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.

General Education Requirement

*Completion of a CODA Accredited Dental Assisting Diploma is required (approximately 33 credit hours toward AAS)

Contact your program advisor to select General Education Courses (GELOs)  from each of the following catagories which meet your program’s graduation requirement.

Take a class from each of the GELO categories listed below.

GELO #1: Speech Communication Credits:  3

GELO #2: Written Communication  Credits:  3

AND

Take classes from the GELO categories below for a minimum of 9 credit hours. 

No two classes from the same GELO category. 

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

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

Total: 60

Special Program Requirements for the AAS Degree

1. All Health Sciences program courses must be completed with a grade of 75% (C+) or higher to progress through the program.
2. The program offers web-based courses but requires in-person supervised labs at approved on SCC Lincoln campus Health Science Building.
3. A laptop computer is required for students in this program. Please ensure your computer meets the following computer system requirements:

• Age: <3 years old
• Laptop models: Windows Laptops or MS Surface Tablet Pro (Windows 10 Pro or home version)
  • NOT Recommended: Android Tablets, Apple Tablets/iPads, Windows 10 S Mode, Chromebooks
• Processor: Intel Core i5 or higher
• Ram (Memory): 4GB minimum
• Hard Drive: Solid State hard drive preferred 128 GB or higher
• Peripherals: Webcam, Headphones
• Wireless: all laptops should have wireless​​​​​​​

4. Once accepted in the program, complete required program orientation. The Program Chair will notify accepted students of date, time, and location via their SCC email address. Failure to attend and/or complete the orientation, will prevent the student from continuing in the program and their spot will be given to an alternate.

Program Admission Requirements

SCC Health Sciences utilizes a selection process of all complete applications to determine acceptance into the program.

• Applications will be reviewed when ALL requirements are submitted. 
• Applications with incomplete or missing requirements at the time of selection will not be reviewed.
• Applicants with courses in progress will not be reviewed for acceptance until the end of the term AND after the submission of all requirements.
• If an applicant is re-applying for the program, they MUST resubmit all documentation during each application period.

Selection Process Requirements:

All of following requirements must be submitted prior to a student’s application being reviewed:

1. Demonstrate Appropriate Level of Proficiency in Reading and/or Math
   • Reading: Place into ENGL 1010  or higher
   • Math: Place into MATH 1150  or higher

Proficiency can be demonstrated with placement test scores OR course completion. For details related to placement testing and to schedule a placement test go to https://www.southeast.edu/nextgenerationaccuplacer/.

2. Complete an SCC Application for the program during the application period.
   • This program admits new students for every Fall (August) and Spring (January) semester.

Application Period:

• Fall Semester: Open February 1^st to March 15^th OR until program is full.
• Spring Semester:  Open September 1^st to October 15^th OR until program is full.
• The online application for the program will remain open until the end of the application period OR until the program spots are filled.

Notification of Acceptance

• Fall Semester: After April 15^th
• Spring Semester:  After November 15^th

Upon notification of acceptance, program students will have 15 days to submit the following requirements to the Health Sciences Division via email (healthsciences@southeast.edu). 

Failure to submit the following requirements will result in a student being unable to enroll in the program and their program spot will be given to an alternate. 

It is highly recommended students complete the following requirements and submit documentation prior to notification of acceptance.

• Copy of current American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR card.