Dental Assisting

Everyone likes to see a beautiful smile. Would you like to be the one to help create happy and healthy smiles? Dental Assisting may be the career for you! Immerse yourself in this exciting and challenging career field and you can become a dental assistant in 1 year. Upon graduation, you will be designated as a Dental Assistant II, but are eligible to become a Certified Dental Assistant by taking the Dental Assisting National Board examination. The dental assisting program at GTCC is nationally accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Program Effectiveness Data

Dental Assisting (1-Year Diploma)
Cohort Year
2019 2020 2021 2022
Students Enrolled 35 28 32 36
Students Graduated 30 21 22 28
Completion Rate 86.00% 75.00% 69.00% 78.00%
Employment within 6 Months of Graduation 100.00% 100% 100% 100%

 

CODA Program Accreditation

The Dental Assisting program at Guilford Technical Community College is accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611; telephone: 1-800-232-6108; website: https://coda.ada.org/.

Regional Accreditation

Guilford Technical Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. GTCC also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of GTCC may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).

Admissions Information

Credentialing Options

Dental Assisting Diploma - CIP Code: 51.0601

D 45 24 0

Contact: (336) 334-4822, ext. 50256

Limited Enrollment Program:
Contact the Enrollment Services Office for Program admission requirements and Program application deadlines.

The Dental Assisting curriculum prepares individuals to assist the dentist in the delivery of dental treatment and to function as integral members of the dental team while performing chair-side and related office and laboratory procedures.

Course work includes instruction in general studies, biomedical sciences, dental sciences, clinical sciences, and clinical practice. A combination of lecture, laboratory, and clinical experiences provide students with knowledge in infection/hazard control, radiography, dental materials, preventive dentistry, and clinical procedures.

Graduates may be eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board Examination to become Certified Dental Assistants. As a Dental Assistant II, defined by the Dental Laws of North Carolina, graduates work in dental offices and other related areas.

Program Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the program, the students should be able to: 

  • Provide basic and expanded chair-side functions including the manipulation of dental materials to support chair-side and laboratory procedures.
  • Provide assistance in the management of emergency situations.
  • Complete radiographic/digital images for diagnostic and technical quality.
  • Apply ethical, legal, and regulatory concepts in the provision of oral care.
  • Perform basic office procedures necessary to assist in the management of a dental practice.
  • Design and implement individualized and community based patient education strategies.
  • Apply self-assessment skills to prepare for lifelong learning.

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 22

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 15

Summer Semester I

Total Credits: 8

Total credit hours required for diploma: 45

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Associate in Arts, Pre-Dental Assisting Diploma Pathway

A 10 10 0 DA

Contact: (336) 334-4822, ext. 50256

Limited Entry Pre-Health Program Pathway

GTCC is an open access institution, however many of our programs have enrollment requirements for admission.  Limited Enrollment Pathways help to identify students who are awaiting acceptance into Limited Enrollment Programs while they complete entry requirements to qualify for admission.  Students who are unable to qualify for admission to Limited Enrollment Programs within one year will be removed from the Limited Enrollment Pathway, and will remain enrolled in the Associate in Arts (A10100) degree program.

Semester I

Total Credits: 15

Semester II

Total Credits: 16

Semester III

Total Credits: 16

Semester IV

  • Natural Sciences Elective Credits: 4 
  • General Education Elective Credits: 3 
  • Other Required Hours Elective Credits: 3 
  • Other Required Hours Elective Credits: 3 
       

Total Credits: 13

Course Requirements for Associate in Arts, Pre-Dental Assisting Diploma Pathway (60 Credits)

General Education Requirements

The general education common course pathway includes study in the areas of English, communication; humanities and fine arts; social and behavioral sciences; natural sciences and mathematics.

English Composition

The following two English compositions courses are required:

Humanities/Fine Arts

The following courses are required:

Humanities/Fine Arts Elective

Choose three (3) credits from the list below:

Social/Behavioral Sciences

The following courses are required:

  • PSY 150 General Psychology
    PSY 150 General Psychology
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  • Additional Social/Behavioral Science Elective Credits: 3
  • Additional Social/Behavioral Science Elective Credits: 3
Social/Behavioral Science Electives

Choose two courses from the following list:

Mathematics

The following course is required:

Natural Sciences

The following courses are required:

Natural Sciences Electives

Take four (4) credits from the following list:

General Education Electives

Take seven (7) credits from the following list:

Other Required Hours

Academic Transition and Pathway Requirements

The following courses are required:

Other Required Electives

Choose nine (9) credits from the following courses:

Footnotes:

1. WBL-111 is not transferable and can only be utilized as the 61st hour of the program.

Total Credits: 60

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Frequently Asked Questions

Nita Little, Instructor

Andrea Powell, Instructor

Yes. Financial aid is available if you qualify. Please visit the Financial Aid web page or contact the Financial Aid office at 336-334-4822. Option 3.

Dental assistants are well-trained professionals who work chairside with the dentist while patient care is provided. A dental assistant supports the dentist by having a working knowledge of instrumentation, procedures and the application of various dental materials during patient treatment. They are trained to take dental x-rays and to apply preventive materials, such as fluoride and sealants and teach patients about how to take care of their dental health. 

Private dental offices in a variety of specialties, hospital clinics, public health, education, sales, research.

You must be a high school graduate or have a GED. Since admission to this program is competitive, your application will be reviewed and points will be assigned for pre-requisite coursework in high school and/or previous college based on the grades you earned. You will need to refer to the current Dental Assisting Admission Packet document, linked above under the "Admission Information" section for more specific information regarding this process.

Specific Program Costs
ITEM COST
Books, Supplies $1,018
Instruments $130
Uniforms $300
GTCC Chapter of ADAA $35
Typhon Access Fee $80
DANB Exam Fee $425

These are only estimates and do not include expenses incurred in obtaining your medical, dental and eye examinations, immunizations and/or titers, and CPR certification.

Upon graduation, you will be designated as a Dental Assistant II, which allows you to gain employment in a variety of dental offices. If you choose to become a Certified Dental Assistant, you can obtain this nationally recognized credential by taking the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examination.

An estimated cost to take the DANB examination is approximately $425.

Yes. Applicants taking the DANB examination are required to submit a background check.