Dental assistants 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 (xrays), assists the dentist in all procedures, provides oral care instruction to patients, and performs 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.
The McCann dental assistant program, in existence since 1962, 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 aleady enrolled in the McCann program may begin taking BCC courses concurrent 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 the 64 program and general education credits, plus the additional requirements, shown below.
| Program |
43 Credits |
| AHS 172 |
Dental Assisting Studies
(see footnote 1)
|
32 |
| AHS 150 |
Introduction to Nutrition |
3 |
| BIO 150 |
Introduction to the Human Body |
4 |
| CIS 102 |
Fundamental Computer Literacy |
4 |
|
General Education
|
21 Credits |
| CHM 150 |
Essentials of Chemistry |
3 |
| COM |
Communication |
3 |
| ENG |
EnglishComposition/Writing |
6 |
| MAT 136 |
Mathematics for the Health Sciences |
3 |
| PSY 107 |
Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
| |
General Education Elective
(see footnote 2) |
3 |
| Additional |
As Shown |
| Core Competencies Portfolio |
6 items |
| Forum |
12 units |
| Health/Fitness (see footnote 3) |
30 Hours |
| Minimum Cumulative Average Overall |
2.000 |
| Area of Specialization (All Program Requirements) |
2.000 |
| Current DANB Certification or Certification Eligibility |
Suggested block for program completion
The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student's individual needs.
| AHS 172 |
Dental Assisting Studies (see footnote 1) |
| BIO 150 |
Introduction to the Human Body |
| AHS 150 |
Introduction to Nutrition |
| ENG 101 |
Composition I |
| ENG 102 |
Composition II |
| CHM 150 |
Essentials of Chemistry |
| CIS 102 |
Fundamental Computer Literacy |
| MAT 136 |
Mathematics for Health Science |
| PSY 107 |
Introduction to Psychology |
| COM |
Communication |
| General Education Elective (see footnote 2) |
Footnotes:
1. Dental Assisting Studies are only offered at McCann Technical School in North Adams, Massachusetts.
2. General Education Elective chosen from History or Humanities and Fine Arts.
3. Fulfilled by successful completion of AHS 172.
