Dental Assisting

Dental Assisting Program

MCC Dental Assisting students performing chairside techniques in the Evergreen Park dental lab.

Program Information

Program Overview

What Do Dental Assistants Do?

Dental Assistants support dental teams with clinical, technical, and administrative duties. Responsibilities include dental charting, infection control, radiography, dental materials, restorative dentistry, endodontics, periodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatrics, prosthodontics, orthodontics, pharmacology and pain control, medical and dental emergencies, oral evacuation and instrument transfer, law and ethics, and dental office management.

What Skills Will I Learn in the Dental Assisting Program?

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• take dental radiographs (x-ray photographs);
• prepare patients and equipment for dental procedures;
• manage administrative functions and medical record-keeping;
• maintain equipment and sterilization;
• provide chairside assisting;
• take tooth and mouth impressions.

See Dental Assisting in Action

This short video highlights real Dental Assisting techniques and training in action, giving a quick look at the hands-on skills students develop during the program.

Career Insights

What Is the Career Outlook for Dental Assistants?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (B.L.S.), dental assistant employment is expected to grow by 6% from 2024–2034.

A Look Inside the MCC Dental Program

MCC Podcast S1E15: Inside Dental Assisting with Lead Dental Instructor Rigo Zavala

Curious how Dental Assisting is actually taught at MCC? In this episode of the Campus Connections Podcast, Lead Instructor Rigo Zavala explains what students are expected to learn, how those skills are practiced, and what matters in a real clinical environment.

This is a direct look at the program’s approach—from chairside techniques to patient care workflows—so prospective students can better understand how training connects to real-world dental practice.

What Does a Career in Dental Assisting Look Like?

While your training focuses on specific clinical skills, Dental Assisting is about working in a fast-paced patient care environment. This video provides a broader look at the role, including daily responsibilities, workplace settings, and how Dental Assistants support dental teams in real practice.

Training and Outcomes

What Certification Does the Dental Assisting Program Prepare Me For?

MCC’s Dental Assisting program prepares students to sit for the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification.

How Many Externship Hours Does the Dental Assisting Program Include?

The program includes 300 hours of externship experience, where students apply their training in real clinical settings. During this time, students support patient care, assist with chairside procedures, and gain hands-on experience with the workflows and pace of a working dental practice.

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