Dental assistants not only help the dentist during dental procedures, but they also prep the patient, sterilize and disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials during procedures and support office management.
MCC's Dental Assisting program is the most established program in the area and accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation in the KC area. It has a good reputation for quality graduates and consistent 100% success rates on the national dental assisting board exam.
Join us at one of our monthly informational session about MCC-Penn Valley’s Dental Assisting Program. You will learn about admission requirements, pre-requisite courses, the duration of the program and more!
Register for an information sessionJoin MCC Dental Assisting program students in class and observe an in-class lecture or lab. Open sessions are available in most dental assisting classes and labs.
This introduction course introduces students to basic dental terminology, the roles of the dental assistant and members of the dental health team, scope of dentistry, and the legal and ethical responsibilities of a dental health care worker.
Additional steps are required for acceptance into this program beyond the standard MCC admission application. The program accepts a new cohort of students every spring that begins during the summer semester.
Admission instructionsThe program in dental assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements.”
The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312.440.4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: coda.ada.org.
The Dental Assisting Program is a three-semester program that begins in June and accepts approximately 18 students per class.
According to the O-Net online, annual wages for entry level dental assistants is $59,200. A certified dental assistant who have passed national board exam can practice as Expanded Function Dental Assistants in Missouri can receive more salary annually than entry-level DAs due to their advanced skills sets.
Visit Occupational Information Network (O*NET) to view salary information, employment outlook and personal characteristics needed for this career.
Students will sit for the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) as part of the program.
The Infection Control (ICE) and Radiation Health Safety (RHS) examinations are taken at the end of the fall semester, and the General Chairside (GC) examination is taken at the end of the spring semester.
Successful completion of this examination allows program graduates to use the professional credentials CDA, Certified Dental Assistant
Scholarship application deadlines: October 15 for Spring awards and February 15 for Fall awards.
MCC provides plenty of sources to fund your education, including federal aid, loans, state aid, veterans benefits and more. For information, contact the MCC-Penn Valley financial aid office at 816.604.1000. Apply for financial aid 6-10 months prior to enrollment. MCC scholarship application deadline for the fall semester is March 1.
Tuition | DA CERTIFICATE 55 credit hours W/FEES ** |
---|---|
In-district $121/credit hour |
$6,655 |
Out-of-district/Metro rate $237/credit hour |
$13,035 |
Out-of-state/International $320/credit hour |
$17,600 |
TUITION | DA AAS 75 CREDIT HOURS W/FEES ** |
In-district $121/credit hour |
$9,075 |
Out-of-district/Metro rate $237/credit hour |
$17,775 |
Out-of-state/International $320/credit hour |
$24,000 |
Program Fees* | DeaA CERTIFICATE |
Textbooks (used/new) | $500 - $850 |
Safety Glasses (2 sets) & Uniforms (2 sets) | $112-$125 |
CBC/FCSR/Drug Screen/Document Services | $116 |
Immunizations | Costs vary |
ADAA student insurance membership with insurance | $45 |
*Approximate subject to change.
** Course fees ~2850 (Tier 3 disciplines - automotive technology, dental assisting, utility lineman and surgical technology - Tuition plus $150 program fee per course)
Total Approximate Cost of the Dental Assisting Program (In-District):
DENA AAS=$9,075
DENA Certificate=$6,655
Time frame | Student Data | Number of Qualified Applicants | Number of Students Enrolled Goal Class Size=18 | Number of Students Enrolled | Number of Graduates (Completers) Completers Required=15 | Retention Percentage Retention Required= 80% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
June 2020 - May 2021 | 2021 completers | 23 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 88% retention |
June 2021 - May 2022 | 2022 completers | 23 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 88% retention |
June 2022 - May 2031 | 2022 completers | 17 | 17 | 10 | 10 | 100% retention |
Time frame | Graduate data | *Job Placement Percentage (to include related field or continuing education) Required percentage=Not for DA acced. |
*TSA Pass Rate Results (Certification/Licensure) Number of Students Who Took the Exam/ Number of Students Who Passed the Exam Required NO pass rate on the CST |
TSA Results (Average Scores) | *Employer Survey Return Rate Required= 50% | *Graduate Survey Return Rate Required= 50% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year one June 2020 - May 2021 |
Class of 2021 | Employed related 100% | RHS 14/14 = 100% ICE 14/14 = 100% GC 13/14= 93% |
Program Average= 100% National Average=80% 3 segments combined |
80% RETURN RATE 90%Employer satisfaction |
99% Return Rate |
Year two June 2021 - May 2022 |
Class of 2022 | Employed related 93% | RHS 14/14 = 100% ICE 14/14 = 100% GC 14/14= 100% |
Program Average=100% National Average=82% 3 segments combined |
90% RETURN RATE 90% Employer satisfaction |
92% Return Rate |
Year three June 2022 - May 2023 |
Class of 2023 | Employed related 100% | RHS 14/14 = 100% ICE 14/14 = 100% GC 14/14= 100% |
Program Average=100% National Average=81% 3 segments combined |
Collection in progress |
100% Return Rate |
Apply to MCC today!