2018-2019 Program Requirements for CFDAC

Dental Assisting (CFDAC)

Certificate

Description

This 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 for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examination, which leads to the nationally recognized status of a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). As a CDA, graduates assist in the treatment of patients. Graduates of the program are also prepared to take the Michigan State Board of Dentistry examination, which gives recognition as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA). As an RDA in the State of Michigan, graduates can perform specific intra-oral functions generally performed by a dentist. The program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

Students may enroll in this program in one of two pathways. Pathway I is the format for the student who is not employed in a dental office. Pathway II (ADAEP) is the advanced standing option for the dental assistant with two or more years of experience as a dental assistant who has passed all three portions of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) CDA examination. These pathways are described in detail at health.wccnet.edu/dentalassisting/certification/.

Admissions Requirements

Washtenaw Community College uses a competitive admission process for high demand programs in health care. There are multiple requirements that must be completed prior to submitting an application for admission. For detailed information regarding admission to this health care program, please visit our Health Care website at health.wccnet.edu/. Prerequisite and program requirements along with WCC's point system and scales are reviewed annually and subject to change.

Students are expected to meet the prerequisite and program requirements of the catalog term for the semester in which they first begin the program. Details regarding WCC's Admission to High Demand Programs policy including priority levels are on WCC's Board of Trustees policy page: www.wccnet.edu/about/policies/2005.php. Details regarding WCC's point scales that are used to calculate points are on WCC's Student Connection, Health and Second Tier Program information page .

Admission Requirements for Pathway I (On Campus):
Each year approximately 24 students are accepted to Pathway I for a Fall start.
1. Admission to WCC.
2. Attendance at a mandatory information session.
3. Program prerequisite courses:
a. ACS 1035 (Introduction to Online Learning)
b. HSC 101 or HSC 124 with a minimum grade of C+/2.3
4. Academic Reading Level of 6 (College Level)
5. Academic Writing Level of 6 (College Level)
6. Minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.3 at WCC (6 or more college credits completed at WCC) or cumulative college GPA of 2.3 from all colleges/universities attended or cumulative high school GPA of 2.3 from all high schools attended.
7. Verification of high school diploma, GED or higher degree.
8. 18 years of age by October 31 of the year student starts the program.
9. Signed Student Competencies Form (see application packet). WCC reserves the right to request, before or during the program, that students successfully demonstrate specific physical and cognitive abilities related to the program.
10. Residency verification.

Admission Requirements for Pathway II (ADAEP):
Each year, approximately 36 students are accepted to Pathway II for a Fall, Winter and Spring/Summer semester start (12 per semester).
1. Admission to WCC.
2. Contact Kathleen Weber in the Dental Assisting Department at 734-973-3338.
3. Program prerequisite courses:
a. ACS 1035 (Introduction to Online Learning)
4. Academic Reading Level of 6 (College Level).
5. Academic Writing Level of 6 (College Level).
6. Current and valid CPR card.
7. Pass all three portions (GC, RHS and ICE) of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certified Dental Assisting (CDA) Examination or graduate from an American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Accredited Dental Assisting program.
8. Students must be employed in a dental office at least 24 hours per week as a chairside dental assistant. The participating dentist must validate the student's skills (see the Student Agreement of Participation and Dentist Agreement of Participation forms in the admission packet).
9. Residency verification.

Applying for Admission to the Program

A formal application and acceptance to the program is required. Application packets may be downloaded from WCC's Student Connection, Health and Second Tier Program information page. Completed and signed applications must be submitted during the dates indicated on the application to the Health and Second Tier Admissions Office in the Student Connection, located on the second floor of the Student Center Building.

Continuing Eligibility

Continuing Eligibility for Pathway I (On Campus):
1. Upon notification of acceptance to the program, students must purchase an account from a college-designated vendor to obtain a criminal background check and to track their health records. The criminal background check and health records must be submitted to the designated vendor before attending the mandatory program orientation. Specific information on the college-designated vendor and dates for the mandatory orientation will be included in the program acceptance letter.
2. Additional background checks may be conducted at any time during the program. Failure to receive an acceptable drug test and/or criminal background/fingerprinting check at any time will result in dismissal from the program.
3. Students must complete any other health requirements as designated by the clinical sites.
4. All Dental Assisting (DEN) and support courses to the program must be completed with a minimum grade of C/2.0.
5. Students who are dismissed from the program may not be eligible to reapply to the program.

Continuing Eligibility for Pathway II (ADAEP):
1. Continual employment working a minimum 24 hours per week as a chairside dental assistant during the program is required.
2. All Dental Assisting (DEN) and support courses to the program must be completed with a minimum grade of C/2.0.
3. Students who are dismissed from the program may not be eligible to reapply to the program.

Contact Information

Division

Health Sciences

Department

Allied Health Department

Advisors

Jodi Neuman
Kristina Sprague

Requirements

(Items marked with an icon are available online.)

Select a concentration for requirements and total credits required for program.

Pathway I

Pathway II (ADAEP)

Footnotes

*If you are planning to pursue an Associate's degree.

Dental Assisting Certificate and Degree Completion
Students completing the Dental Assisting courses outlined above will obtain a Certificate in Dental Assisting. Students may also complete an associate degree by using the same core dental assisting courses in addition to completing the general education requirements and electives for an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Occupational Studies.