If you enjoy helping others and working with your hands, and you’re also detail-oriented, Stark State’s dental assistant program could be a great fit. It combines the best in classroom learning and hands-on training. You will learn to provide basic, supplemental and supportive dental services alongside licensed dental professionals.
Major code: 3425 Pre-code: 3426 Health and Public Services Division Allied Dental Health Professions Department
The catalog in force is assigned to students based on the academic year they first applied to the college, and changes only when students change their major or request the change in writing. Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-28.
2026-27 Catalog
Effective Summer 2026
Some courses listed within the program may require a prerequisite or co-requisite.
Pre/Co-requisites will be listed within each course hyperlink below.
Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-04 and 3357:15-13-05
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Experience | ||
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| Computer Applications | ||
| ITD122 | Computer Applications for Professionals | 3 |
| English Composition and Oral Communication | ||
| COM121 | Effective Speaking | 3 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| ENG230 | Business Communication | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| PSY121 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PSY124 | Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| SOC121 | Sociology | 3 |
| SOC123 | Dynamics of the Family | 3 |
| or SOC225 | Diversity in American Society | |
| Arts and Humanities | ||
| PHL122 | Ethics | 3 |
| HIS121 | United States History I to 1877 | 3 |
| or HIS122 | United States History II from 1877 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| BIO101 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| BIO123 | Principles of Human Structure and Function (lab) 1,2,3 | 5 |
| CHM101 | Introduction to Chemistry | 4 |
| or CHM123 | General Organic and Biological Chemistry | |
| Mathematics, Statistics and Logic | ||
| MTH125 | College Algebra | 3-4 |
| or MTH124 | Statistics | |
| Area of Concentration Courses | ||
| DAS121 | Dental Assisting Techniques I 4 | 5 |
| DAS122 | Dental Assisting Radiography | 3 |
| DAS123 | Dental Assisting Techniques II | 5 |
| DAS124 | Dental Assisting Materials | 2 |
| DAS128 | Introduction to Dental Terminology and Basic Anatomy | 2 |
| Total Hours | 63-64 | |
- 1
Because of strong emphasis on science in this major, applicants must have successfully completed Chemistry and Biology in high school. Students who did not complete the courses in high school, and those who prefer to refresh their knowledge of the material, should complete the listed pre-requisites.
- 2
BIO121 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO122 Anatomy and Physiology II can be substituted for BIO123 Principles of Human Structure and Function.
- 3
“B” or better in BIO101 or High School Biology (must be within 5 years)
- 4
Course may be taken in conjunction with other technical courses but must be taken in the first semester of technical course work.
Minimum grade of “C” in all concentration courses is required.
This program requires an application (separate from the College). Please see your advisor to discuss the application process.
Students completing this degree may be eligible to also receive a Dental Assisting Career-Enhancement Certificate (3403).
Full-time Student Advising Notes
Academic Advising
Each student should make an appointment to see their advisor every semester before registering for classes. Please have your registration form completed, including the courses you wish to take, for this meeting.
Course Sequence
The semester-by-semester listing below gives the normal scheduling option for full-time associate degree students who plan to finish in two years. Some courses can be scheduled as beginning courses in other semesters depending upon course availability and advisor's recommendation.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| DAS121 | Dental Assisting Techniques I 4 | 5 |
| DAS124 | Dental Assisting Materials | 2 |
| DAS128 | Introduction to Dental Terminology and Basic Anatomy | 2 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| MTH125 or MTH124 |
College Algebra or Statistics |
3-4 |
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIO101 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| DAS122 | Dental Assisting Radiography | 3 |
| DAS123 | Dental Assisting Techniques II | 5 |
| ITD122 | Computer Applications for Professionals | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| PSY121 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOC121 | Sociology | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| BIO123 | Principles of Human Structure and Function (lab) 1,2,3 | 5 |
| COM121 | Effective Speaking | 3 |
| PSY124 | Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| SOC123 or SOC225 |
Dynamics of the Family or Diversity in American Society |
3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| CHM101 or CHM123 |
Introduction to Chemistry or General Organic and Biological Chemistry |
4 |
| HIS121 or HIS122 |
United States History I to 1877 or United States History II from 1877 |
3 |
| ENG230 | Business Communication | 3 |
| PHL122 | Ethics | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 63-64 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Adhere to current legal regulations as stated in the Dental Practice Act and demonstrate professionalism and ethics in all aspects of dental care.
- Effectively communicate the importance of oral health with patients, healthcare providers and the public regarding diverse patient treatment needs.
- Be prepared to collaborate with local communities to address diverse oral health needs.
- Provide high quality dental assisting functions.
- Pursue advancements in their profession and further develop their skills through innovation and evidence-based knowledge.