Dental Assisting, AAS
Note: This degree/certificate leads to professional licensure. Licensing requirements vary by state/territory and relocating could impact whether you will meet eligibility requirements for licensure. Please visit our Professional Licensure Programs page for full details on State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement.
Program Description
The TMCC Dental Assisting Program provides instruction in all facets of:
- Infection Control
- Chairside Procedures
- Practice Management
- Radiography
- Clinical Science
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be qualified to work as dental assistants in both private and public dental facilities. Graduates will be eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board exam to become a Certified Dental Assistant.
The Associate of Applied Science degree program includes courses designed to prepare the graduate to work in a variety of positions within the dental field. In addition to an emphasis on dental assisting education, the general education courses in the program provide a foundation on which to build professional skills in communication, problem-solving and leadership.
Accreditation information is available on the Dental Assisting Website.
Recommended Course Schedule
All courses are to be taken in the sequence indicated. A grade of 75% or better is required in all courses. Contact program coordinator for details.
| 1st semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| COM 113 | Fundamentals of Speech Communications (Level I - Fall) | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Composition I (Level I - Fall) or Composition Enhanced or Composition I for International and Multilingual Students | 3 |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| Science | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 12 | |
| 2nd semester | ||
| DA 110 | Orientation to Dental Assisting | 2 |
| DA 111 | Dental Radiography I | 3 |
| DA 112 | Dental/Head and Neck Anatomy | 3 |
| DA 115 | Dental Health Education | 1 |
| DA 116 | Preclinical Dental Science | 1.5 |
| DA 117 | Dental Materials and Techniques I | 2 |
| DA 119 | Dental Chairside Procedures | 5 |
| Semester Total | 17.5 | |
| 3rd semester | ||
| DA 121 | Dental Radiography II | 2 |
| DA 122 | Clinical Dental Science | 2 |
| DA 123 | Practice Management and Procedures | 2 |
| DA 125 | Supervised Clinical I | 5 |
| DA 127 | Dental Materials and Lab Techniques II | 2 |
| U.S. and Nevada Constitution | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 16 | |
| 4th semester | ||
| DA 135 | Supervised Clinical II | 5 |
| DA 137 | Specialized Dental Assisting | 1 |
| Semester Total | 6 | |
| 5th semester | ||
| Science | 3 | |
| Diversity | 3 | |
| Electives EPY 101 Recommended | 2.5 | |
| Semester Total | 8.5 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
Special Admission Requirements and Procedures
For program application and admission information, please visit the Dental Assisting Program Admissions Procedures page.
Program completion time varies and depends on number of units taken per semester. Please contact the Academic Program Director at 775-673-7125 for more information.
The Dental Assisting Program offers a:
- Certificate of Achievement – Can be completed in 10-12 months, see certificate worksheet.
- Associate of Applied Science – Can be completed in 2 years, see degree worksheet.
Admission to the dental assisting AAS degree program and the certificate program is limited with special requirements and procedures.
Student progression in the program is contingent upon attaining a grade of “C” or better in all dental assisting curriculum. Courses are to be taken in the sequence outlined on the worksheet.
For additional program information please contact the program coordinator at 775-673-7125, or visit the Dental Assisting Program web site.
Program Requirements
AAS degrees are generally non-transfer degrees that are designed for students to enter the workforce.
To earn an AAS degree, students must:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (see requirements for graduation.)
- Complete a minimum of 15 units within the college.
- Satisfy General Education requirements for the AAS.
- Have no financial or library obligation to the college.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Communications/English | 6 | |
Required for English: | ||
| Composition I | ||
or ENG 100 | Composition Enhanced | |
or ENG 113 | Composition I for International and Multilingual Students | |
Required for Communications: | ||
| Fundamentals of Speech Communications (Recommended) 3 | ||
or ENG 102 | Composition II | |
or ENG 114 | Composition II For International and Multilingual Students | |
| Fine Arts/Humanities/Social Science | 3 | |
Recommended: | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Human Relations | [3] | |
| Mathematics | [3] | |
| Science | 6 | |
Recommended: | ||
| General Biology for Non-Majors and Human Nutrition | ||
| Additional College Requirements | ||
| Diversity 1 | 3 | |
| U.S. and Nevada Constitutions | 3 | |
| Degree Requirements 2 | ||
| DA 110 | Orientation to Dental Assisting | 2 |
| DA 111 | Dental Radiography I | 3 |
| DA 112 | Dental/Head and Neck Anatomy | 3 |
| DA 115 | Dental Health Education | 1 |
| DA 116 | Preclinical Dental Science | 1.5 |
| DA 117 | Dental Materials and Techniques I | 2 |
| DA 119 | Dental Chairside Procedures | 5 |
| DA 121 | Dental Radiography II | 2 |
| DA 122 | Clinical Dental Science | 2 |
| DA 123 | Practice Management and Procedures | 2 |
| DA 125 | Supervised Clinical I | 5 |
| DA 127 | Dental Materials and Lab Techniques II | 2 |
| DA 135 | Supervised Clinical II | 5 |
| DA 137 | Specialized Dental Assisting | 1 |
| Electives Recommend EPY 101 | 2.5 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
- 1
See the diversity section of the general education descriptions for a complete list of courses.
- 2
All DA courses are to be taken in the time sequence indicated. A grade of “C” or better required.
- 3
Some Science courses will have additional Math or Science prerequisites, please check the specific course for prerequisites.
Program Outcomes
Students completing the degree will:
PSLO1: Perform basic side chair functions to facilitate completion of restorative and advanced operative procedures as allowed by the state dental act.
PSLO2: Demonstrate knowledge of radiation safety and proficiency in exposing, processing, and mounting dental radiographs.
PSLO3: Demonstrate knowledge of infection and hazard control in the lab/workplace.
PSLO4: Perform basic office procedures necessary to assist in managing the dental practice.
