Dental Assisting

Dental assistants are in great demand. It is a career with security, variety, prestige and respect – factors you value in the workplace. An aging population keeping their natural teeth and an increased focus on preventative dental care for younger generations create this increased demand for dental services. Job opportunities can be found in private and group practices, clinics within local hospitals, in the armed services, or as an instructor in a dental assistant program. Dental assistants are members of the dental care team who perform a wide variety of tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical skills. Under the supervision of a dentist, the dental assistant prepares all instruments, materials and equipment used in dental procedures, takes dental radiographs (x-rays), assists the dentist in all procedures, provides oral care instruction to patients and performs office administration tasks. This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Commission on Dental Accreditation, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611, tel. 800.232.6108, https://coda.ada.org/en/accreditation.

The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB, www.danb.org) is the nationally recognized premier certification and credentialing agency for dental assistants. The DANB examinations are required or recognized as meeting regulatory requirements in more than thirty states. McCann graduates are eligible to take for the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination as administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc., 444 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60611-3985, tel. 1-800-FOR-DANB.

Department Faculty

Michelle Racette, CDA, RDH
Program Coordinator
mracette@mccanntech.org
Phone: (413) 663-5383 ext. 183

Lisa Kowal, BA
Adjunct Faculty
lkowal@mccanntech.org

Click here for information on how to apply for the Dental Assisting program

Program Information

Career Placements

Aspen Dental	Paul Gamache, DMD	William O'Donnell, DMD
Matthew Ballinger, DDS	John George, DDS	Oral and Dental Implant Surgery
Berkshire Orthodontics	Alan Gold, DDS	Erich Schmidt, DMD
Berkshire Pediatric Dentistry	Hillcrest Dental Care	Peter Sheffer, DDS
Ralph Blanchard, Jr., DDS	Hilltown Community Health Center	SVMC Dentistry
Carver Family Dentistry	Joshua Kleederman, DDS	Michael Williams, DDS
CHP Dental Center	Krol and Nazarov	Williamstown Dental
David Crall, DDS	Karen Lartin, DDS	Jay Wise, DDS
Deerfield Valley Dental Care	Francis McCarthy, DMD	Natalya Yantovsky, DMD
Dolce Dental Smiles	Messenger Digital Dentistry	Yarmosky Pediatric Dentistry

Chart for In-District Students

For students who reside in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Lanesborough, Monroe, North Adams, Savoy and Williamstown.

Program	Cost
Tuition	$1,500
Fees	$290
Books	$464
Uniforms	$533
Equipment/Testing	$810
Total	$3,597

Additional expenses (after graduation):
Dental Assisting requires licensure. Board of Registration in Dentistry Massachusetts Licensure is $60.00. You are responsible for registering for licensure with the state.

Chart for Out of District Students

For students who reside in cities or towns that are not in-district.

Program	Cost
Tuition	$3,000
Fees	$290
Books	$464
Uniforms	$533
Equipment/Testing	$810
Total	$5,097

Course Descriptions

DENTAL ASSISTING COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

FIRST SEMESTER

DA101 DENTAL ASSISTING I / 2 CREDITS

This course introduces the student to the profession of dentistry, the dental office, and the roles of the dental assistant. Here they will recognize and utilize dental instruments, dental handpieces, and accessories. The student will have an understanding and knowledge in dental ethics and law.

DA102 DENTAL SCIENCE I / 3 CREDITS

This course provides the student with an understanding of the development, form and function of the structures of the oral cavity and of oral disease. This course also covers the principles of microbiology including identification of pathogen and control of disease transmission.

DA103 DENTAL RADIOLOGY / 5 CREDITS

This course includes content at an in-depth level in dental radiology. Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills to produce diagnostic dental image surveys. They will demonstrate competence in radiation health protection techniques, processing procedures, anatomical landmarks and pathologies, mounting surveys of dental images, and placing and exposing dental images.

DA104 CLINICAL SCIENCE 1 / 6 CREDITS

This course provides an overview of disease of teeth and periodontium. Students will review preventive dentistry and demonstrate techniques such a topical fluoride applications, toothbrushing techniques, and dietary analysis. They will assist in oral diagnosis and treatment planning, perform moisture control, deliver dental care, and assist in anesthesia and pain control. Other topics include matrix systems for restorative dentistry, vital signs, and assisting in medical emergencies.

DA105 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT/ 2 CREDITS

This course provides an overview of how the business aspect of a dental practice must be managed and operated efficiently to make a practice run successfully. It provides learning of the technology of the dental practice, managing the financial aspects of a practice, and marketing their personal skills for lifelong learning so they can become an advocate for the profession of dentistry and the patients they care for.

DA106 BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES/ 5 CREDITS

This course introduces the student to anatomy and physiology of the human body and its connection to the oral cavity. This course includes an in-depth level in bloodborne pathogens and hazard communication standards. Students will have knowledge and be able to demonstrate techniques used in disinfection and sterilization, understand regulatory and advisory agencies, and maintain dental unit water lines.

DA107 LABORATORY PROCEDURES / 1 CREDIT

This course is designed to provide the learner with an understanding of the evolution and development of the science of dental materials, why the particular materials and techniques are used, and how to prepare each of the materials.

SECOND SEMESTER

DA201 DENTAL ASSISTING II / 8 CREDITS

This course places students in dental office rotations, where they will apply the skills and knowledge acquired in the classroom to competently perform dental assisting functions, including participation in four-handed chair side techniques and related dental assisting procedures. A 350-hour unpaid externship is required and students must attend periodic seminars to discuss externship experiences. This course also provides a review for the DANB CDA exam.

DA202 DENTAL SCIENCE II /3 CREDITS

This course presents the principles of pharmacology and alternative pain control. Other topics include indications for and assisting with dental implants, including surgical procedures; and components and properties of dental waxes, including obtaining bite registrations.

DA204 CLINICAL SCIENCE II / 4 CREDITS

This course provides an in-depth level in dental specialties including fixed and removable Prosthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, Periodontics, Endodontics, Orthodontics, and Pediatric dentistry. Other topics include teeth whitening and prevent and corrective oral appliances. Students will also perform three full-mouth sets of x-rays on patients.

DA208 ADVANCED FUNCTIONS / 5 CREDITS

This course is designed to help the dentist use time more effectively and efficiently by delegating the legal expanded functions to the dental assistant that are allowed in the state. These advanced functions include coronal polishing, dental sealants, suture removal, periodontal dressing, gingival retraction, provisional coverage, and placing desensitizing agents.

Courses

First Semester
Second Semester

First Semester

Courses	Credits	Hours
DA 101: Dental Assisting I	2	2 - 0
DA 102: Dental Science I	3	3 - 0
DA 103: Dental Radiology	5	4 - 2
DA 104: Clinical Science I	6	4 - 3
DA 105: Practice Management I	2	2 - 1
DA 106: Biomedical Sciences	5	5 - 1
DA 107: Laboratory Procedures	1	2 - 1
Total	24	30

Second Semester

Courses	Credits	Hours
DA 201: Dental Assisting II	8
DA 202: Dental Science II	3	3 - 1
DA 204: Clinical Science II	4	5 - 5
DA 206: Advanced Functions	5	5 - 5
Total	20

Dental Assisting Links

Student Grievance Policy

Student Grievance Policy

The student grievance policy provides a system to manage student issues against faculty, staff, or fellow students. Students desiring to discuss or file a grievance should use the following protocols:

The student shall make an appointment, within three (3) days, with the instructor to discuss the issue with the objective of resolving the issue informally.
If the grievance is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student, the student may submit the grievance in writing to the program coordinator within three days of the informal discussion.
The program coordinator shall investigate the grievance and report to the student both verbally and in writing within 7 days of receipt of the formal grievance filing.
Should the grievance not be resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student may appeal the decision to the principal. This appeal should be made in writing within 7 days of the program coordinator’s report. The principal shall investigate the issue and report to the student both verbally and in writing within 7 days of his/her receipt of the appeal letter.
Should the grievance not be resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student may appeal the decision to the superintendent. This appeal should be made in writing within 7 days of the principal’s report. The superintendent shall investigate the issue and report to the student both verbally and in writing within 7 days of his/her receipt of the appeal letter.
Should the grievance not be resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student may contact the Council on Occupational Education, 7840 Roswell Road, Bldg. 300, Suite 325, Atlanta, GA 30350.

Student Handbook

Third-Party Comments

For information on labor market trends and job outlooks in the Dental Assisting field click here.

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