Dental Assisting (A.S.)
Associate in Science
BCC Program Advisor: Chris Aylesworth, DVM
413-236-2107 • caylesworth@berkshirecc.edu
McCann Program Advisor: Michelle Racette 413-663-5383, ext. 183 • mracette@mccanntech.org
Note: Dental Assisting Studies (AHS-172) is offered only at McCann Technical School.
Dental assistants are in great demand. It is a career with security, variety, prestige and respect. Employment is expected to grow 39 percent from 2008 to 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 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 per- forms office administration tasks. Most dental assistants work in private general dental practices or dental specialty offices. Employment opportunities also exist in insurance companies and public health or hospital-based clinics.
In existence since 1962, the McCann dental assistant pro- gram has been fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation since 1972. Graduates are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification examination. Those who pass this examination may use the designation of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). Students already enrolled in the McCann program may begin taking BCC courses concur- rent with their dental assisting coursework and then continue as full- or part-time students to complete required BCC courses for the associate degree.
Other students may wish to pursue some or all of the associate degree requirements at BCC before applying to McCann for the dental assistant program. Previous graduates of the McCann program are encouraged to contact BCC for specific advising regarding the courses necessary to qualify for the associate degree.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete all program and general education credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.
Program Courses
| AHS-103 | Nutritional Awareness | 1 |
| AHS-172 | | |
| AHS-150 | Introduction to Nutrition | 3 |
| BIO-150 | Introduction to the Human Body | 3 |
| CIS-102 | Fundamental Computer Literacy | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 43 |
General Education Courses
| CHM-150 | Essentials of Chemistry | 3 |
| COM- | Communication | 3 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 6 |
| MAT-136 | Mathematics for the Health Sciences | 3 |
| PSY-107 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| - | General Education Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 21 |
General Education Elective: See footnote 2
Additional Requirements
| Core Competencies Portfolio |
4 items |
| FORUM |
4 units |
| Health/Fitness |
30 hours |
Current DANB Certification or Certification Eligibility
| Minimum grade required in each program course |
2.000 |
Minimum Cumulative Average
| Overall |
2.000 |
| Program requirements |
2.000 |
Health/Fitness: See footnote 3
Suggested Pathway to Graduation
The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.
Required
| AHS-103 | Nutritional Awareness | 1 |
| AHS-172 | | |
| BIO-150 | Introduction to the Human Body | 3 |
| AHS-150 | Introduction to Nutrition | 3 |
| ENG-101 | Composition I | 3 |
| CHM-150 | Essentials of Chemistry | 3 |
| CIS-102 | Fundamental Computer Literacy | 4 |
| MAT-136 | Mathematics for the Health Sciences | 3 |
| PSY-107 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| COM- | Communication | 3 |
| - | General Education Elective | 3 |
General Education Elective: See footnote 2
Footnotes - Dental Assisting Option
- Dental Assisting Studies are only offered at McCann Technical School in North Adams, Massachusetts.
- General Education Elective chosen from History, or Humanities and Fine Arts.
- Fulfilled by successful completion of AHS-172.