classes offered at Careerline Tech Center, in Holland. See Prior Experiential Learning.

Day or evening instructors available for questions, demonstrations and evaluation.

How to Apply:

Admission to LMC:

1. Fill out College Application.
2. Have high school transcripts (or GED results) and college transcripts sent to the Admissions Office.
3. Take COMPASS Assessment. This is a basic skills assessment which covers reading, and writing (English). This is a College requirement for all first time college students. Other students follow catalog policy for admission.
4. Call or visit Financial Aid (optional).
5. Talk with the Dental Assisting advisor.
6. With the assistance of the Dental Assisting advisor, register for classes.

Complete Financial Assistance:

• Scholarships are available.
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

To obtain an application, contact the LMC Financial Aid Office.

1. High School graduation or equivalent.
   

2. English:
   Lake Michigan College Placement Assessment: English 101 eligible or enrolled concurrently in English 093/094 and Introduction to Dental Assisting 165.
   

3. Reading:
   Lake Michigan College Placement Assessment: 11.8 grade (40%ile) on Nelson-Denny Reading Test or a score of 78 on the Compass Assessment or enrolled concurrently in the appropriate reading transitional studies course and Introduction to Dental Assisting 165.
4. Interview with Dental Assisting Program Coordinator, Deborah Burch.

Admission Criteria For Handicapped Students:

The Lake Michigan College Dental Assisting program prepares students to become Registered Dental Assistants, registered by the State of Michigan. It is necessary that each learner be able to reach a minimum level of competency. Anyone taking the Dental Assisting program at Lake Michigan College must be able to deal with the patient in the most helpless conditions and in need of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. To meet this requirement, the student must have:

1. The visual acuity with corrective lenses to identify the absence of respiratory movement in a patient.
2. Enough hearing ability with auditory aids to understand the normal speaking voice without viewing the speaker's face.
3. Sufficient physical ability (minimal impairment of upper and lower extremities) to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
4. Sufficient speaking ability to be able to question the patient verbally about his/her condition and to relay information about patient verbally to others.
5. Enough manual dexterity to draw up solutions in a syringe.

Failure to meet the above criteria will result in denial of admission. General good health is required of Dental Assisting students. Policies and procedures that assist students in maintaining good health during the dental assisting program are available on request. Policies and procedures on blood borne and infectious diseases are available to be viewed in room C317 on request.

How to Get Credit for the Knowledge You Have:

LMC has multiple Pathways for receiving credit for prior experience and knowledge of dental assisting. Pathways II, III, or IV could speed the process to certification and ability to write the RDA Examination.

Advantages to Receiving Prior Experiential Learning Credit:

• Receive 18 to 27 college credits.
• Receive credit for work experience.
• Flexible time commitment.
• Receive recognition of your basic dental knowledge.
• Outstanding educational value (cost & quality).

Pathways: (To see more information on Pathways I-IV click on following cites)
I: Certificate Program Traditional entry for any student.
I: Associates Degree Traditional entry for any student.
II. Articulation agreements with High School Dental Assisting programs.
III. Current certified Dental Assistants can obtain credit for prior experience.
IV. Non-credentialed working Dental Assistants can challenge each course.

An Accredited Program:

Lake Michigan College Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body by the Council of Post Secondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education. The program is also accredited by the Michigan State Board of Dentistry.

Lake Michigan College is an Equal Opportunity Institution, affording enrollment, employment, and services without distinction on the basis of age, color, height, weight, creed, disability, marital status, sexual preference, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, or sex.

Lake Michigan College - 2755 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 (269) 927-8100
LMC at South Haven - 125 Veterans Boulevard, South Haven, MI 49090 (269) 637-7500
LMC at Bertrand Crossing - 1905 Foundation Drive, Niles, MI 49120 (269) 695-1391
M-TEC at LMC - 400 Klock Road, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 (269) 926-6832