Middlesex Community College, which has two campuses, is part of the Massachusetts System of Public Higher Education. It offers an associate of science in dental assisting that is a 63-credit program designed for completion within two years. Applicants must have at least a C average in high school math and biology and demonstrate English and math competency in a college placement test, among other eligibility requirements. Coursework includes dental science, radiology and practice management, plus electives in the sciences, humanities and mathematics. Students also have to take a two-part clinical program designed to provide hands-on experience in a local dental practice.
Middlesex Community College
Bedford Campus
591 Springs Road
Bedford, MA 01730
Lowell Campus
33 Kearney Square
Lowell, MA 01852
800-818-3434
middlesex.mass.edu
Located in Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College offers a 38-credit certificate program in dental assisting that students can complete within a year. Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED and are required to take a college placement test to determine math and English levels. Courses include Introduction to Oral Pathology, Anatomy of the Head & Neck, and Introduction to the Human Body with core offerings such as Dental Assisting, Dental Anatomy and Dental Materials. QCC's program also has a clinical component, and the school encourages students who are interested in a more specialized professional level of dentistry to move on to the dental hygienist program.
Quinsigamond Community College
670 West Boylston Street
Worcester, MA 01606-2092
508-853-2300
qcc.edu
Springfield Technical Community College has a 40-credit dental assisting certificate program, designed to be completed within a year constituting fall, spring and summer semesters. Ten of the 14 courses are core offerings, with the other four being English Composition, Basic Anatomy and Physiology, Fundamentals of Oral Communication and General Psychology. Before students can start taking dental courses, they must take basic English and biology courses and earn at least a C.
Springfield Technical Community College
Suite 1
P.O. Box 9000
1 Armory Street
Springfield, MA 01102
413-781-7822
stcc.edu