Dental AssistingTechnician
Degrees & Programs Offered
Dental Assisting Technician Certificate 
Thank you for your interest in the BMCC Dental Assisting Program. We're extremely proud of the school, the program and local support we receive from dental practices throughout eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington.
The Dental Assisting Technician program began in 1965. Since that time the program has had over 500 graduates and has been continuously accredited by the American Dental Association on Dental Accreditation.
For more information about our program please contact our Dental Department at (541) 278-5876 or by email to cpatton@bluecc.edu
The program is accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education. Graduating students are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board Examinations: Infection Control, Radiation Health and Safety, and General Chairside Examination. Successful graduates receive a Certificate - Dental Assisting Technician and are eligible to apply for the Oregon Expanded Function and Radiological Proficiency Certificates.
Career Information:
Dental assistants help dentists with patient care, office tasks and lab duties. They work closely with dentists as they examine and treat patients. They make patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair. They obtain dental records and prepare patients for their exam. Dental assistants hand instruments and materials to dentists during procedures. They use suction devices to keep patients' mouth dry and clear. They also sterilize the instruments and equipment and prepare tray setups. When patients have surgery, dental assistants instruct them in postoperative care. They also teach patients about general oral health care, such as how to control plaque. In addition, they record exam and treatment information in patients's charts.
In Oregon, starting wages for certified dental assistants average about $13.23 per hour, and the median wage is $17.66. Top wages average about $18.75 per hour. Nationally, the median wage is $15.98.
Oregon has about 4,300 dental assistants. Employment is expected to grow much faster than average through the year 2018. Demand is significant.
For more information on careers, plus the current employment outlook, access the Oregon Career Information System (CIS).
2012/2013 Dental Assisting Technician: Program Admission and Pre-Admit Course Requirements
Below is a link to the list of courses required for admission to our program. Transfer students should work with a BMCC academic advisor to determine if coursework taken at a prior college and or university can be accepted towards meeting one or more these requirements.
WHEN TO APPLY:
Application Period: Monday, February 6, 2012 through 5 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
Applications received prior to February 6, 2012 or after April 27, 2012 will not be considered for priority admission purposes, however, will be considered should seats become available. Incomplete applications may not be processed or considered for admission purposes.
HOW TO APPLY:
2012-2013 Application for Admission
Be sure to attach the 2012 Certificate: Dental Assisting Technician Checklist to the front of our application materials.
This application packet includes the following forms and information about our program: a) program information, b) Intended Program Outcomes, c) Technical Standards, d) immununization information, e)Program Prerequisite Course/Placement/GPA Requirements, f) Estimated Program Costs (2011/12 programs costs) , g) application information, process and deadlines, h) criminal background Check/List of Disqualifying Offenses, and i) Program Application Form/Statement of Understanding and Compliance
For questions about admissions to this program please call (541) 278-5757 or send an email to getinfo@bluecc.edu
