Dental Assisting Admissions

Support dental teams, assist patients, and handle administrative tasks in a respected, versatile field. Opportunities are available in private practices, hospitals, and more. The application deadline is June 1st. 
Transcripts

Official high school transcripts or official GED transcript/diploma (graduation date must appear on transcript).

Official transcripts from all previous colleges must be submitted prior to the deadline date with a Transcript Evaluation Request form (website prairiestate.edu).

Accomodations

An applicant must self-disclose any disability and the need for special accommodations. If a student does not self-disclose, they may not later use the aforementioned as a reason to appeal. 

Any applicant who does not believe they are able to meet the essential functional abilities outlined above is
strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Services at disabilityservices@prairiestate.edu

Testing
HESI-A2 testing dates will be determined by the dental hygiene clinic. To schedule testing, please contact testing services, schedule the test and pay the fee.

Selection Process

Preference is given to district 515 residents first. If there are remaining seats, then preference will begiven to permanent residents of the eight community colleges with which PSC has a cooperative agreement for the Dental program.
Building

 

(Heartland Community College, Illinois Valley Community College, Joliet Junior College, Kankakee Community College, Morton College, Moraine Valley Community College, Richland Community College and South Suburban College). 
Out-of-cooperative districts and out-of-state will be considered if there are available seats after all district 515 residents, and residents of the eight community colleges have been considered. 
Prairie State College
Dental AssistingRegistration Requirements

Return the following items to the Records and Registration Office prior to the June 1 deadline.

Early completion is strongly recommended:
a. PSC application*
b. Dental Assisting Intent Form*
c. High School Transcripts or GED Certificate
d. College Transcripts (if any)
e. Program Evaluation Request Form* (if
submitting college transcript(s)).

Apply Now

Questions about program admission? Email pscselectiveadmission@prairiestate.edu 

Dental Assisting Handbook (PDF)

 

After completing the above items, applicants must complete a program intent form available on the application portal. Students can access the portal on the Prairie State College website. Transcripts and the program intent form deadline is June 1st for the Fall cohort. Priority is given to in-district students. IT IS THE STUDENTS' RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK THEIR PRAIRIE STATE EMAIL FOR PROGRAM INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE. 
Admissions Requirements
Dental Assisting

Residency

Residents of the Prairie State College district will be awarded five (5) additional points upon bringing in satisfactory proof of residency documents when calculating their ranking score (see Student Ranking). The applicant must live in the Prairie State College district at least 30 days prior to the February 1st deadline date. It is the applicant’s responsibility to demonstrate residency status by submitting two proofs of residency. The following documents may be presented to verify residency and must be in the student’s name: voter’s registration card, property tax statement, income tax return (W2), 
mortgage or mortgage statement, current utility bill, car insurance statement, medical billing statement, and current bank statement. The proof of residency must list the same address, and they must match the address shown on the student records in the Records and Registration Office. Documents must be submitted electronically to pscselectiveadmission@prairiestate.edu by February 1st. Please include your full name and the program that you are applying to when submitting residency documents.

Admissions, Clinical Placement, and Program Expectations

 
 Successful completion of PSC’s MATH 091 or MATH 093 with a C or
better; or PSC’s Assessment Exam placement score at Math 094 or higher.
Successful completion of PSC’s ENG 099 with a C or better; or PSC’s
Assessment Exam Placement Score at ENG 101 level. 
  1. After receiving the acceptance letter via the application portal, students will need to accept their offer by the deadline date listed in the acceptance letter.
  2. Information regarding registration will be included in a mandatory orientation. The date and time fororientation is available in the acceptance letter.
  3. Student must attend the mandatory orientation.
  4. Complete CastleBranch components. 

All students enrolled in the dental assisting program must complete a criminal background check, 10-panel drug screen, and physical examination and demonstrate proof of immunizations and/or immunity before starting the program. Failure to complete all requirements will prohibit the student from entering the program. These requirements will be covered more in depth at orientation.

Vaccinations are a critical necessity of being a healthcare professional. If a student has chosen not to be vaccinated due to medical, religious, or cultural reasons, they will be asked to sign an acknowledgment that an off-campus learning facility may only accept the student with proof of immunization. The program will not guarantee an alternate placement if a student is rejected from a clinical site. Documentation from a medical facility and/or clergy will be required if vaccines are not completed.

To be successful in the dental assisting certificate program, a student must have the skills and abilities essential to perform the functions of a dental assistant in the dental field. Students applying to the dental
assisting certificate program must be able to perform these skills and abilities upon admission to the program with or without reasonable accommodations. A healthcare provider must verify the student’s ability to complete these skills and abilities. This is covered in depth within the student handbook.

After acceptance into the DA program, schedule a meeting with an academic advisor to plan your academic journey. You can reach the advising office at advising@prairiestate.edu. This is mandatory to ensure you will have all prerequisites completed.


Dental assistants frequently:

  • Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
  • Repeat the same movements.
  • Bend or twist their body.
  •  Sit for long periods.
  • Stand for long periods.

It is important for dental assistants to be able to:

  • See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
  • Understand the speech of another person.
  • Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
  • Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
  • Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
  • Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
  • Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for dental assistants to be able to:

  • Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
  • See details of objects that are more than a few feet away. 
  • See the differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
  • Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
  • Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
  • Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
  • Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
  • Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
  • Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
  • React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
  • Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
  • Move arms and legs quickly.
  • Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
  • Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
  • Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects
  • Coordinate the movement of several body parts, such as arms and legs, while the body moves.
  • Keep or regain the body's balance or stay up

A student who has failed or withdrawn from one academic or clinical course is allowed to return and repeat the course the following year based on space availability. The student may be required to demonstrate skill proficiency and/or knowledge in a previous course completed in
the form of a written exam and/or skill demonstration in order to assure their clinical skills are at the level required.

Students who intend to return to the program must notify the program coordinator in writing a minimum of 60 days prior to the start of the semester the student plans to return. The student must meet the admission criteria that are in place at the time readmission is sought. The student does not need to reapply to the program.