Click here to learn more about the modes of instruction offered at Kaskaskia College.
KC's Associate in Applied Science Degree in Dental Assisting will prepare you to pursue further your education in the field of dentistry. The associate degree classes have been designed to complete most of the required general education classes for a dental hygiene program.
Note: A felony conviction could affect an applicant’s ability to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board.
Students who complete the Dental Assisting degree will have the skills and knowledge to have a successful career as Dental Assistants.
To apply to the College, please click the Apply button below. To apply to this program, scroll to the bottom of the page and under “Additional Information”, choose the Allied Health Applications link.
Most Dental Assistants work in dental offices for private or group practices. Additional opportunities are available in dental schools, public health departments, hospitals, prisons, military installations, and community clinics. Dental Assisting can lead to other educational advancements in dentistry, including dental hygiene, dental lab technician, or dentistry.
Accreditation Status
The Kaskaskia College Dental Assisting program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and was granted the accreditation status of approval without reporting requirements respectively. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312)-440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678. The Commissions web address is https://coda.ada.org
Commission on Dental Accreditation
This prestigious accrediting body is recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. Strict accreditation requirements assure a comprehensive education that is based on the latest procedures and techniques.
Mission Statement of Commission on Dental Accreditation
The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) mission is to serve the public and the dental professions by developing and implementing accreditation standards that promote and monitor the continuous quality and improvement of dental education programs, according to CODA.org. CODA's core values include collegiality, consistency, integrity, quality, and transparency.
Notice Of Opportunity To File Complaints:
The Commission on Dental Accreditation will review complaints that relate to a program's compliance with the accreditation standards. The Commission is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dental and dental-related education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for treatment received by patients or individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty, staff or students. A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission's policy and procedure for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678 or by calling 1-312-440-4653.
POLICY ON THIRD PARTY COMMENTS The Commission currently publishes, in its accredited lists of programs, the year of the next site visit for each program it accredits. In addition, the Commission posts its spring and fall site visit announcements on the Site Visit Process and Schedule area of the Commissions website for those programs being site visited in the current and next year. Special site visits and initial accreditation site visits for developing programs may be scheduled after the posting on the Commissions website; thus, the specific dates of these site visits may not be available for publication. Parties interested in these specific dates (should they be established) are encouraged to contact the Commission office. The Commission will request written comments from interested parties on the CODA website. The United States Department of Education (USDE) procedures require accrediting agencies to provide an opportunity for third-party comment, either in writing or at a public hearing (at the accrediting agencies discretion) with respect to institutions or programs scheduled for review. All comments must relate to accreditation standards for the discipline and required accreditation policies. In order to comply with the Departments requirement on the use of third-party comment regarding the programs qualifications for accreditation or initial accreditation, the following procedures have been developed. Those programs scheduled for regular review must solicit third-party comments through appropriate notification of communities of interest and the public such as faculty, students, program administrators, dental-related organizations, patients, and consumers at least ninety (90) days prior to their site visit. The notice should indicate the deadline of sixty (60) days for receipt of third-party comments in the Commission office and should stipulate that signed or unsigned comments will be accepted, that names and/or signatures will be removed from comments prior to forwarding them to the program, and that comments must pertain only to the standards for the particular program or policies and procedures used in the Commissions accreditation process. The announcement may include language to indicate that a copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commissions policy on third-party comments may be obtained by contacting the Commission by calling 1-800-232-6108 or by email. All comments submitted must pertain only to the standards relative to the particular program being reviewed or policies and procedures used in the accreditation process. Comments will be screened by Commission staff for relevancy. Signed or unsigned comments will be considered. For comments not relevant to these issues, the individual will be notified that the comment is not related to accreditation and, where appropriate, referred to the appropriate agency. All relevant comments will have names and/or signatures removed and will then be referred to the program at least fifty (50) days prior to the site visit for review and response. A written response from the program should be provided to the Commission office and the visiting committee fifteen (15) days prior to the site visit. Adjustments may be necessary in the site visit schedule to allow discussion of comments with proper personnel. Negative comments received after the established deadline of sixty (60) days prior to the site visit will be handled as a complaint. Any unresolved issues related to the programs compliance with the accreditation standards will be reviewed by the visiting committee while on site.
Programs with the status of initial accreditation, and programs seeking initial accreditation must solicit comment through appropriate notification of communities of interest and the public such as faculty, students, program administrators, dental-related organizations, patients, and consumers utilizing the procedures noted above. On occasion, programs may be scheduled for special focused or special comprehensive site visits and because of the urgency of the visit, solicitation of third-party comments within the ninety (90) day timeframe may not be possible. However, third party comments must be solicited at the time the program is notified of the Commissions planned site visit, typically sixty (60) days in advance of the visit. In this case, the timeframe for solicitation of third-party comments will be shortened. The notice should indicate the deadline of thirty (30) days for receipt of third-party comments in the Commission office and should stipulate that signed or unsigned comments will be accepted, that names and/or signatures will be removed from comments prior to forwarding them to the program, and that comments must pertain only to the standards for the particular program or policies and procedures used in the Commissions accreditation process. All relevant comments will have names and/or signatures removed and will then be referred to the program at least twenty (20) days prior to the site visit for review and response. A written response from the program should be provided to the Commission office and the visiting committee ten (10) days prior to the site visit. Adjustments may be necessary in the site visit schedule to allow discussion of comments with proper personnel. Any unresolved issues related to the programs compliance with the accreditation standards will be reviewed by the visiting committee while on-site. Negative comments received after the established deadline of thirty (30) days prior to the site visit will be handled as a complaint. Individuals who are interested in submitting third party comments may contact the Commission office for submission guidance. Third party comments should be emailed to the appropriate Commission staff; comments should not be sent to the Commission office via the US Postal Service. Revised: 2/22; 8/19; 8/18; 2/18; 2/16; 2/15; 8/13; 8/12, 8/11, 7/09, 8/02, 1/97; Reaffirmed: 8/24; 8/13; 8/10, 1/03; Adopted: 7/95
The Kaskaskia College Dental Assisting program meets licensure requirements in the state of Illinois.
Higher education institutions and the U.S. Department of Education share a common goal: to support students in educational programs that lead to state licensure, enabling them to fulfill the educational requirements necessary for employment in their chosen field. According to U.S. Department of Education regulations 34 CFR 668.14(b)(32), starting July 1, 2024, all institutions must disclose whether the curriculum for Title IV-eligible programs designed or advertised as leading to professional licensure or certification required for employment meets state educational requirements where a student is located. Disclosure is required regardless of a program's modality. Academic programs that provide a path to optional, national, or industry certifications do not require disclosure.
Kaskaskia College strives to ensure that information regarding educational requirements for licensure or certification is up to date; however, state requirements may change. Beyond educational requirements, state licensure boards may require applicants to complete professional examinations, background checks, years of professional experience, residency requirements, jurisprudence exams, and other training.
The new U.S. Department of Education regulations, 34 CFR 668.14(b)(32) require colleges to assign programs leading to licensure or certification to one of two categories; Yes, meets state requirements or No, does not meet state requirements.
Kaskaskia Colleges educational programs are designed to meet licensure requirements in the state of Illinois regardless of the modality of instruction. The programs listed below meet educational requirements for professional licensure or certification for that occupation in Illinois:
Associate Degree Nursing
Cosmetology
Dental Assisting
Emergency Medical Technician
Nail Technology
Paramedicine
Physical Therapy Assistant
Practical Nursing
Radiologic Technology
Respiratory Therapy
Sonography
Kaskaskia College cannot guarantee licensure or certification in other states. State laws, regulations, and policies governing professional licensure may change at any time. The decision to grant a license or certification is the purview of the state. Only state licensing agencies or boards can determine whether an academic program meets or partially meets educational
requirements for licensure. Kaskaskia College cannot guarantee an individual's attainment of any professional licensure or certification, in any field, in any state. At this time, per regulations, the College must assign, No, does not meet requirements in states other than Illinois.
Students are encouraged to contact the appropriate state licensing authority directly to determine if Kaskaskia Colleges program meets the educational requirements for licensure before beginning the program. Many Kaskaskia College licensure and certification program graduates have successfully transferred into careers and obtained licensure or certification in states other than Illinois.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
The students will demonstrate the knowledge of an entry level dental assistant.
The students will master dental theory.
The students will gain and exhibit awareness of professionalism in an ethical safe, and effective manner.
