Dental Assistant Program

The dental assistant program at Northwestern Michigan College prepares students for a career in a dental office, dental supply manufacturer, hospital dental department, or insurance company. The program focuses on preparing patients and equipment for dental procedures, and office administrative functions. Program courses include: medical record-keeping, general office duties, reception and patient intake, scheduling, equipment maintenance and sterilization, basic radiography, pre and post-operative patient care and instruction, chairside assisting, taking tooth and mouth impressions, and supervised practice. Get more details below including other Michigan colleges that offer dental assistant program.

The Dental Assistant program at NMC is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation for more than 60 years.

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Northwestern Michigan College (NMC)

1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI

History

Northwest Michigan College, located in Traverse City, Michigan, was founded in 1951 to serve residents of Grand Traverse County. The school has an annual enrollment of approximately 5100 per year, and offers a variety of educational and career oriented programs for residents of its service area. The school operates a two branch campuses, one at Grand Traverse Bay and the other at Cherry Capital Airport. These campuses are home to programs and facilities unavailable at the main campus and provide extended services and support for resident. The school also maintains an observatory and the radio station WNMC-FM, which began operation as a student organization on campus.

Academics

Northwest Michigan College offers a large number of that focus on various areas of study and allows students to choose the one that is right for them, either academically or professionally.

Academic transfer is accomplished by completing the first two years of a four year education, followed by the application to four year colleges universities to transfer earned credits and complete the final two years of study, eventually earning a bachelor's degree. Students wishing to transfer to public schools in Michigan will have the process eased through agreements in place that allow for admission if certain academic prerequisites are met. Individuals transferring to out of state or private schools will have to meet the varying transfer requirements of individual schools and should consult with a counselor to develop a curriculum that assists in matching such requirements.

Career training and technical programs provide education in a given field, and provide the development of the specialized skills and abilities necessary to enter the workforce as qualified professionals.  Courses are taught in both traditional classrooms and simulated environments, with simulated environments used to master necessary skills while under the supervision of experienced specialists and instructors. Such programs take between one and two years to complete and result in a certificate or associate degree that demonstrates competency.

Programs offered include:

• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Communications
• Criminal Justice
• Liberal Arts

Admissions and Financial Aid

Northwestern Michigan College is a public, two year, open enrollment institution that allows any individual admission once they have completed an admissions application, supplied all previous transcripts, provided standardized test scores if available, and taken a placement exam prior to registration if necessary. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older. Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to discuss goals, program enrollment and curriculum, and should participate in orientation to familiarize themselves with the campus.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is used by the school to determine the extent of a student's financial need and their aid program eligibility when constructing a financial aid packet. Aid must be reapplied for prior to the start of each academic year.

Students Enrolled in the Dental Assistant Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. NMC has offered the following academic levels for students:

• Less Than Two-Year Award
• Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

Dental Assistants

Description

Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, dental assistants employment is expected to grow at a rate of 18.4% from 2014 to 2024

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).