Dental Assisting A.A.S.

School Year: 2024–25

Program Entry Semester: Fall 2021, Spring, Summer 2022

Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $217 (In-State), $290 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).

Fees and costs are subject to change.

To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.

Dental Assisting Diploma 

School Year: 2024–25

Program Entry Semester: Fall, Spring, Summer

Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $217 (In-State), $290 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).

Fees and costs are subject to change.

To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.

The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and has been granted the accreditation status of compliance without reporting requirements.

The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. Successful completion of the program entitles graduates to take the National Dental Assistant Certification Examination.

Students in Kirkwood's Dental Assisting program, as well as those pursuing the Dental Assisting Diploma, are encouraged to join the Kirkwood chapter of HOSA, a global student-led organization exclusively for students enrolled in health science education and biomedical science programs or have interests in pursuing careers in health professions.

HOSA is one of eight recognized members of the National Coordinating Council for Career and Technical Student Organizations (NCC-CTSO). CTSOs are co-curricular groups that help students in career and technical education programs further their knowledge and skills by participating in activities, events, and competitions.

Successful completion of this program leads to a professional licensure or certification. View the state listing guide to identify which Kirkwood program fulfills state guidelines for professional licensure and certification.

To practice as a dental assistant in the state of Iowa, a person must have worked as a dental assistant trainee or graduated from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program. In addition, they need to have applied for and hold an active dental assistant registration. Three board-approved examinations, which are part of Kirkwood’s Dental Assisting program curriculum, need to be successfully completed: Infection Control, Jurisprudence, and Dental Radiography. Graduates of Kirkwood’s Dental Assisting program are eligible to sit for these exams as well as the national Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). While Kirkwood’s Dental Assistant program can accept up to 24 students each fall and spring semester, the number of each graduating class will vary. Successful completion of the board exams, a score of 75% or better, allows students to become a registered dental assistant (RDA). For August 2024 graduates, the exam pass rate was 100% (19/19 students).

Please note that updated pass rate information will be provided when additional data is available.

Dental Assisting Diploma*

*State and federal aid may be used for the diploma on its own or as part of the degree program above.

The mission of the Dental Assisting program is to prepare students to grow into competent and ethical professionals who are assets to the field of dentistry.

Students, with guidance from program faculty, will choose three different rotations in private offices or community clinics.

1. The first rotation will be after completing clinic at the University of Iowa, College of Dentistry. This first rotation must be in a general practice type of setting in the Cedar Rapids or Iowa City area.
2. Later in the program students will complete two additional rotations in private dental offices or other community clinics.
3. The latter rotations can include offices outside the local area and can include specialty practices.

Please see the times below in which students may request to do an internship in your office. Students will need to complete anywhere from 48 - 84 hours within a dental office per rotation.

Students are required to complete three clinic rotations as part of the Dental Assisting program. Clinic I, Rotation 1 is during the second semester, and Clinic II, Rotations 2 and 3 are during the third semester.

Clinic I, Rotation 1—Hours

During your private practice externship, a total of 48 hours must be fulfilled during scheduled clinic days for Clinic I, Rotation 1. This rotation must be completed in a general dentistry office only.

Clinic II, Rotations 2 and 3—Hours

During your private practice externships, a total of 168 hours must be completed during the second half of the third semester for Clinic II, Rotation 2 and Rotation 3.  

Each rotation will total 84 hours, with an average of 32 hours a week. These rotations may be in a general dentistry office or a specialty dentistry office.

Clinical Skills

Clinical skills can only be obtained through participation and practice in each clinical setting. Any absence from the private practice office will be noted on the evaluation and attendance form submitted by the dental staff. 

Clinic Rotation Assignments

Students will be provided with clinic site locations by the clinic instructor during the course. Students are responsible for setting up their rotations based on the guidelines given by the instructor. Students will not be allowed to create their own schedule if it is not agreeable with both the instructor and the clinical site.

Attendance is mandatory. The total amount of clinical hours necessary must be completed by the end of the semester. 

If the student is negligent at their clinic and is dismissed from the clinical site, an alternate clinic site may not be available. Misconduct could be grounds for failure and potential program dismissal.

Requirements to attend Clinic I and Clinic II

1. All students must be currently certified in CPR.
2. Mandatory OSHA training must have been completed through Kirkwood and be current.
3. The student must be registered for clinic and tuition must be paid.
4. All previous or concurrent program course grades must be acceptable.
5. A current, complete physical must be on file with CastleBranch.
6. Students must have received the Hepatitis B vaccination series, as well as have a current TB test on file with CastleBranch. 
7. Students must have current insurance.
8. Students must have current background check through CastleBranch.

What preparation will students have prior to starting their private practice experience?
By the time students are placed in the offices they will have minimal clinical experience in chairside assisting and x-ray exposing. Prior to their last two rotations they will have some classroom exposure to receptionist duties.

During these private rotations we hope they will gain as much experience in these areas as possible. Adaptability and increasing chairside efficiency are our basic clinical goals.

Are students paid for their time?
Students are not to be paid during this affiliation. It is part of their training. It is necessary, however, that we have a written agreement between each office and Kirkwood Community College. If you would like to review the agreement, we will be happy to send you a copy.

What is expected of our office?
Our instructors will be communicating/visiting with your office from time to time to discuss the progress of each student. Students will be given information that they should share with the office regarding conference times and paperwork involved. They will also provide the office with a syllabus upon request.

A student evaluation will be required from the office and must be completed at the end of the rotation period. This will require you to assign a letter grade to the student. You will receive the evaluation information when the instructor comes for the clinic site visit.  

The purpose of this affiliation is to provide the students with realistic, practical experience and not just observation. Observation is a valuable tool but is not the main focus for these rotations.

What happens if I agree to provide a learning opportunity for a student?
If you volunteer to have a student, your name will be added to the list on our program website. Interested students may call your office to arrange a visit/interview.

The interview serves two purposes: 1) it provides a practice interview for the student; and 2) it provides your office an opportunity to select the student you feel you can work with. We cannot insure that every office will have a student or that there will be multiple student interviews.

If I agree to have a student will I be required to have a student anytime they call?
Dental offices are not required to have students for every rotation. Recommended dental office lists assist the student to know which offices are willing to have a student.

If offices decide never to have a student again they can contact the program and have their office removed.

Graduates with Dental Assisting degrees can obtain jobs in a variety of different career opportunities.

Explore Careers

Some of the classes may transfer; it depends on the school you choose to complete your Dental Hygiene program. Completion of the Dental Assisting program does not mean you only need to complete one more year in a Dental Hygiene program. Carefully check the requirements of the program you plan to enter.

No. The length of the program does not mean it is easy. It does mean that you are given a lot of information in a short period of time, which can sometimes make the program demanding.

Yes, it is legally possible for dental assistants to be trained on the job. However, many offices do not have the time or resources to accomplish this kind of training. As a rule, Dental Assisting graduates tend to receive a higher starting salary than someone who must be trained. No matter how a dental assistant is trained, it is always necessary to receive additional training in the office.

Yes. Students must be registered in the state of Iowa. For information on how to apply for this registration, call the Iowa Dental Board at 515-281-5157.

Yes, which is one of the many positive aspects of dental assisting. The duties vary based on the office in which you are employed.