Program applications received after the March 15 deadline will only be reviewed and considered if there are open seats in the program.
Steps to apply
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- Complete an online application (All students on a visa, DACA or undocumented must fill out an international application)
- If you have a disability, see Disability Support Services (DSS)
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Send official college and university transcripts to the Metropolitan Community College, Data Center
Request to have all official College and University Transcripts sent to the Metropolitan Community College Data Center.
If classes were completed at MCC, an MCC transcript is not required.
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Check out and apply for types of aid available to MCC Students
- Check out scholarships, A+ benefits and loans available to MCC students
- Apply for aid and complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Review Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
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Prior to applying to the Dental Assisting program, please complete the following
- Complete the following courses
- Complete the prerequisite course before applying to the Dental Assisting program
- ENGL 101 Composition and Reading I
- Complete the following Corequisite courses before applying or be currently enrolled
- DENA 100 Introduction to Dental Assisting
- Complete or be enrolled in the following General Education Courses
- COMM 100 Fundamentals of Speech
- PSYC 140 General Psychology
- Complete the prerequisite course before applying to the Dental Assisting program
- Complete placement testing by the application deadline. Registration is required through
Testing Services! Visit the testing webpage for registration and information on scores.
- If testing is complete, please enter your testing information on the ACT or Accuplacer Test Scores page and submit scores to the MCC Data Center.
- Complete a resume including your work experience, high school that you attended, colleges/universities
that you attended, awards and honors that you have received, and any experience in
the dental field or as dental assistant. You will submit your resume when you apply
to the program.
- Create a typed 250 to 300 word essay (double spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins)
addressing the following content. The paper will be evaluated for writing skills and
will impact your selection for the program. You will submit your essay when you apply
to the program.
- Your definition of Dental Assisting and your reasons for choosing the field. Include which areas of Dentistry you are interested in, any experiences you have had with Dental assisting either personally or professionally, also why you feel you would be a good candidate for the field of DA and the program. Use information you gained from DENA 100 as well as your own research to write this section.
- Your well-developed plan for managing your time while in the program. How will you
juggle work, family and school if needed to ensure that your coursework and fieldwork
are given full attention. How will you study and prepare for the classes?
- Have a minimum GPA 2.5 for admission
- Fill out the Curriculum Checklist included in the application packet by identifying the courses you have taken and the grade you received in each course. You will submit your curriculum checklist when you apply to the program.
- Complete the following courses
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Apply to the Dental Assisting Program (Once you have completed steps 1-3, then you are ready to apply to the program.) You can apply to the program by using the following application:
Apply to the Dental Assisting Program
All the applicants will be invited to the interview with the selection committee before the Spring break. Interviews will be performed before the end of March.
If you require advising, please contact a MCC-Penn Valley Student Success Advisor at 816.604.1000 or email pv.advisor@mcckc.edu to discuss your needs.
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Complete a Dental Assisting in-class or in-lab observation and application review process with the Dental Assisting Program Coordinator. Observations must be within the past six months of the application deadline.
Observation opportunities are available during normal class hours 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
To secure a date and time for an observation email Hema Udupa.
Note: We except you to attend an hour long of either a lecture or a lab course and complete the observation form you have received. The completed observation form can be turned in with your completed application form to the Dental Assisting Program Coordinator during your application review following the observation.
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A valid e-mail must be provided on the application, as students will be informed of their application status with the program via e-mail.
Students can expect to learn of their acceptance or non-acceptance within 5 weeks after March 15th.
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Students accepted into the DA Program are invited to a MANDATORY orientation mid-April.
Do not try to enroll in any course prior to this orientation session.
At the orientation session, students will:
- receive the summer class schedule for the Dental Assisting Program,
- information regarding Castle Branch/Immunization requirements,
- list of textbooks for the DA program,
- place order and pay for the DA program uniform/scrubs and safety glasses.
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Dental Assisting Program related additional information such as Criminal background checks, Drug Screen policy, Infectious Disease Policy, Immunization/Titer Requirements etc are available in the Dental Assisting Program Application Packet (PDF).
Personal qualities
Characteristics of a successful dental assistant include but are not limited to: take and follow direction under stressful situations; multitask with attention to detail and organization; work collaboratively as part of a team; and possess a stable, responsible and caring temperament.
Essential functions
Manual dexterity, bilateral control and quick response to directions.
Students can choose between a one-year certificate and a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S.). You will build your skills through extensive lab and hands-on training at community clinics, private practices and the UMKC School of Dentistry.
Students will be prepared to enter the workforce as a trained dental assistant and certified expanded-function dental assistant and will be eligible to take the national certifying examination given by the Dental Assisting National Board. Learn more about the job of the Expanded Function Dental Assistant and its requirements in the states of Missouri and Kansas.
Frequently asked questions
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The best way to find out more information is to come visit us. Call 816.604.4232 to schedule your visit. You can see our state-of-the-art facility and get your questions answered by our coordinator or one of our program instructors.
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The cost of the entire degree and program course fees for an in-district student is approximately $9,100 - $12,000. That includes the pre-requisites and general education classes that students take prior to starting the program. Learn more about MCC's current tuition rates and lab fees.
For additional cost incurred in the program, such as books, criminal background check, drug screen etc, refer to program costs.
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The program specific courses are the same for the certificate and the degree. The only difference will be in gen ed course requirements.
All courses required for our dental assistant certificate program are also required for the associate degree, making it easy to continue your education.
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Our program features 300+ hours of hands-on training at both community dental clinics and at the UMKC School of Dentistry. At UMKC, you'll work alongside dental students, providing care to actual patients.
In addition, students admitted in our program will be offered training in expanded function dental assistant duties from the Missouri dental board in four categories: Restorative I, Removable Prosthodontics, Fixed Prosthodontics and Orthodontics. For more information visit moefda.org.
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A dental assistant works directly with the dentist. Duties vary according to the state and include:
- setting up for various dental procedures,
- suctioning,
- transferring of instruments and mixing materials.
A dental assistant also takes radiographs, impressions and provides patient education.
A dental hygienist's duties include cleaning teeth, providing local anesthesia, performing nonsurgical periodontal therapy as well as performing head and neck examinations.
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In one word: terrific! There is a labor shortage, and dentists are always looking for well-trained dental assistants. In fact, most of our students already have jobs by the time they graduate.
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The deadline for applications is March 15. Students can expect to learn of their acceptance or non-acceptance within 5 weeks after March 15.
The letter will inform you the date of the mandatory program orientation that is held in April prior to the first day of school. Students not accepted into the program should contact Student Success Advising or the Health Science Institute to determine next steps.
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The program is full-time with classes meeting during the day all days of the week, excluding evenings and weekends. The program requires full-time attendance.
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HLSC 100 is required for all students who have not already completed at least 12 college credits with at least a 2.0 GPA.
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The three-semester program begins in June, and students graduate in May of the following year.
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Yes, to be considered for the next year you would need to reapply to the program.