Dental Assistant Diploma

The diploma program is designed for those individuals who want to be in the profession of dental assisting. This degree allows graduates to take the national board exam to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). The CDA credential will be the tool utilized to apply for a license in dental assisting (LDA) with the state of Nebraska. The LDA allows for continued growth within the profession of dental assisting by allowing licensed individuals to complete additional education in expanded duties within the dental assisting scope of practice.

Below are the required courses for the program. Please contact the Program Director for more information:
Crystal Stuhr
cstuhr@southeast.edu
402-437-2740

General Education Requirements

Follow this link for a complete list of General Education Courses (GELOs) .

Take a course from one of the GELO categories below: Minimum Credits: 3

GELO #1: Speech Communication
OR
GELO #2: Written Communication

AND

Take a course from one of the GELO categories below: Minimum Credits: 3

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

Total: 6 hours

and take

ACFS 1015 - Success@SCC Credits: 1

Total: 1 hour

Dental Assisting Required Core Courses

DENT 1107 - Dental Concepts Credits: 2
DENT 1108 - Dental Sciences Credits: 2.5
DENT 1109 - Dental Materials Credits: 3
DENT 1116 - Dental Procedures Credits: 4.5
DENT 1221 - Dental Foundations Credits: 2
DENT 1222 - Oral Hygiene Credits: 2
DENT 1223 - Dental Specialties Credits: 1.5
DENT 1315 - Oral Radiography Credits: 4
DENT 1316 - Clinical Education 1 Credits: 2.5
DENT 1410 - Business Office Communication Credits: 1.5
DENT 1415 - Clinical Education Seminar Credits: 1
DENT 1416 - Clinical Education 2 Credits: 5.5

Total: 32 hours

Special Program Requirements

Submit copy of a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR card. See program Getting Started checklist for specific CPR requirements.
Submit completed Health Statement to the Health Sciences Division
A criminal background check will be required of each student in this program. Based on the background check, a student may be prevented from taking certain courses, accessing certain laboratory experiences, or completing the program. A non-refundable fee of $45 will be accessed for this CBC. Misdemeanor or felony convictions may prevent a graduate from acquiring a state license.
Students admitted to a Health Sciences program at SCC requiring a clinical rotation at a contracted healthcare facility will submit to initial drug and alcohol testing prior to the first clinical rotation. A non-refundable fee of $44 will be accessed for the drug screen.
Proof of current dental prophylaxis (teeth cleaned) verfication (within the last 6 months).
General Education required courses grade-point average (GPA) of a 2.5 minimum.

During the Program

A criminal background check will be required of each student in the 1st term of this program. Based on the background check, a student may be prevented from taking certain courses, accessing certain laboratory experiences, or completing the program. A non-refundable fee of $45 will be assessed for this CBC. Misdemeanor or felony convictions may prevent a graduate from acquiring a state license.
Students admitted to a Health Sciences program at Southeast Community College requiring a clinical rotation at a contracted healthcare facility will submit to initial drug and alcohol testing prior to the first clinical rotation. SCC will assess a non-refundable fee of $44 to student account.
Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required to graduate from the program. All DENT courses completed with a grade of 75% (C+) or higher to progress through the program.