Dental Assisting - Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)

AAS - 2 Years (NB)
Explore MoreAbout This Program

Degree Quick Facts

  • Instructional School: Health
  • Department: Health Professions
  • Program Code: DENT.AAS
  • Program Type: Career and Technical Education
  • Available Fully Online: No
  • Eligible for Federal Financial Aid: Yes

NOTE: Courses required for this program may have an additional fee; more information can be found on the Special Course Fees web page.

Degree Requirements

Course Course Title Min Credits
General Education Requirements
ENGL 101Writing and Rhetoric I (GEM 1)3
COMM 101Fundamentals of Oral Communication (GEM 2)3
GEM 3 - Mathematical Ways of Knowing course3
PSYC 101Introduction to Psychology (GEM 6)3
Select one of the following lecture/lab combinations (Recommended GE Elective): 14-5
BIOL 226
& BIOL 227P
& BIOL 227L
Human Anatomy and Physiology I Plus
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
BIOL 227
& 227L
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
CHEM 101
& 101L
Introduction to Chemistry
and Introduction to Chemistry Lab
CHEM 111
& 111L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
Major Requirements
DENT 100Dental Materials and Procedures2
DENT 102Dental Clinical Skills I2
DENT 103Dental Prosthodontic Materials and Procedures1
DENT 105Dental Clinical Skills II1
DENT 106Dental Assisting Clinical Experience6
DENT 107Dental Radiography2
DENT 107LDental Radiography Lab1
DENT 108Dental Office Management2
DENT 115LDental Assisting Pre-Clinical Lab I3
DENT 120LDental Assisting Pre-Clinical Lab II2
DENT 151Dental Theory I3
DENT 152Dental Theory II3
DENT 153Dental Theory III3
DENT 154Dental Theory IV3
DENT 225Advanced Dental Assisting Practicum6
ElectivesSelect 3-5 elective credits to bring the total credits earned to 60 23-5
Minimum Credit Hours Required60
1

This general education (GE) course is recommended by the department as the most beneficial GE option for students in this program. Please note that students may fulfill their GE requirement by completing another course from within the applicable general education category.

2

It is strongly recommended that Dental Assisting students complete HLTH 101 Medical Terminology as one of their elective choices.

NOTE: All courses listed under Major Requirements must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Degree Plan: Spring Start

The course sequence listed below is strongly recommended in order to complete your program requirements. Many Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses have prerequisites and/or corequisites that have been accounted for within this course sequence plan. Please register for your major requirements each semester as shown below using the Student Planning tool in myCWI. Consult your advisor for any questions regarding this plan.

NOTE: The required general education courses may be completed during any semester the student prefers, including summer semesters.​

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
SpringCredit Hours
Select one of the following lecture/lab combinations (Recommended General Education Elective): 1 4-5
BIOL 226
& BIOL 227P
& BIOL 227L
 Human Anatomy and Physiology I Plus
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab		  
BIOL 227
& 227L
 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab		  
CHEM 101
& 101L
 Introduction to Chemistry
and Introduction to Chemistry Lab		  
CHEM 111
& 111L
 General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab		  
DENT 108 Dental Office Management 2 2
ENGL 101 Writing and Rhetoric I (GEM 1) 3
HLTH 101 Medical Terminology (Recommended Elective) 3 3
GEM 3 - Mathematical Ways of Knowing course 3
 Total Semester Credit Hours15
Summer
COMM 101 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (GEM 2) 3
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology (GEM 6) 3
 Total Semester Credit Hours6
Fall
DENT 100 Dental Materials and Procedures 2
DENT 102 Dental Clinical Skills I 2
DENT 107 Dental Radiography 2
DENT 107L Dental Radiography Lab 1
DENT 115L Dental Assisting Pre-Clinical Lab I 3
DENT 151 Dental Theory I 3
DENT 152 Dental Theory II 3
 Total Semester Credit Hours16
Second Year
Spring
DENT 103 Dental Prosthodontic Materials and Procedures 1
DENT 105 Dental Clinical Skills II 1
DENT 106 Dental Assisting Clinical Experience 6
DENT 120L Dental Assisting Pre-Clinical Lab II 2
DENT 153 Dental Theory III 3
DENT 154 Dental Theory IV 3
 Total Semester Credit Hours16
Summer
DENT 225 Advanced Dental Assisting Practicum 6
ElectivesSelect 1-2 elective credits to bring the total credits earned to 60, if needed 1-2
 Total Semester Credit Hours7
 Minimum Credit Hours Required60
1

This general education (GE) course is recommended by the department as the most beneficial GE option for students in this program. Please note that students may fulfill their GE requirement by completing another course from within the applicable general education category.

2

DENT 108 Dental Office Management is open to Dental Assistant majors only in the Fall. In the Spring, it is open to non-majors as an exploratory course. Majors may also choose to take DENT 108 in the Spring before they begin their first full semester in the program. 

3

It is strongly recommended that Dental Assisting students complete HLTH 101 Medical Terminology as one of their elective choices.

NOTE: All courses listed under Major Requirements must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Perform supportive dental assisting tasks including preventative care instruction, infection control, and workplace safety.
  • Demonstrate skill in technical procedures and adjusting those procedures to the needs of the patient and the dentist.
  • Communicate professionally with the patients and members of the dental health team.
  • Function as a member of the health care team in an ethical and professional manner.
  • Contribute towards activities that promote dentistry in the community.
  • Recognize the need for and assume the responsibility for continuing education.