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Dental Assisting

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Program Overview

The Dental Assisting program prepares you to assist a dentist at chair side, perform receptionist and clinical functions, and carry out selected dental laboratory work as a dental assistant. You will gain knowledge and skills in:

  • Dental terminology
  • Preventative and oral health education
  • Oral and dental anatomy
  • Digital dental radiography
  • Dental procedures
  • Computerized charting and record keeping
  • Dental equipment and materials
  • Infection control

Hands-On Learning Opportunities

  • Dental Clinic: Train in the state-of-the-art clinic featuring 18 patient chairs, computerized patient record software, and a complete digital X-ray system under the supervision of licensed dentists and dental professionals.

  • Clinical: Gain 320 hours of real-world work experience ensuring you have the skills you need to succeed in your future career.

Certification and Licensure

Graduates are eligible to take the national and state/regional examinations for licensure, which is required to practice in any state. A social security number is required to take the exams and apply for licensure.

Accreditation

The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. Allied Dental Professions graduates are eligible to take necessary Examinations of their choice. Successful completion of board examinations is required to receive a license to practice in the State of Iowa.

Commission on Dental Accreditation
American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312-440-4653

www.ada.org/en/coda

Policy on Third Party Comments [pdf]

Board Pass Rates

Total Students in Program: 15

* No report yet available
Examination
Dental Assisting National Board Certified Dental Assisting Exam
(Not required by Iowa)
 Taken *
Passed *
Iowa Dental Board Radiology
(Required by Iowa)
 Taken 15
Passed 15 (100%)
Iowa Dental Board Infection Control
(Required by Iowa)
 Taken 15
Passed 15 (100%)
Iowa Dental Board Jurisprudence for Iowa License
(Required by Iowa)
 Taken 15
Passed 15 (100%)
Job Placement as of July 1, 2019 14 (93 %)

At A Glance
Award
  • Diploma
Length of Study 1 year
Program Start Fall
Tuition-Free Eligible

This program qualifies for the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship and will pay up to 100% of your tuition.

Students must apply for and be awarded the Last-Dollar Scholarship.
 

Faculty Spotlight

Danielle Luhring, CDA, RDH, BHS-DH

Danielle is a 2004 graduate of the Dental Assisting program and a 2006 graduate of the Dental Hygiene program, both here at Hawkeye. In 2017, she received her bachelor's degree in Health Sciences-Dental Hygiene from Allen College. Also, Danielle is an Inaugural Author for Today’s RDH, an online dental hygiene publication and continues to practice as a clinical dental hygienist during the summer months.

Prior to becoming a full-time instructor, Danielle was an adjunct instructor, and she continues to teach in the Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs. Prior to working in education, she was a clinical dental assistant from 2004-2006 while in hygiene school and became a clinical dental hygienist in 2016.

Danielle grew up in the Des Moines area, before meeting her husband and moving to the Cedar Valley. They are raising four children on the family's Century Farm. Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, caring for their animals, playing rec volleyball and softball, and vacationing.

"I became interested in teaching while still in school here at Hawkeye," said Danielle. "I enjoy making connections with students, and I hope I ignite a passion for dentistry that helps them achieve their professional goals."

Meet the Dental Assisting Team

Graduate Spotlight
Brianne Martin

Brianne Martin knew she wanted to do something in the medical field, but it wasn't until she spent time shadowing a family friend that she decided dental hygiene was for her. She first completed her Dental Assisting degree, and now she’s finishing Dental Hygiene and a bachelor's in public health from Allen. "The most rewarding part is being able to get so much out of the five years I've been here," she said. "I was able to get three degrees in five years."

Graduate Spotlight
Alyssa Hertges

Alyssa Hertges did her research before coming to Hawkeye Community College. The Decorah native quickly learned Hawkeye was the place to go for Dental Hygiene. Seats in the program were in high demand, so she started in Dental Assisting, gaining many crossover skills that complemented both fields. Now a double Hawkeye graduate, she's already thinking about returning someday as an instructor. "I want everybody to experience something that they love doing."

Program Pathway

Dental Assisting Diploma

Program Details

Award Diploma
Credits 47
Program Start Fall
Number of Terms 3
Time to Complete 1 year
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Dental Assisting – Diploma
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Program Courses

Term 1
  • Chairside Assisting I
  • Dental Anatomy
  • Dental Materials I
  • Dental Radiography
  • Orientation to Dental Assisting
Term 2
  • Assisting Clinic I
  • Chairside Assisting II
  • Dental Materials II
  • Dental Office Procedures
  • Dental Sciences
  • Dental Specialties
Term 3 – Summer
  • Dental Assisting Clinic II
  • Dental Assisting Seminar

Dental Assisting program students are required to complete background screenings, including a criminal background check, sex offender registry, child abuse registry, and dependent adult registry before participating in clinicals. The outcome could possibly affect your opportunities to participate in the clinical setting.

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

You have completed the Dental Assisting diploma program. Check out the Health continuing education courses to keep up to date in your profession.

Careers

Positions

Graduates can be employed in many dental career areas, including:

  • Private or group practice
  • General dentistry or specialty practices
  • Dental schools
  • Federal government dental facilities

Example Careers and Average Wages
Entry Average Experienced
Dental Assistants $35,600 $44,700 $49,200

Source: 2021 Iowa Wage Report, Iowa Workforce Development

Employers

The following is a partial list of employers who have hired graduates from this program:
Business Location
Delta Dental of Iowa Johnston, IA
Dental Associates of Manchester Manchester, IA
Henry Schein Dental Melville, NY
Iowa Department of Public Health Des Moines, IA
Kimball & Beecher Family Dentistry Waterloo, IA
Patterson Dental Supply, Inc. Des Moines, IA
Peoples Community Health Clinic, Inc. Waterloo, IA

Program Admission

STEP #1: Apply at Hawkeye

  1. Apply for admission at Hawkeye.

  2. Send official transcripts to Admissions.

STEP #2: Demonstrate College Readiness

In order to be eligible for the Dental Assisting program, all students must meet minimum score requirements and/or successfully complete the required college success courses in English, reading, and math with a C- grade or higher at Hawkeye Community College or comparable courses at another accredited college. For appropriate college success course placement, work with your program advisor.

Minimum score requirements
ACCUPLACER COMPASS ACT ACCUPLACER Next Generation GPA
Math ← Basic Skills Competency in Math →
Reading 76 82 19 251 2.80
Writing 64 Sentence Skills 41 16 240 2.50

STEP #3: Program Acceptance

Applicants successfully demonstrating college readiness criteria are eligible for acceptance.

Applicants falling short of successful demonstration of college readiness criteria will be accepted to a Pre-Program. As a pre-program student, you will begin with general education and prerequisite classes. An advisor will help you create an academic plan to meet your program admission requirements. Once you have completed your pre-program coursework contact Admissions.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Program Contacts
Admissions
Email Admissions 319-296-4000 Hawkeye Center 114
Dental Administrative Chair
Emily Boge Email Emily Boge 319-296-4302 Grundy Hall 124
Academic/College Success Advisor
Last Names A – L
 Meredith Brood Email Meredith Brood 319-296-4014 ext.1048 Tama Hall 123A
Academic/College Success Advisor
Last Names M – Z
 Vic Palmer Email Vic Palmer 319-296-4014 ext.1481 Hawkeye Center 208H
Faculty Advisor
Last Names A – M
 Judy Poland Email Judy Poland 319-296-2329 ext.1352 Grundy Hall 129
Faculty Advisor
Last Names N – Z
 Danielle Luhring Email Danielle Luhring 319-296-2329 ext.1748 Grundy Hall 131
Administrative Assistant
Vickie Bogart Email Vickie Bogart 319-296-4010 Tama Hall 110
Dean
Troy Moran Email Troy Moran 319-296-4457 Tama Hall 110B

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