Message from the Program Director
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Dental Programs A Message from the Director
Welcome to the dental programs at Grand Rapids Community College!
Hi, I am Eve Sidney, RDH, MS the director of both dental auxiliary programs - dental assisting and dental hygiene. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to tell you just a little about each of our programs. For more specific details, please contact me at esidney@grcc.edu
Dental Assisting Program
Our Dental Assisting Program lasts 10 months and leads to a Certificate in Dental Assisting. Students start the DA program in the Fall and finish following an 8-week summer session (usually the last week of June). Graduates of the program are qualified to sit for both the Dental Assisting National Board, CDA exam to become a Certified Dental Assistant and the State of Michigan RDA exam to become a registered/licensed dental assistant. While the national CDA credential is highly regarded, the RDA is the most advanced credential available for dental assistants in Michigan. By being licensed, the Registered Dental Assistant if allowed greater latitude in professional responsibilities and job duties as well as the greatest potential for opportunities for advancement in the dental assisting field.
The dental assisting program is designed to be a full-time, daytime program. However, part time schedules can be arranged. Furthermore, by taking a liberal arts compliment of just 7 more courses, an associate degree in applied arts and sciences (AAAS) can be earned in addition to the certificate in dental assisting. This degree can then be transferred to a 4-year college for the student who wants to pursue even higher educational opportunities!
Students in the dental assisting program learn through a three-way combination of classroom, laboratory and clinical educational experiences. With small class sizes, students get a lot of individualized instruction in our state-of-the-art dental clinic and materials lab. Students enjoy many opportunities for hands-on learning, simulating and practicing a multitude of dental procedures. To refine these skills, each dental assisting student is assigned to individual off-campus dental offices for clinical practice.
Dental Hygiene Program
Our Dental Hygiene Program now takes a minimum of three years to complete. The first (Pre-dental hygiene) year consists of non-dental courses. Four of these are required pre-requisites for entering the second year when the actual dental hygiene courses begin. We highly encourage entering students to complete all the non-dental courses prior to beginning the second year. This way scheduling is much less complex and the student can focus all energies on the professional training part of the program.
At completion of the DH program, the student is qualified to sit for the Dental Hygiene National Board examination and the regional licensing exam for the State of Michigan (NERB). Upon passing both of these exams, the Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) can practice anywhere in Michigan. RDH licensure can be obtained in other states by applying through and fulfilling the requirements of the respective state boards of dentistry.
Both RDAs and RDHs are in very high demand both locally and statewide. Employment options in both career areas offer excellent wages, benefits and working conditions. Yes, both dental assisting and dental hygiene are great career choices for anyone who would like to be part of a health care team that helps people live healthier, better lives!