Dental assistants work closely with dentists as they examine, diagnose and treat patients. They perform a variety of duties in the treatment rooms, laboratories and business areas of a dental office. Responsibilities include preparing patients for treatment, preparing dental materials, obtaining radiographic images, performing laboratory procedures and providing individual dental health care instruction.

One of the fastest growing occupations in the country, dental assisting employment will increase by 42 percent over a 10-year period, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

The CCC Dental Assisting program is offered at the Hastings Campus. Graduates of the one-year diploma in Dental Assisting meet requirements for practice in Nebraska, including taking x-rays and performing coronal polishing. Graduates are eligible to take the voluntary Dental Assisting National Board examination to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). Licensure is not required to practice as a dental assistant in Nebraska.

By completing additional course work, students can develop the advanced skills needed to assume additional business office responsibilities in a dental practice and earn an associate of applied science degree. These courses are offered at CCC’s campuses in Columbus, Grand Island and Hastings as well as many off-campus sites.

Accreditation - The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Admissions Requirements: Please talk with an admissions counselor or see our online catalog for information about special admissions requirements for this program.  After the catalog PDF file opens, use the bookmarks feature to locate the Dental Assisting program.