Dental Assisting
The Dental Assisting curriculum is designed to prepare students to support dentists in providing oral health care and to serve as essential members of the dental team. Students are trained to perform chairside duties as well as selected administrative and laboratory tasks.
Mission
The Dental Assisting Program at Robeson Community College prepares students to provide safe, patient-centered care and to function effectively as professional members of the dental team. The Program emphasizes clinical skills, ethical and legal practices, communication, and life-long learning, while preparing graduates for national certification and employment in a variety of dental settings.
Career Outlook:
Dental assistants provide patient care, take x rays, keep records, and schedule appointments. Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
Average Salary:
$47,300 per year
$22.74 per hour
Admissions:
- Admission to all RCC Health Science programs is a competitive process.
- Applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 or greater in the related/general education courses by the published deadline date for submitting completed program admission packets to the Health Sciences Enrollment Coordinator. Applicants not meeting the cumulative GPA requirements will not be reviewed by the program area for admission. For the Dental Assisting Program, the GPA calculation will be based upon grades earned in the following courses: BIO 163 or BIO 168/169, ENG 111, and\or PSY 150.
- A point system is followed to evaluate health science program applications. Dental assisting applicants earn additional points based upon the following factors: academic performance, volunteerism, and professional dental experience or job shadowing. Point distribution is detailed in the Dental Assisting Admissions Packet.
- Complete the Dental Assisting program Admissions Packet by the specific deadline. Admission Packets may be printed from the Application tab on the Dental Assisting webpage.
- Students must be able to fulfill all essential functions as outlined in the health sciences admission policy.
- Provisionally accepted students must submit a criminal background check, drug screening and medical review/screen to include physical examination and immunizations. All fees associated with the criminal background check, drug screening(s) and medical review will be the responsibility of the student.
- It is the student’s responsibility to review all program materials to stay current with the program requirements, policies, and procedures. Clinic manuals are expected to be reviewed at the beginning of each semester. Students will be notified of all program, policy, and/or procedure changes in writing.
Application:
Applications for the August 2027 Graduating Cohort are being accepted now!
Applications submitted early or by the deadline receive equal consideration; no additional points or penalties are applied based on submission timing.
Submit completed admission/application packet and all supporting documentation to
Program Director: Jessica Jones | 1425B (2nd floor) | 910-272-3456
Applicants are required to submit a new application for each application cycle. Volunteer and community service hours remain valid for two years, or two consecutive application cycles.
- Program of Study
- Accreditation
- Faculty and Staff
The Dental Assisting program is a three-semester, consecutive sequence beginning in the Spring semester, continuing through Summer, and concluding in the Fall semester. Students who successfully complete all program requirements are eligible to graduate in December and receive a Diploma in Dental Assisting.
The Dental Assisting program is a 47-credit hour program consisting of 36 core credit hours with 11 related/general education credit hours.
Program Goals
The Program aims to:
- Prepare culturally competent students who value diversity and deliver respectful, ethical, patient-centered care to diverse populations.
- Develop students’ clinical competencies, including chairside assisting, laboratory procedures, radiography, and office operations.
- Promote professional, ethical, and HIPAA-compliant behavior in all aspects of dental practice.
- Equip students with the skills to collaborate effectively within the dental team and to communicate respectfully and professionally with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals.
- Encourage community engagement, oral health promotion, and participation in professional organizations.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the program are expected to achieve the following:
- At least 80% of admitted students will graduate from the program.
- At least 80% of graduates will report satisfaction with instruction, curriculum, and learning resources.
- At least 75% of graduates will pursue higher education or employment as a dental assistant within 90 days of program completion.
- At least 75% of employers will report satisfaction with graduates’ readiness, skills, and professional competencies.
Robeson Community College will apply for accreditation of its Dental Assisting Program through the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The application for accreditation is anticipated to be submitted in 2027.
Accreditation is granted by CODA following a comprehensive review process and is not guaranteed. The College will provide students with updates regarding the accreditation status of the Dental Assisting Program as information becomes available.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation may be contacted at:
Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: 800-621-8099 or 312-440-4653
Website: CODA
*Until a program receives CODA accreditation, students will graduate with a DA I status.
