Dental Assisting (A.S.)

Associate in Science

Dean Lori Moon

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 will continue to be in great demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a growth of 11 percent from 2018 to 2028. The Dental Assisting National Board reports a very high degree of job satisfaction. 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.

Degree: Associate in Science, Health Science. Concentration/Option/Track: Dental Assisting

Expected Outcomes

Information Literacy:
- Navigate rapidly growing information environment through use of digital technology, purpose-driven inquiry, and research.
- Locate, evaluate, and effectively use information from a broad range of discipline-appropriate sources.
Scientific Literacy:
- Comprehend, interpret, and present scientific data, and draw conclusions based on scientific reasoning and evidence.
- Engage in lab to understand experimental design and analyze and interpret data.
Critical, Creative, and Strategic Thinking:
- Form relevant, focused, grounded, and challenging questions that guide academic inquiry.
- Consider, analyze, synthesize, and respond to diverse viewpoints in a variety of academic settings.
- Develop innovative strategies for problem solving using original and predictive thinking.
- Work independently and collaboratively to solve problems.
- Extrapolate from known material to predict outcomes and create scenarios.
Quantitative Reasoning
- Use and develop formulas to analyze data in a variety of fields and real-world situations.
- Translate English into mathematical expressions, equations, and inequalities.
- Solve equations for an unknown quantity in order to understand complex situations.
- Analyze and interpret the relationships among data sets via graphs, tables, and equations.
Written and Oral Communication:
- Write with clarity and purpose, demonstrating an awareness for rhetorical context and audience.
- Present clearly reasoned and persuasive academic arguments with effective use of evidence in a variety of discipline specific formats.
- Effectively and constructively communicate ideas in individual, small, and large group settings.
Global Awareness and Historical Context:
- Demonstrate knowledge of world cultures and histories.
- Cultivate familiarity with major artistic, philosophical, and literary movements throughout history.
- Develop a sense of personal awareness in the context of historical movements and structures and their influence on contemporary live.
- Develop a foundational understanding of physical, emotional, psychological, and intellectual wellness

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	Dental Assisting Studies	32
AHS-150	Introduction to Nutrition	3
BIO-150	Introduction to the Human Body	3
CIS-102	Fundamental Computer Literacy	4
Total Credit Hours:		43

AHS-172: See footnote 1. AHS-172 is only satisfied through successful articulated transfer.

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

Required

AHS-103	Nutritional Awareness	1
AHS-172	Dental Assisting Studies	32
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.