Dental Assistant (with Expanded Duties), A.A.S.

Dental Assistant, A.A.S.

The AAS is a vocational degree with a focus on expanded duties or functions in the practice of Dental Assisting. Those individuals who have graduated from a CODA Dental Assisting Program, passed the CDA exam and become a Licensed Dental Assistant in Nebraska are eligible to complete this degree. This degree is a stackable degree, which means the diploma program credits go toward an AAS degree.

Associate Degree of Applied Science is a new program of study which has been approved by Post-Secondary Coordination Committee and Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Program General Education Requirement

*Completion of a CODA Accredited Dental Assisting Diploma is required (approximately 35 credit hours toward AAS)

General Education Requirements: Contact your program advisor to select general education courses from each of the following catagories which meet your program’s graduation requirement.

GELO #1: Speech Communication (required) Credits: 3
                 OR
GELO #2: Written Communication (required) Credits: 3

No two classes from the same area. Credits: 9
GELO #3: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
GELO #4: Global Awareness and Citizenship
GELO #5: Analytical, Quantitative, and Scientific Reasoning
GELO #6: Career and Life Skills

In addition, one of the following courses below Credits: 3

• HLTH 1050 - Dental Terminology
     
• OFFT 1150 - Basic Keyboarding
    
• BSAD 1010 - Microsoft Applications I
    

Plus, Elective Courses (cannot be a course used toward the GELO requirement) Credits: 8
​​​​​​​Recommended Courses:

• HLTH 1011 Introduction to Nursing as a Career  
• HLTH 1060 Comprehensive Medical Terminology  
• SOCI 1010 Introduction to Sociology   
• MEDA 1206 Medical Law, Ethics, and Cultural Communication  
• PHED 1610 Standard First Aid   

Dental Assisting Required Core Courses

The completion of the Advanced Dental Assisting course 

To be eligible for courses: must be a Nebraska Licensed Dental Assistant or by permission.

• DENT 1501 - Advanced Dental Assisting Skills Credits: 2

Special Program Requirements for the AAS Degree

Special Program Requirements PRIOR to the START of Dental Assistant, A.A.S. program.

Submit at the time of completing application to the Health Sciences office (Room 230):

1. Submit copy of a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR card. See Program Admission Checklist for specific CPR requirements.
2. Submit a completed Health Statement to the Health Sciences Division.
3. Submit a two-step skin test for tuberculosis and/or current chest x-ray.
4. Transcripts showing completion of CODA Accredited Dental Assisting Program.
5. Proof of Nebraska License in Dental Assisting.
6. General Education required courses grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 minimum.

Total: 60