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 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.
In existence since 1962, the McCann dental assistant program 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 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.
Visit the College Catalog for Admission and Course Details
Contact Us
Lori Moon, Dean of Nursing
lmoon@berkshirecc.edu
413-236-4720
Michelle Racette, McCann Program Advisor
mracette@mccanntech.org
413-663-5383, ext. 183