Information Session

Program Information

Dental Assistants

Like to work with all kinds of people
Communicate easily with others
Like hands-on work
Have variety in their day
Are organized and detail oriented

Program History

Started in 1966 with 9 students
Dental Hygiene started a few years later
Currently, up to 36 students may enter class in fall

Faculty

Full Time Faculty

Sarah Bouma, RDA, CDA, BA, MPH
Marcia Nithang, CDA, BA, RDH, MSE

Jackie Kollasch, RDH, BA, MS, CDA
Program chairperson

Adjunct Faculty

Jessicca Lenehan, RDH, BS
Tina Whitver Dill, CDA, RDH
Ashley Miller, RDH, BA, MS, MPA
Kari Bemisdarfer, RDH

Program Information

This program prepares the student to be a member of the dental health team; to assist the dentist in all phases of dentistry, including:

General dentistry

Restorative – silver and white fillings
Preventive – dental cleanings, fluoride treatments

Specialty dentistry

Endodontics - root canals
Pediatric Dentistry – children’s dentistry
Periodontics – gum diseases
Oral Surgery – extractions, wisdom teeth
Orthodontics – braces

The Program Includes

Chairside procedures

Assisting both dentists and dental hygienists

Radiology

x-rays

Laboratory

Impressions, study models, bleaching trays

Business office

Dental software, common practices

Community Health Education

One presentation in community

What Can I Expect In Coursework?

About the Program

12 months for Three terms

Fall course load – 18 credit hours

(a minimum of 12 is considered full time)

Spring course load – 12-18 credit hours
Summer course load – 6-9 credit hours

Lecture
Hands on labs and clinics
In-office rotations

Semester 1

DEA 507 Principles of Dental Assisting
DEA 253 Dental Science I
DEA 256 Dental Anatomy
Dental Materials

Lecture - DHY 221
Lab - DEA 424

Lab A, B, or C

Dental Radiography

Lecture - DHY 161
Lab A, B, E, F,

Semester 2

DEA 321 Dental Radiography II
DEA 591 Dental Assisting Seminar
DEA 576 Dental Assisting Clinical
DEA 263 Dental Science II
DEA 615 Clinical Dental Assisting
DEA 702 Dental Business 0ffice Procedures
ENG 105 Composition I **

Summer Semester

DEA 297: Ethics, Jurisprudence/ Clinical Seminar*

One day a week in class (Mondays)
*Gen Eds??

General Psychology
Fundamentals of speech

DEA 577: Dental Assisting Clinical II

Three days a week in clinicals
Tuesday/Wednesday/ Thursday

An Integral Part of this Educational Program is Clinical Experience

Provided by internships in 5 different dental facilities
Contracts are required
Program directed no student preferences unless your personal dentist would like to participate
Scheduled to insure each student a comprehensive view of dentistry in various settings

Private office, hospitals, public health, specialty
Broadlawns Medical Center
Primary Health Care
VA Medical Center
Dental Connections

Professionalism Requirements

Students are expected to have a positive attitude during all rotations and get the most out of each experience
Not every clinical internship site will be in a setting you want to ultimately work in, but they will provide a valuable experience and make you a well rounded dental assistant
Once set and the dental office notified, the rotations cannot be changed

Work Advisory

Students struggle to meet the demands of the Dental Assisting Program

High course load
New language/dental terminology
Juggling responsibilities/time management

While in the Dental Assisting Program students should plan on not working at all or a light work schedule
During Spring and Summer terms, students should not plan to make it to any outside work site before 5:30 pm during their clinical internship assignments.

Graduation Requirements

A student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average throughout this program.
A grade of “F” in any course will prevent the student from continuing in the program and the course must be repeated.

Upon Graduation

Satisfy the requirements of the State of Iowa to be registered with the Iowa Board of Dental Examiners to practice as a Dental Assistant
Sit for the Dental Assisting National Board Exam

What Else Should I Know?

Program has strict grooming standards while in any course lab and at all times during clinical internships
Comply with OSHA and CDC regulations

Hair must be secured off of the neck or above the collar
No headbands, tiaras or other embellishments allowed
You will be putting your fingers in the patient’s mouth

Nails must be kept short and clean
Nails must not extend past the tip of the finger
No nail polish or fake nails allowed!!!

No piercings other than single piercing in each ear
Jewelry limited to single ¼” simple stud in each ear and watch.
NO RINGS allowed.
Tattoos must be covered by lab coat or Band-Aids
Make up and perfume must be kept to a minimum and be professional

You will be working closely with classmates as partners.

This means you MUST be able to receive all dental treatment you will be learning to perform
Inability to do so prevents a classmate from receiving their full educational experience

Attendance is a REQUIREMENT for SUCCESS!

The Dental Assisting Program builds quickly upon itself.
Missed classes are missed opportunities for learning that can’t be recaptured.

You will be dealing with diverse patient population groups, personalities and dental needs which can be challenging yet rewarding

Additional Items to Keep in Mind

You must:

have a positive attitude through all adversity
adapt well to expectations and recommendations
stay organized communicate well with faculty
be PROFESSIONAL – you are providing a service in a confidential environment
open to new experiences, ideas and practices
Not everyone can do everything well the first time
Have patience with yourself
ASK for help when your issue/concern/confusion first begins

Financial Considerations - What Will I Need?

Textbooks

New editions of our books arrive in the DMACC bookstore each summer

The list of required books is provided during orientation
Approximate cost: $1400.00

Used books may be purchased from past students, DMACC bookstore, online, or Textbook Outlet. Be careful to have the appropriate edition

Health Histories Medical & Dental Check-up

Required to be completed by your physician and dentist. Forms are handed out at orientation.
Recommended that these be completed prior to Fall semester’s start date (last week of August)

Immunization Records & Hepatitis BVaccination

A requirement for all healthcare givers
Fee involved – student’s responsibilities
You must provide proof of vaccinations to this program as they are received.
It is delivered in 3 vaccinations, several weeks apart
you must have at least 2 vaccinations before entering clinicals in January.

Approximate cost: $200?

Other required vaccinations or tests: Tuberculosis; Adult Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (Tdap); Varicella; Measles, Mumps Rubella (MMR)
COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination are not requirements for admittance into the dental assisting or dental hygiene program. However, you may be assigned to an external rotation site that requires these vaccinations.

***DMACC is not required to place students in rotations based upon vaccination status

CPR Certification

Must be a Basic Life Support class for Healthcare providers

Requirement of program
DMACC offers a class every month
Can also try

Red Cross
American Heart Association
community education or
local Fire department for classes

Approximate cost: $65-90

Uniforms

Requirement of the course
Name tags
ID Patches
Protective Eyewear
Two sets of scrubs
three lab coats

ALL white, closed toe, leather or vinyl tennis/work shoes
Can get on sale if you watch throughout the summer
Must be worn only in clinic/lab
Requirement for class 2nd week of school

Approximate cost: $300

Other Personal Protective Equipment

Provided by DMACC

Masks, exam gloves, face shields
*Utility Gloves
*Radiology Dosimeters
*Laundering Lab Coats

*Student responsible for replacement costs, if lost

Other Considerations

Other Required Considerations

Lab fees (minimum $375 dependent on each class)
Student membership in American Dental Assistant Association ($35)
Dental Assisting National Board Exam ($410)
State of Iowa
Registration fee and exam fees ($60)
Transportation costs to clinical sites

*See custom link text for approximate costs

How Can My Family Help Me In My Educational Pursuit?

Be supportive of you and understand you will be carrying a heavy load.
Be a patient in the Dental Clinic when you are in need (i.e.. radiography & coronal polish).
Help to secure community education sites if possible.

Registering for Class

The Academic Advisor will walk you through registration for Fall Courses.
You may register yourself online for courses in subsequent semesters.
Lab sizes must be kept equal and of even numbers so there may be some shuffling right at first.

Want To Contact Us Later?

Chairperson/Instructor: Jackie Kollasch, Jskollasch@dmacc.edu
Administrative Assistant Julie Benson, jrbenson@dmacc.edu
Instructor Sara Bouma, sebouma@dmacc.edu
Instructor Marcia Nithang, mdnithang@dmacc.edu
Educational Advisor Abbie Moffatt, ajmoffatt@dmacc.edu
Admissions Specialist Erica Hoskins, ehoskins@dmacc.edu
Counselor Mary McClure, mmmcclure@dmacc.edu
Dean Jeanie McCarville Kerber, jamccarville1@dmacc.edu

Information Session

Dental Assistant

Program Information

​Full Time Faculty

Adjunct Faculty

General dentistry

Specialty dentistry

What Can I Expect In Coursework?

Financial Considerations - What Will I Need?

Other Considerations

Full Time Faculty