Dental Assisting Certificate

Most dental assistants work in private dental offices. Others, however, may work in:

• Hospital dental departments.
• Public health departments.
• Dental laboratories.
• Public and private dental clinics.
• Pediatric dental offices.
• Orthodontist offices.

In the Dental Assisting Certificate you will learn through a combination of classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences. You will become prepared for the nationally recognized credential, Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). In addition, you will be prepared to take the Michigan Registered Dental Assistant exam that leads to the preferred RDA credential in Michigan. 

You can enroll in the program using one of two methods. Option A is for a student without a CDA credential. Option B 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. These students will receive college credit for the CDA credential and be granted advanced standing in the dental assisting program.

Additional Program Information

Health Admissions Process

1. Apply to GRCC
   • Submit an application as a degree-seeking student.
   • Select the Health and Exercise Sciences Pathway to identify your intent to enter a health program.
2. Apply for Health Admissions
   • Once you are a GRCC student, you complete the Health Admissions Application.
   • Select your Health program.

Need help? If you have questions about this secondary application, you can reach out directly to the Health Admissions team at healthprograms@grcc.edu to to the Nursing Department at nursingprograms@grcc.edu.

To be eligible for admission into the program, students must meet specific requirements, including completing foundational courses and maintaining a minimum grade point average. Please refer to the catalog for a full list of admission requirements.

Off-campus Instruction Disclosure