Dental Assisting Associate in Applied Science Degree

Prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact an academic advisor before starting any prerequisite testing and coursework. Students can send questions to advisor@lakemichigancollege.edu or make an advising appointment using the Appointments link on their LMC Navigate account.

Why Study Dental Assisting at LMC?

Registered Dental Assisting (RDA) Career Opportunities

The Registered Dental Assisting Program prepares students for entry-level dental assisting positions in a variety of settings such as private dental offices, dental schools, the military, and dental insurance offices The curriculum includes the required dental radiography courses that allow graduates to expose dental radiographs in the State of Michigan. The program also prepares students’ skills that include: chairside, receptionist, and laboratory duties, as well as inventory control, infection control, and equipment maintenance. While in the program students will obtain clinical experience in local dental offices. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to take the Michigan state board exam for Registered Dental Assistants (RDA). Graduates are also eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examination for the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential.

The Dental Assisting program is designed not only to give students the skills necessary to become valued dental assistants but to also provide professional growth and success. Clinical learning experiences are provided by affiliated dental practices in the local area. Program coursework takes place in a classroom and lab setting at the Niles Campus.

The Dental Assisting certificate is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Students may complete their associate degree after finishing the certificate. For more information on program accreditation, please see the Accreditation tab.

Dental assistants perform many tasks, ranging from providing patient care and taking x-rays, to recordkeeping and scheduling appointments. Their duties vary by state and by the dentists’ offices where they work.*

Dental Assistants are highly trained and possess the technical skills and expertise for the industry. Dental Assistants must have good listening skills, the ability to multitask, and the ability to plan and think ahead. They must communicate well with others and have excellent motor skills.

Dental Assistants may also serve in other capacities such as:

• Office or Department managers
• Sales and service for manufacturers
• Educators

Upon completion of the Dental Assisting Program, students will:

• Demonstrate an entry-level working knowledge of Dental Assisting.
• Exhibit professional values, and apply critical thinking, and communication skills.
• Obtain an understanding of professional values and the importance of life-long learning and professional development.
• Be employable and meet the needs of the healthcare community.

Program Admission and Format

You’ll be licensed:  Upon completion of the program which includes an internship at a local dental office, students will be eligible to take the Michigan Board of Dentistry Examination which grants licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA). Graduates are also eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examination for the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential.

Admission process is nondiscriminatory in regards to age, color, height, weight, creed, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, or gender identity or expression.

Upon meeting College admission criteria, students may start their prerequisites for the Dental Assisting program. Students may start program courses (DENT) after completion of HEAL 160 Introduction to Dental Assisting. Prior to starting Dental Assisting courses, students must complete a background check and drug screen and provide proof of health information and vaccinations through a third party called Complio, used by all Health Science programs at Lake Michigan College. Details regarding these requirements may be located below under eligibility and will be provided to students as they finish HEAL 160. 

Upon program admission, students will attend Dental Assisting program courses on scheduled days and times following the program curriculum sequence. Classes will be held at the Niles Campus. Students will complete hands-on practice in the Niles Dental Assisting lab, utilizing state-of-the-art technology and equipment. Clinical education will be held off-campus at dental offices and clinics in the region.

Entrance Requirements Checklist

Course Sequence – Associate Degree Program

Prerequisite Courses

First Semester

**Humanities/Fine Arts Course: Any 100-level course or higher (3 credits or more) in one of the following disciplines: Art, Foreign Language (or Honors 122, 195, 196), Humanities, Music, Philosophy (or Honors 171, 175), Drama, Any 200-level English course (or Honors 204, 208, 256, 258).

Course Sequence – Certificate Program

Dental Assisting program courses (marked as DENT) are mostly open entry/defined exit (OE/DE) in format. DENT clinical course schedules will be given to students prior to the semester start and are not considered OE/DE.

*DENT 171 and DENT 180 are open to all currently employed dental assistants.

Cost Estimates

Tuition and Fees

See the LMC Tuition and Fees webpage for current tuition rates. Use the contact hours in the charts above to reference the Tuition and Fee Totals by Contact Hour chart on the Financial Aid page. Students will also pay Dental Assisting course fees that will cover the cost of lab supplies and additional technology access within the program. Tuition rates are subject to change without notice.

Drug Screen and Background Check

Approximately $101. Includes cost of background check, drug screen, and clinical compliance portal. Students will complete these items after program admission through their clinical compliance portal using Complio by American DataBank. Students will be given more information on how to complete these items during HEAL 160, including due dates, step-by-step instructions, and more.

Books/Lab Packs

Approximately $400 for the first semester (most books purchased in the first semester are used throughout the program), less each following semester.

Uniforms

Approximately $150. The required program uniform is specific to Lake Michigan College’s Dental Assisting program. Students will wear burgundy v-neck scrub tops and burgundy pants. Shoes must be white or black, leather or leather-like (no mesh or backless clogs). Students must purchase and wear a burgundy lab jacket, which must be worn in the lab at all times. Students may wear black or white long-sleeve shirts under their scrub tops. Students will be issued a Dental Assisting Student ID Badge prior to starting DENT courses.

Health Insurance

All Dental Assisting students are required to have personal health insurance.

Additional Expenses

Please note that, except for tuition, the above costs are only those related to the Dental Assisting program. There are also books and supplies to purchase for general education courses. Students may have additional expenses, such as the cost to take the RDA or CDA exams. Travel costs are not included. Tuition, fees, and other expenses subject to change without notice. 

Eligibility

Physical Exam and Immunization Requirements

Dental Assisting students are required to have a physical exam completed prior to beginning DENT classes. Students must obtain approval and signature from a physician on a Lake Michigan College Health Certification form as part of this physical. It is not an annual physical exam, but rather a review and verification that students meet the programs technical standards, and are able to participate in the program safely.

As part of this physical exam, it is essential to provide proof of freedom from communicable diseases. Specific vaccinations must be completed or proof of antibody titer immunity provided for the following:

• MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella)
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
• Varicella*
• Hepatitis B
• COVID-19 vaccination
• Proof of freedom from Tuberculosis (TB)**
• Flu vaccination*

*History of disease (chickenpox as a child) is NOT valid. Students must provide proof of vaccination, or titer test results showing immunity.
**Must be renewed annually

Dental Assisting Student Handbook

The Dental Assisting program is a highly technical program, and deals with the safety of patients admitted to local hospitals and nursing homes. For this reason, Dental Assisting students are subject to many rules not required of other College students. Most of these rules are listed in the Dental Assisting Student Handbook. A copy of the handbook will be given to students prior to starting Dental Assisting program classes. The Dental Assisting program schedule may not necessarily follow the LMC Academic Calendar or holiday schedule. Students may be assigned clinical shifts the morning, daytime, or evening on any day of the week.

Requirements for CPR Certification

Students must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider level CPR certification prior to starting Dental Assisting program classes. BLS Provider through American Heart Association or Red Cross are accepted. Fully online courses, Heartsaver, and Race for Life are NOT considered valid forms of CPR certification for the Dental Assisting program.

Students should ensure that their CPR certification does not lapse during the program. Lapse in certification or failure to obtain certification will result in inability to attend clinical.

CPR classes may be taken at Lake Michigan College or contact Erin McGuire, Health Sciences Administrative Coordinator at healthsciences@lakemichigancollege.edu for details on how to enroll.