Dental Assisting

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Step into the world of dental care at Ozarks Tech! In our dental assisting program, you will learn how to help dentists with patient care and dental procedures. You will:

  •  Assist with chairside care
  • Teach patients about oral health
  • Perform lab work needed for dental treatments

Our program prepares you to take the national exam and become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). This is an admission-based program. A separate application process is required to enroll. View the Dental Assisting application details. View the Dental Assisting application details.

The Ozarks Technical Community College Dental Assisting Program is the only program in Southwest Missouri accredited by the (CODA) of the American Dental Association.

Sarah Smith
Dental Assisting Program Director
417-447-8832

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Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) 211 East Chicago Avenue; Chicago, IL 60611 800.232.6108 www.coda.ada.org

 

OTC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Our current accreditation status with the HLC is displayed on the page linked below. Our next comprehensive evaluation will be in 2030-2031. View more information on OTC accreditation.

Program Outcomes

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The Dental Assisting Program is a selective admission program, and admission is determined by a points-based system. Points are awarded on the grades made in the general education classes, Bennett, Wonderlic, and Pegboard scores, completion of clinical observation hours, and residency status. For additional information, visit the Candidate
Selection Form on the DAS Admission Information webpage.

 

General Admissions to Ozarks Tech

Admission to Ozarks Technical Community College is open to all individuals who can benefit from its educational programs. A focus of the college mission is on the academic, career and personal goals of the student. OTC may admit you as a First-Time student just completing their high school, GED or HiSET requirements or as a Transfer student coming from another institution finishing up a certificate or degree. For more information, visit OTC Admissions.

Wondering how you’re going to pay for college? At OTC, we believe that cost shouldn’t be a barrier to earning a degree. Our staff will work with you to make a financial plan. To browse the resources available to you, see paying for college.

At Ozarks Tech, we want your transfer process to be easy. We accomplish this goal through articulation agreements. These agreements are an official partnership to match coursework between schools. This gives you a more seamless transition from Ozarks Tech to a four-year institution.

We have established an agreement for this program. This will simplify the transfer of your credits to partner schools. To understand how this degree will transfer, review the current articulation agreements. Be sure to consult with your transfer school to ensure you’re on the right path toward completing your four-year degree.

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COSTS & OPTIONS

CREDENTIAL TYPE
PROGRAM
FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO:
LENGTH OF PROGRAM
COST*

Associate of Applied Science

Dental Assisting
  • Earn dental assisting licensure
  • Work in a private practice or public healthcare clinic as a dental assistant
  • Supplement your training with cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills gained in general education courses

61 credit hours
4 semesters

$13,598.00*
to
$17,224.00*

Certificate of Achievement

Dental Assisting
  • Earn dental assisting licensure for a state that does not require an associate degree
  • Work in a private practice or public healthcare clinic as a dental assistant
  • Expand their knowledge of base for a current position in dental health

39 credit hours
2 semesters

$9,614.00*
to
$11,888.00*

Short-Term Training

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Accelerate your career with OTC's short-term training courses. Gain valuable skills in as little as just weeks and unlock new opportunities for success. View courses. 

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Varies by course

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PROGRAM DETAILS

Clicking on the options below will provide overview information, course sequences (when applicable), and specific course descriptions. To see a full catalog of all the offerings at OTC, visit catalog.otc.edu.

Dental Assisting (A.A.S.)

A.A.S. Degree: 61 Hours

The dental assisting profession offers a variety of career opportunities in a general or specialty dental offices. Dental assistants often spend much of their day working closely with patients and dentists. OTC's dental assisting program strives to provide opportunities for students to discover their talents and abilities and to achieve individual excellence.

The dental assisting program is a selective admission program. A separate application process is required for acceptance into this program.  Upon acceptance, the students may take the "program specific courses." Graduates receive a certificate or an Associate in Applied Science degree designed to prepare them for the national certification exam, administered by The Dental Assisting National Board and the Missouri Expanded Function Permits, issued by the Missouri Dental Board.

A grade of "C" or better is required for all dental assisting program required courses.

A new class begins each fall and spring semesters. The application deadline for the program is June 15 for the fall start and October 31 for the spring start.  Additional information may be found on the Application Packet webpage link found on the Dental Programs webpage.

The dental assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association located at 211 E Chicago, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60611. 800.232.6108  https://coda.ada.org/

 

The Missouri Department of Higher Education has identified a common set of general education courses that have been adopted statewide. These courses are called the "CORE 42."  CORE 42 courses are guaranteed to transfer to any Missouri public college or university to satisfy general education requirements.

Courses in knowledge areas below, designated with the CORE 42 logo indicates courses in that area have been evaluated and provided a MOTR number for transfer to all Missouri public institutions of higher education.

Courses that do not have this designation may still transfer to public and private colleges and universities in Missouri and elsewhere, but students are encouraged to check the transfer equivalency website of the institution to which they plan to transfer to confirm.

Please refer to the MDHE Core Transfer Curriculum for detailed information on CORE 42 courses.

The 6 elective hours for this category can consist of any course numbered 100 or higher from any area of study that a student is eligible to enroll.

Dental Assisting Certificate

Certificate: 39 Hours

The dental assisting profession offers a variety of career opportunities in a general or specialty dental offices. Dental assistants often spend much of their day working closely with patients and dentists. OTC's dental assisting program strives to provide opportunities for students to discover their talents and abilities and to achieve individual excellence.

The dental assisting program is a selective admission program. A separate application process is required for acceptance into this program.  Upon acceptance, the students may take the "program specific courses." Graduates receive a certificate or an Associate in Applied Science degree designed to prepare them for the national certification exam, administered by The Dental Assisting National Board and the Missouri Expanded Function Permits, issued by the Missouri Dental Board.

A grade of "C" or better is required for all dental assisting program required courses.

A new class begins each fall and spring semesters. The application deadline for the program is June 15 for the fall start and October 31 for the spring start.  Additional information may be found on the Application Packet webpage link found on the Dental Programs webpage.

The dental assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association located at 211 E Chicago, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60611. 800.232.6108  https://coda.ada.org/

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*Notices and Disclaimers

*Costs displayed are based on current tuition and fee rates for the program’s required credit hours, as approved by the OTC Board of Trustees, and are subject to change without notice. Estimates reflect both in-district and out-of-district residency rates. Actual costs, degree completion time, and credit requirements may vary based on residency, prior credits, elective courses, program updates, and enrollment factors. For additional information on attendance costs, visit Cost of Attendance, tuition and fees or contact us at 417-447-6900.

**Graduation rates vary by individual. For details on program enrollment, retention, exam/certification, and employment rates, visit Student Outcomes / Student Right-to-Know. Some careers on this list may require additional education and training. For program-specific accreditation visit OTC Accreditation.