The diploma program is a three semester program. A cohort of twelve students is chosen. It is a full-time program offered only during the day. The program consists of three general education courses and ten dental courses. Upon completion, the students are a Dental Assistant I's and can start working in a dental office. The weekly schedule varies from semester to semester. It is usually four full days with one day off each week but the day off could vary. The online portion is minimal due to the need for hands-on practice and exposure in the dental assisting profession. The program has a strict COVID protocol for students are face-to-face most of the time.
Students will be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and other infectious diseases in this program. Infection control is mandatory before working with patients and all precautions must be taken to minimize exposure. Failure to follow proper infection protocols and procedures could lead to dismissal from the program.
Students are encouraged to take the required general education (non-dental assisting) courses before entry into the Dental Assisting program:
The PSB exam information will be sent to the students by the Advisor.
To ensure measures of access, applicants have the option to taking the Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) exam to attempt to counterbalance a low GPA.
The PSB includes five sections of Academic Aptitude, Spelling, Reading Comprehension, Natural Sciences, and Vocational Adjustment.
Information on PSB, as well as exam preparation, may be found at www.psbtests.com and you may purchase a study manual at amazon (health-occupational-Secret –Study-Guide)
While the above background, drug screening, and vaccine information are not required by Isothermal Community College for either general college admission or entrance into the Dental Assisting Program, students should be aware that this information will be required by the personnel department at the students' future clinical location. Failure to provide this information to a clinical site in a timely fashion could result in a cancellation of your clinical site arrangements.
Personal health insurance is the responsibility of the student. Neither the college of the application nor clinical agencies provide health coverage for the students. Any illness or injury incurred during class, lab, or clinical during the program will be the financial responsibility of the individual student. Supplemental accident insurance through the college is available to DA students in the event of an accident while performing functions in the college or clinical settings.
Classes will be held at Polk campus (Polk Center, 1255 West Mill Street, Columbus, NC 28722) and the lab/clinical location will be at the MAHEC Building, 130 Forest Glen Road, Columbus, NC 28722). Students are responsible for arranging their transportation. Clinical locations will vary depending on the host location as chosen by the Dental Assisting Director.