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Dental Assistant Associate of Applied Science Degree

Overview and Award Outcomes

Overview

The Dental Assistant is an important member of a professional health team. As a Dental Assistant, the student will perform many chairside procedures, assist the dentist during patient treatment and complete records. The assistant must also be competent in the knowledge and skill required for business office and laboratory procedures. Upon completion of this program, the dental assistant graduate will be eligible to take the Minnesota State Board of Dentistry’s Licensure Exam and the Dental Assisting National board exams. Passing this exam allows a dental assistant to perform the expanded functions on patients.

Personal qualities considered essential for this occupation are the ability to work well with others, the desire to be a part of a professional team, manual dexterity, good communication skills, ability to follow direct supervision and to be sensitive to others` needs.

The Dental Assistant program at Hennepin Technical College is approved by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry, www.dentalboard.state.mn.us.

The program in Dental Assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of Approval without Reporting Requirements. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda.

The A.A.S. degree plan is designed for students who are interested in continuing their educational career.

Information is available thru the HTC web site and dental assistant program counselors which state the risks of entering this profession in regards to bloodborne pathogens and disease transmission, including needlesticks.

Prerequisite: Pre-Dental Health Requirements (Mantoux test and Hepatitis B vaccine) COMM1250 or COMM1260, DNTL1121, ENGL1100 or ENGL1250, EMSV1020 or currently certified in CPR for the Healthcare Provider.

Award Outcomes

Demonstrate an understanding of dental sciences

Facilitate effective communication with patients and dental team members

Perform clinical, laboratory and administrative procedures in various dental environments

Apply current concepts of infection control and occupational safety

Demonstrate the legal and ethical Minnesota Board of Dentistry statutes

Apply critical thinking and problem solving

Career Opportunities

Dental Assistants are employed in private and group practices, government public health clinics, dental sales, insurance companies, educational facilities, and the armed forces.

Program Requirements

Technical Studies Required 42 Credits

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
DNTL1000Dental Team/Practice Management

2

DNTL1121Dental Science

4

DNTL1140Dental Materials

3

DNTL1160Preclinical Chairside Assisting

3

DNTL1180Chairside Assisting I

4

DNTL1200Dental Health

2

DNTL1220Chairside Assisting II

4

DNTL1241Dental Radiology

4

DNTL1261Expanded Functions

7

DNTL1305Externship Seminar

1

DNTL1321Clinical Externship I

4

DNTL1325Clinical Externship II

4

General Education Required 10 Credits

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
COMM1250Interpersonal Communication

3

or

COMM1260Small Group Communication

3

 

ENGL1100Writing and Research

4

or

ENGL1250Short Form Composition and Reporting

4

 

PHIL1200Ethics

3

or

PHIL1400Medical Ethics

4

General Education Elective 8 Credits

Choose credits from Hennepin Technical College’s Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) general education courses.

Technical Studies Elective 0 Credits

Total Associate in Applied Science Degree Credits 60

Semester Sequence

Offered at Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie

Pre-Dental Assistant Requirements

All Pre-Dental courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
EMSV1020CPR/First Aid

1

or

Current CPR for Health Care Provider or Professional Rescuer

COMM1250Interpersonal Communication

3

or

COMM1260Small Group Communication

3

DNTL1121Dental Science

4

(may be repeated only once)

ENGL1100Writing and Research

4

or

ENGL1250Short Form Composition and Reporting

4

Total Credits  11

Students are required to complete the following prior to program application:

* Hepatitis B Vaccination (2 vaccinations of a series of 3 must be completed)

* Tetanus vaccination (TDAP) (within last 10 yrs)

* High School Diploma or GED Required

REQUIRED within two weeks after beginning the program:

*Mantoux (PPD Test)

* Background study through the MN Department of Human Services 651-431-2000.  Contact DHS with questions.

First Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
DNTL1140Dental Materials

3

DNTL1160Preclinical Chairside Assisting

3

DNTL1180Chairside Assisting I

4

DNTL1200Dental Health

2

DNTL1241Dental Radiology

4

Total Credits  16

Second Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
DNTL1000Dental Team/Practice Management

2

DNTL1220Chairside Assisting II

4

DNTL1261Expanded Functions

7

Total Credits  13

Summer Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
DNTL1305Externship Seminar

1

DNTL1321Clinical Externship I

4

DNTL1325Clinical Externship II

4

Total Credits  9

Additional Required General Education Courses

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
PHIL1200Ethics

3

or

PHIL1400Medical Ethics

4

General Education Electives

8

Total Credits  11

General Education Electives

A complete list of Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) courses and Goal Areas that can be used to meet General Education requirements can be found at www.hennepintech.edu.  The same course cannot satisfy more than one MnTC Goal Area requirement.

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits

Total Credits  8

General Information

• The Dental Assistant program at Hennepin Technical College is approved by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry, www.dentalboard.state.mn.us.

• The program in Dental Assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of Approval without Reporting Requirements. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda.

• All Dental Assistant students must earn a C or better in all DNTL (Dental Assistant) courses to continue in the Dental program.  In the event that a student earns a D, F or W grade in a DNTL course, the student may repeat that course only one time the next semester that the course is offered.

• Current certification in CPR is mandatory throughout the entire program, including externship.  Proof of current CPR certification is also required in order to take the Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) examination.

• Students who have earned their Dental Assisting diploma or degree are eligible to take the Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) and the Minnesota State Licensure Exam.  Successful completion of the Minnesota State Licensure Exam allows the individual to practice as a Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA).

• A written notification is required from a physician/obstetrician for a pregnant student to continue enrollment in DNTL1241 Dental Radiology, DNTL1261 Expanded Functions, DNTL1321 Clinical Externship I, and DNTL1325 Clinical Externship II.

• Information is available on the HTC website and from the Enrollment Advisors, HTC Counselors, and the dental assistant program faculty which state the risks of entering this profession in regard to bloodborne pathogens and disease transmission, including needlesticks.

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits

Criminal Background Studies

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits

Minnesota law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with children, patients, and residents at a health or child care facility licensed by the State of Minnesota must have a background study conducted by the state.  Individuals with specified felony convictions are prohibited from having direct contact with children, patients, and residents of licensed facilities.  Anyone refusing to cooperate in the criminal background study cannot participate in coursework that requires direct contact with children, patients or residents.  Students who are disqualified from having direct patient/resident/child contact will not be able to participate in coursework which includes a practical experience.  Therefore, completion of coursework for the program major will not be possible without documentation of a cleared background study.

Additional Program Costs

Books - $450

Program Kit (Typodonts) - $950 + tax

Scrub uniforms, lab coat, white shoes - $125

Membership in ADAA and Liability Insurance - $45

Student name tag - $10

MN Jurisprudence Exam - $60

MN Licensure Exam (DASLE) - $70

Board of Dentistry Application - $123

Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) - $450

Approx. Total for Additional Program Costs - $2,033

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits

Graduation (60 Credits)

Semester listings reflect the recommended sequence.  Due to circumstances beyond our control, the information herein is subject to change without notice. 

 

1/23/2024 : BP 7604 / EP 7605