The Allied Dental Services program prepares graduates for exciting career opportunities in dental-related professions. Program graduates have the option of working in a variety of general or specialty dental offices or clinics. They might work in sales or marketing with dental products companies, work for insurance companies or placement agencies specializing in the dental field.
The program is designed primarily as an associate's degree completion program for individuals who have successfully completed an accredited dental assisting certificate program. Strong employment growth projections for dental assistants and for health information systems managers suggest strong employment opportunities in this field. Completion of this program will increase opportunities for employment and continued job growth.
The Dental Office Management option prepares graduates to oversee the business operations of a dental practice. A successful dental office manager enjoys working with computers, managing multiple administrative tasks, and/or supervising people.
Upon completion of this program, graduates will be prepared to obtain employment as noted or to continue their studies at the baccalaureate degree level in such disciplines as business administration, liberal arts, or the sciences. Students interested in transferring should speak with an academic advisor to be sure that the courses selected would satisfy the requirements of the receiving institution.
This program is designed to serve as an associate's degree completion program.
A Criminal Offender Records Information (CORI) and Sexual Offender Records Information (SORI) check is required of all students accepted into the program. Finger printing may be required and drug testing will be required. All students must submit evidence of a positive Hepatitis B titer to be admitted to the program.
Specialized Health Careers Advising facilitates the entry of students to Health Care Programs. All students applying should contact Health Careers Advising at 508-854-4308.
Depending upon the option selected, a total of 30-34 credits in addition to the dental assisting certificate program are required for the associate's degree.
Additional Costs
Allied dental services students should anticipate additional expenses for uniforms/clinical wear, textbooks, professional liability insurance, licensing examinations, and any required skills remediation.
Courses
Semester 1
Clinical Science I
Dental Assisting I
Anatomy of the Head & Neck
Dental Anatomy
Dental Radiology
Dental Materials
Principles of Human Biology or Introduction to the Human Body
Semester 2
Dental Assisting Clinical Practicum
Semester 3
Clinical Science II
Practice Management
Introduction to Oral Pathology
Dental Assisting II
English Composition & Literature I
Semester 4
Financial Accounting I
Business Law I
Medical Coding and Billing
Medical/Dental Billing and Insurance
Medical Law and Ethics or
Introduction to Microcomputer Applications
Semester 5
Dental Externship
English Composition & Literature II
Human Relations in Organizations
Speech Communication Skills
Elective