Dental Assistant
Certificate of Applied Science Degree
Advisor: Robin Williams & Carmen Perry
Student Information and Application Packet
Dental Assistants are important members of the dental health care team and primarily help to increase the efficiency and productivity of the dental practice by assisting the dentist in delivering patient care. Other employment opportunities and/or responsibilities include dental health education, performing expanded duty dental care on patients, business practice, or working with dental insurance or dental supply companies. Because dentists employ two or three dental assistants, employment opportunities are excellent.
The Dental Assistant program will:
- Maintain an instructional curriculum that meets the accreditation standards of the American Dental Association Council on Dental Education and of the local dental community.
- Deliver relevant learning experiences and curriculum sequencing to assure graduates achieve adequate knowledge and skill to enable them to be employed in the field as entry level Dental Assistants.
Outcomes - Graduates are prepared to:
- Sit for the national certification examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board;
- Perform entry level skill and competence in assigned chairside dental assistant duties and responsibilities (including expended duty functions as defined by the Montana Board of Dentistry);
- Substantiate the mastery of oral radiography theory and techniques;
- Utilize dental-specific software for the operation of a dental practice;
- Demonstrate appropriate cultural, legal, ethical, and professional values (including adherence to HIPAA standards);
- Articulate dental language appropriate in business, clinical, and educational situations;
- Apply OSHA Infection control standards during all aspects of dental care and practice; and
- Improve potential to meet program graduation requirements by participating in academic advisement and other supportive services.
The MSU – Great Falls Dental Assistant program is a one-year (11 month) limited enrollment certificate program and accepts up to 18 students each year. Applicants are advised to contact Student Central or a program advisor for further program information specific to admission requirements.
Interested students must complete an application to the program (separate from the institution application) for program acceptance. These students must have already successfully (C- or better) completed MATH 085 (Pre-algebra) and ENGL 118 (Intro to Critical Reading/Writing) OR their equivalents OR are currently at the competency level for the program-required math and English courses.
Following acceptance to the program, students complete three semesters concluding with a summer semester when the students are enrolled in clinical practice.
Students will be required to purchase uniform attire and provide own transportation (and lodging, if applicable) to and from clinical site assignments.
Estimated Resident Program Cost:
| Tuition and Fees | $4499 |
| Application Fee | $30 |
| Uniforms | $250 |
| Lab Fees | $270 |
| Books/Supplies | $1300 |
| TOTAL: | $6349 |
The Dental Assistant program sequence is as follows: (The student, however, may complete any or all of the general education coursework (non-DA) prior to entry to the Dental Assistant program, ie: MATH 103 or higher, ENGL 119 or higher, and/or COMM 135 or PSY 101)
A grade of “C-” or above must be achieved in all courses to advance in the program and to graduate.
Fall Semester
| Course | No. | Title | Credits |
| DA | 115 | Head, Neck & Oral Anatomy | 4+ |
| DA | 118 | Dental Office Management | 2+ |
| DA | 120 | Oral Radiology/Radiography I | 3+ |
| DA | 123 | Chairside Theory and Practice I | 4+ |
| ENGL | 119** | Intro to College Writing or higher | 3/4+ |
SUBTOTAL |
16-17 |
Spring Semester
| Course | No. | Title | Credits |
| DA | 121* | Oral Radiology/Radiography II | 2+ |
| DA | 124* | Chairside Theory and Practice II | 4+ |
| DA | 150* | Dental Sciences/Preventive Dentistry | 4+ |
| DA | 165* | Dental Specialties | 3+ |
| MATH | ---** | MATH 103 or higher | 3/4+ |
SUBTOTAL |
16-17 |
Summer Semester
| Course | No. | Title | Credits |
| COMM | 135 | Interpersonal Communication OR | |
| PSY | 101 | General Psychology | 3+ |
| DA | 190* | Clinical Practice and Seminar | 7+ |
SUBTOTAL |
10 |
All required Dental Assistant program coursework must be successfully (“C- “or better) completed prior to enrollment in DA 190, with the exception of Interpersonal Communication or General Psychology.
Total Program Credits: 42-44~
~ Many students need preliminary math and English courses before enrolling in the program requirements. These courses may increase the total number of program credits. Students should review their math and English placement before planning out their full program schedules.
+ A grade of "C-" or above required for graduation
* Indicates prerequisites needed
** Placement in course(s) is determined by placement assessment
