Dental Assisting (Associate of Applied Science) - Southaven

Program offered at: Southaven, Mississippi

Dental Assisting (Associate of Applied Science) Mission Statement

The Dental Assisting program prepares students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for success in an entry-level position. The program aims to guide students in developing proficiency, professionalism, empathy, and accurate technique while learning to interact professionally with dentist, coworkers, and patients.

Learning Objectives / Instructional Outcomes

The program includes general education courses covering mathematics, written, verbal, and nonverbal communications; interpersonal skills; critical thinking; the sciences; and the humanities. Learning objectives include achievement of sufficient theoretical knowledge and practical skills in which students are required to successfully complete radiological written and skills assessments.

Career Overview

The Dental Assistant makes an important contribution to the success of a dental practice as a valuable member of the dental healthcare team. The Dental Assistant’s responsibilities may include preparing patients for procedures, assisting the dentist with instrument transfer during procedures, maintaining treatment planning records, exposing and processing dental x-rays, reviewing oral hygiene and postoperative care instructions with patients, performing laboratory work, and managing such essential functions as inventory control, infection control and OSHA compliance. The Dental Assistant may also be called on to assist in the business office with filing records, preparing insurance reports, maintaining records on the computer, and scheduling appointments.

Admission to the Program and Block Transfer

Applicants to the program must be graduates of a Dental Assisting/Assistant program and:

• Graduates of the Southaven Concorde Dental Assisting/Assistant diploma program will receive 35 semester credits as a block transfer when enrolling in the Dental Assisting Associate of Applied Science program. A graduate of a Concorde Dental Assisting/Assistant diploma program is exempt from additional entrance requirements.
• Graduates of Dental Assisting/ Assistant programs from non-Concorde institutionally accredited postsecondary educational institutions recognized by the United States Department of Education may receive 35 semester credits upon evaluation of a transcript from the issuing school. In addition, non-Concorde applicants must meet all other entrance requirements as outlined in the Admissions section of this catalog.