Dental Admissions Criteria

 OPTION A - is for a student without a current Certified Dental Assistant credential.

Fall semester, twenty-four students are admitted to the program.

In order to be eligible for admission into the Dental Assisting Program, students must:

1. Be admitted to Grand Rapids Community College
2. Have documentation of high school diploma or GED (General Educational Development) Test.
3. Have a high school and college GPA of at least 2.3.
4. Demonstrate math competency. Math competency can be demonstrated through any one of the following ways: SAT Math subsection score of 25 or Higher, ACT Math score of 18 or Higher, Math Placement Test (ALEKS) with a score of 30 or Higher, completion of MA 98 with a grade of C or Higher.

5. Reading and writing requirement competency must be demonstrated through any one of the following ways: 

   EN 101  with a grade of C or better, or Score of 26 on ACT or 400+ on SAT within the last five years, or Blackboard essay scores of 40 or higher within the last five years.

6. Complete a preliminary criminal background check form and pass the background check.
7. Be 18 years of age when they begin the program.

OPTION B - (Advanced Standing) is for a student with two or more years of experience as a dental assistant who has passed all three portions of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and holds a current CDA credential will receive college credit for this criteria and be granted advanced standing in the dental assisting program.

Fall semester, twelve students are accepted in Option B.

1. Be admitted to Grand Rapids Community College
2. Pass all three sections of the Dental Assisting National Board Examination (DANB) and provide current documentation from DANB.
3. Contact the Dental Auxiliary Program Director, Jamie Klapp at (616) 234-4240. 
4. Present current CPR card at the Health Care Provider Level through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. Other vendors and online certification are not acceptable.
5. Must be employed in a dental office as a dental assistant. Students will complete clinical process evaluations and competencies under the supervision of their licensed dentist employer.
6. Attend mandatory orientation sessions at the beginning of the semester in which the student starts.  
7. Complete Option B Student Application Packet.

The program in dental assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation [and has been granted the accreditation status of "approval without reporting requirements"]. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission's web address is ada.org

 OPTION A - students without a current Certified Dental Assistant credential.

Fall semester, twenty-four students are admitted to the program.

In order to be eligible for admission into the Dental Assisting Program, students must:

1. Be admitted to Grand Rapids Community College.
2. Have documentation of high school diploma or GED (General Educational Development) Test.
3. Have a high school and college GPA of at least 2.3.
4. Math competency can be demonstrated through any one of the following ways: SAT Math subsection score of 25 or Higher, ACT Math score of 18 or Higher, Math Placement Test (ALEKS) with a score of 30 or Higher, Completion of MA 98 with a grade of C or Higher.

5. Reading and writing requirement competency must be demonstrated through any one of the following ways: 

   EN 101  with a grade of C or better, or Score of 26 on ACT or 400+ on SAT within the last five years, or Blackboard essay scores of 40 or higher within the last five years.

6. Complete a preliminary criminal background check form and pass the background check.
7. Be 18 years of age when they begin the program.

OPTION B - (Advanced Standing) students with two or more years of experience as a dental assistant and also hold a current CDA credential (passed all three portions of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) will receive college credit for this credential and be granted advanced standing in the dental assisting program.

Fall semester, twelve students are accepted in Option B.

1. Be admitted to Grand Rapids Community College.
2. Pass all three sections of the Dental Assisting National Board Examination (DANB) and provide current documentation from DANB.
3. Contact the Dental Auxiliary Program Director at (616) 234-4240. 
4. Present current CPR card at the Health Care Provider Level through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. Other vendors and online certification are not acceptable.
5. Be employed in a dental office as a dental assistant. Students will complete clinical process evaluations and competencies under the supervision of their licensed dentist employer.
6. Attend mandatory orientation sessions at the beginning of the semester in which the student starts.  
7. Complete Option B Student Application Packet.

The program in dental assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation [and has been granted the accreditation status of "approval without reporting requirements"]. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission's web address is ada.org.

Students are admitted to the program once a year, in the fall semester. In order to be eligible for admission into the Dental Hygiene Program, a student must:

1. Be a high school graduate or have passed the high school equivalency GED (General Educational      Development) Test.

2. Have a high school and college GPA of at least 2.3.

3. Demonstrate math competency through any one of the following ways: SAT Math subsection score of 25    or higher, ACT Math score of 18 or Higher, Math Placement Test (ALEKS) with a score of 30 or Higher, Completion of MA 98 or Higher with a grade of C or Higher.

4.  Reading and writing requirement competency must be demonstrated through any one of the following ways: 

EN 101  with a grade of C or better, or Score of 26 on ACT or 400+ on SAT within the last five years, or Blackboard essay scores of 40 or higher within the last five years.

5. Submit and release findings of criminal background check to the Health Admissions Coordinator and Dental Program Director at GRCC.

6.  Pre-Program Course Requirements - Earn a grade of C or higher within two attempts in the following courses (a withdrawal is considered an attempt):

• BI 121
• BI 122
• BI 127
• CHM 210

*Life science courses (BI 121, BI 122, BI 127, and CHM 210) must have been completed within eight years of graduation/completion of the dental hygiene program at GRCC (This includes Life Science courses that are transferred in from other institutions regardless of the date on which they are transferred).