Dental Assistant cleaning a patient's teeth

Dental Assisting Advanced Certificate

Flexible, hands-on program

From routine checkups to cosmetic procedures and emergencies, there are lots of reasons people visit the dentist. With an associate degree from our Registered Dental Assisting program, you’ll be prepared to play many important roles within these busy health care offices. You might find yourself working alongside the dentist in an exam room, running the reception area, or working in the practice’s laboratory.

You will work on coursework in a classroom setting with dedicated instructors who have worked in dental offices themselves and gain hands-on practice in our labs. When you’re ready, you’ll continue to gain clinical experience as an intern in a local dental office. All of your hard work will prepare you to pass the Michigan state board exam for Registered Dental Assistants.

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Unlike most programs where everyone graduates at the same time, the Dental Assisting program allows you to work at your own pace. So if you want to finish your classes and start working in a dental office as soon as possible, there is nothing to slow you down. If you need to work or attend to other responsibilities while you are in the program, that’s okay, too. Labs are located at both the Benton Harbor and Niles campuses, with varied hours.

The program in Dental Assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, (CODA), 2111 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, Phone: 312-440-4653 a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and by the U.S. Department of Education. The program is also accredited by the Michigan State Board of Dentistry.

See the Dental Assisting program brochure for details (pdf)

Major Requirements	Credit Hours
Dental Assisting 165, Introduction to Dental Assisting	3
Dental Assisting 166, Chairside I	3
Dental Assisting 167, Chairside II	3
Dental Assisting 168, Chairside III	3
Dental Assisting 169, Chairside V	3
Dental Assisting 170, Introduction to Dental Office Assisting	2
+Dental Assisting 171, Introduction to Dental Radiography	3
Dental Assisting 172, Medical Issues in Dental Office	2
Dental Assisting 173, Clinical I	6
Dental Assisting 174, RDA I	3
Dental Assisting 175, RDA II	3
Dental Assisting 176, Clinical II	5
+Dental Assisting 180, Dental Radiography	2

+ Courses are open to all employed dental assistants

Once you pass your exam and start working, you can expect to earn about $36,000 per year. Plus, the need for dental assistants is expected to grow 14% by 2024, so your chances of getting and keeping a job are excellent!