Dental Assisting

A dental assistant is an important member of an efficient dental team providing valuable service to both the team members and the patient. An assistant aids and anticipates the needs of a dentist in intra-oral procedures, takes X-rays, prepares lab work, is responsible for disinfection/sterilization protocols, and can also perform office administration duties.

Elgin Community College's clinical dental assisting certificate program prepares students for this active role in dentistry through classroom, laboratory, and hands-on experiences in our high-tech, extraordinary facilities. Clinical practice begins in the final semester and continues for 336 hours in area general practice and specialty dental offices. Highly experienced dental professionals teach and supervise all on- and off-campus activities.

The ECC Clinical Dental Assisting Program has achieved the distinction of being accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association (ADA). Accreditation allows ECC students to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examination to become certified dental assistants (CDA) as they complete the program. Certification is recognized throughout the country as a high level of professional competence.

In addition to the clinical dental assisting certificate, current students and currently working assistants are eligible take the DEA 113 Special Projects in Dental Assisting Special Projects class for expanded functions training in coronal polishing and pit and fissure sealants.

Accreditation

The Clinical Dental Assisting Program is accredited by:
Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60611-2678
(800) 621-8099
ada.org/en/coda

Entrance Requirements

  • Proof of High School Diploma and,
    One of the following:
    • Reading: Grade of C or better in RDG 091 or LTC 099, or satisfaction of other placement criteria.  
    • Completion of Healthcare Bridge class and pass into/or be eligible to enter ESL017/ABE029/ASE030 or higher ESL coursework.   
    • HPE 112 with a grade of C or better (within 2 attempts)

Note: Students who attempt but do not meet these criteria may be offered placement in an ICAPS-supported program option.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is selective.  For more information, please see admission requirements.

Program Requirements

Students must complete all required courses with grades of C or better to be eligible for graduation. Students must provide their own uniforms, safety glasses, and transportation to and from all clinical sites.

Policies and Procedures

Students admitted to the Dental Assisting Program may be required to attend an orientation before dental assisting classes begin.

Students applying to the Dental Assisting Program must complete a criminal background check and drug testing upon admission into the program. Students demonstrating a positive background check and/or positive drug screening will be denied admission to any health professions program.

Before attending clinical training, students must have the following documentation on file: negative drug test results, negative background check, completed medical form which includes proof of immunizations/titer results, proof of health insurance coverage, and proof of CPR certification.

Health professions students will be required to update their drug test, TB test/TB survey, and flu vaccine information on an annual basis. Students demonstrating a positive drug test will be dismissed from the health professions division. The standards, policies, and procedures of the Dental Assisting Program are published in the dental assisting student handbook.