Expanded Duty Dental Assisting Diploma in Applied Science
Program Description
This program prepares students to work as clinical dental assistants to receive and prepare patients for dental care, assist dentists and dental hygienists chairside, exposing dental x-rays, creating temporary crowns, and make impressions of teeth for study models. Students are educated and cross-trained in office management skills such as computer dental software management, maintaining confidential patient records, scheduling patient appointments, and insurance billing.
Mission Statement
The primary mission of the GTC Expanded Duty Dental Assistant program is to provide nationally certified expanded duty dental assistants to serve the dental community. Graduates are expected to assume responsibility for personal and professional growth and to enhance knowledge and skills through continued education and lifelong learning.
Entrance Requirements
High school diploma or GED
See “Program Requirements” Section for additional requirements.
Type of Program
Day (some evening classes/clinics required).
Employment Opportunities
Dental offices, public health departments, dental schools.
Professional Credentials
CDA- Certified Dental Assistant (subject to passing Dental Assisting National Board exam)
Program Accreditation
The Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association
Visit our web page at https://www.gvltec.edu/dental/.
Prior to acceptance students must
- Meet the specific program requirements outlined in The School of Health Sciences admissions requirements.
- Apply for program admission from January 15-May 1 of each year. Seats are awarded to the most highly-qualified applicants based upon weighted criteria and on a space-available basis.
- Complete an online Career Talk session for the major within one year of application and program orientation after acceptance.
An acceptable criminal background check and a negative 10-panel drug screen are required after acceptance into the dental assisting program and before beginning class experience.
Requirements for Completion
- A grade of “C” or higher is required in every course- prerequisites and dental assisting.
- Completion of all of the general education courses with grades of A or B will earn the student higher points toward the weighted admission to the program.
- Students must purchase supply kits and uniforms at the start of the program from vendors selected by the Expanded Duty Dental Assisting program.
- Students must be able to provide transportation and attend all clinical experiences.
- Students must take and pass all three portions of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) in order to graduate from Greenville Technical College and become a certified dental assistant (CDA). Each semester, one portion of the DANB must be taken and passed during the required course to continue in the program. Students are responsible for exam fees each semester.
Listed below is the ideal grouping of courses in order by semester. This plan assumes a full-time schedule. Note, however, that many variables can affect this plan, and not every course is offered every semester. Please see your advisor to map out your own personalized progression toward graduation.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-program courses | ||
| BIO 112 | Basic Anatomy & Physiology 1,2 | 4 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I 1 | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology 1 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Freshman Seminar 3 | ||
| Leadership Through the Humanities 3 | ||
| SPC 205 | Public Speaking 1,3,4 | 3 |
| First Semester | ||
| DAT 115 | Ethics & Professionalism | 1 |
| DAT 116 | Fundamentals of Dental Medicine | 3 |
| DAT 118 | Dental Morphology | 2 |
| DAT 154 | Clinical Procedures I | 4 |
| DAT 113 | Dental Materials | 4 |
| Second Semester | ||
| DAT 121 | Dental Health Education | 2 |
| DAT 127 | Dental Radiology | 4 |
| DAT 160 | Expanded Duties/Specialties | 2 |
| DAT 175 | Introduction to Clinical Experience | 5 |
| Third Semester | ||
| DAT 122 | Dental Office Management | 2 |
| DAT 177 | Dental Office Experience | 7 |
| Total Required Credit Hours | 52 | |
- 1
General education course
It is strongly recommended that the five (5) general education courses be taken prior to applying to the Dental Assisting program. Points will be assigned for the completion of these courses that will facilitate entry into the program.
- 2
The combination of the higher level BIO 210 Anatomy & Physiology I and BIO 211 Anatomy & Physiology II or BIO 215 Anatomy and BIO 216 Physiology will substitute for BIO 112 Basic Anatomy & Physiology, if the student has successfully completed both courses with a grade of “C” or better.
- 3
For students who also intend to apply to the Dental Hygiene program, HSS 295 Leadership Through the Humanities should be taken in place of COL 105 Freshman Seminar and SPC 205 Public Speaking should be taken for the Speech requirement.
- 4
SPC 208 Intercultural Communication and SPC 209 Interpersonal Communication are also acceptable for this program