Dental Assisting-Pathway I (CFDAC)
Applications are only accessible during each program’s designated application window.
Fall 2026 Application Coming soon. The application window for the Fall 2025 semester is closed.
2026 Admissions Requirements
The admission requirements and information outlined below are based on the Fall 2026 admission cycle (2026-2027 academic year). The application is expected to open in early February 2026. The deadline to submit your program application is Monday, August 10, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (end of day). We strongly recommend submitting your application before the final day to avoid any last-minute issues. If problems occur after office hours, staff may not be available to help before the deadline.
The next admission cycle is for the Fall 2027 semester. The application is expected to open in early February 2027, with an anticipated deadline in mid-August 2027.
This program follows WCC’s Limited Enrollment Admission Process. Applicants must meet all admission requirements. Qualified candidates are admitted on a first-qualified basis until all accepted and alternate seats are filled.
Please note:
If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the available seats for two or more consecutive admission cycles, WCC reserves the right to implement its Competitive Admission Process for future admissions.
Each year, approximately 18 students are admitted to the program for a Fall semester start. In addition, approximately 9 alternate candidates are selected in case any seats become available before the program begins. This is a full-time program, and part-time enrollment is not available.
Required Checklist
All required checklist items below must be successfully completed and verifiable before you are eligible to apply to the program.
1. Mandatory Information Session
You must participate in a mandatory information session before applying to the program. Please contact Jodi Neuman in the Dental Assisting Department at jneuman@wccnet.edu to schedule a session.
2. Academic Reading Level of 6 (College Level)
See the Additional Information section below for more details.
3. Academic Writing Level of 6 (College Level)
See the Additional Information section below for more details.
4. Program Prerequisite Course
5. Verification of High School Diploma or its Equivalent, or Post-Secondary Degree
Students must submit appropriate documentation verifying completion of one of the following:
- High School Graduate: Submit a copy of your high school diploma or transcript that includes the graduation date.
- High School Equivalency: Submit a copy of your GED certificate or a certificate of completion for another recognized equivalency credential.
- Middle College Student: Students currently enrolled in a Middle College program who will meet all State of Michigan high school diploma requirements by the end of the Spring/Summer 2026 semester must submit a completed Middle College Status Verification Form, which must be filled out by their advisor.
- College/University Graduate: Submit a copy of your college or university diploma or transcript that includes the graduation date.
6. Age Requirement
Students must be 18 years of age by May 15 of the year of program completion. Submit a copy of your Driver’s License, State ID Card, Passport or Birth Certificate.
7. Background Information Acknowledgement
Under the Bureau of Health Professions (BHP) for the State of Michigan, an individual who has been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for a maximum term of 2 years or a misdemeanor involving the illegal delivery, possession, or use of alcohol or a controlled substance (including motor vehicle violations), may be ineligible to take the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Examination and obtain a Michigan license.
All individuals applying for a health professional license or registration in Michigan are required to undergo a criminal background check and submit fingerprints. The requirement for this procedure is pursuant to Public Act 26 of 2006. If no criminal history information is found, the record will be provided to the BHP for review.
The Bureau of Health Professions will not provide a definitive answer on how the conviction will impact an applicant for a Michigan license until the time an individual applies for licensure with the state. At that time, the full history of the situation is reviewed. The BHP considers when the offense occurred, what the nature of the offense was and what has happened since the offense (schooling, etc.). They also take into consideration whether this was a single incident or if the conviction represents a pattern of behavior. If they feel comfortable with the information provided and feel that the applicant has positively moved on with his or her life, they will proceed with processing the application.
However, if BHP continues to have concerns after reviewing the information, they can request additional information or court records. If the case is very clear and recent sanctions are still imposed, they can deny licensure. If time has elapsed since the offense but they want more assurances that the offense will not occur again, they may ask that a Notice of Intent to Deny be issued. This Notice would provide the applicant with an opportunity to request a hearing and demonstrate why he or she should be able to become licensed. An administrative law judge would hear the case and make a decision.
Students must answer the following questions on their application. If a student answers “Yes” to any of the questions, they may not be eligible to sit for the RDA licensing exam and/or obtain an RDA license.
- Have you ever been convicted of a felony or are you currently serving any sentences for felony convictions?
- Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for a maximum term of two years or a misdemeanor involving the illegal delivery, possession, or use of alcohol or a controlled substance?
- Have you ever been disciplined by a regulatory board, certifying agency or examination agency or education institution?
- Have you ever been declared mentally incompetent by a court of law?
8. Review Important Information:
You must confirm that you have reviewed this information in order to access and submit your program application.
- Technical Standards for Health Science Programs at Washtenaw Community College (WCC): Dental Assisting
(CFDAC)
- WCC reserves the right to request, before or during the program, that students successfully demonstrate the specific physical and cognitive abilities related to the program.
- Technical Standards Process for Requesting Accommodations
- Degree requirements, including continuing eligibility requirements.
- Department website for additional details and resources.
Additional Information
- Establishing your Academic Reading and Writing Levels may include:
- Submitting test scores or exemption documentation to Admissions.
- Completing placement testing through the Testing Center.
- Meeting with Academic Advising to determine appropriate course placement to raise your level.
- For more details, visit WCC’s website and review:
- All Dental Assisting (DEN) and support courses to the program must be completed with a minimum grade of C/2.0.
- Students who are dismissed from the program may not be eligible to reapply to the program.
Entrance Requirements (After Admission & Before Program Start)
Upon admission, the following entrance requirements must be successfully completed in order to begin the program. Failure to meet or comply with these requirements will result in forfeiting your status in the program. Detailed instructions and deadlines will be provided to students who are offered acceptance or alternate status after admission decisions are released.
1. DA Pathway I Orientation Canvas Site
Students must complete the orientation checklist which will include assignments, background check, health records, etc. Details will be provided by the department.
2. Mandatory Orientation
Attendance at the mandatory orientation session. Details will be included in the program acceptance and alternate candidate notification emails.
3. Course Registration
Accepted students are required to register and remain registered in all first-semester courses by the specified deadline. Detailed registration instructions will be provided by the department. First-semester courses include:
- DEN 102 (Managing Safe Practice in Dentistry) - including lecture & lab
- DEN 106 (Biomedical Science for Dental Assistants)
- DEN 107 (Oral Anatomy)
- DEN 108 (Dental Radiography) - including lecture & lab
- DEN 110 (Basic Clinical Dental Assisting) - including lecture & lab
- DEN 112 (Dental Materials) - including lecture & lab
Please note:
Students will register for DEN 106 and DEN 107 upon admission to the program. After attending orientation, students will be eligible to register for all remaining courses that include lab components.
4. Health Records, Drug Screen, and Criminal Background Check
Students are required to submit health records and complete a full background check paid to an outside vendor selected by the College.
- Students may be required to undergo drug testing, as requested by the Dental Assisting Department. Any student with a positive drug screen for substances prohibited by the State of Michigan or Federal Law (including marijuana) or controlled substances will not be eligible for the program.
- Failure to receive an acceptable criminal background/fingerprinting at any time, will result in dismissal from the program.
- Our clinical partners require proof of immunity to many transmissible diseases, including MMR, Varicella, Hep B, TB, and others for clinical experiences with our agency partners.
5. Failure to Meet Requirements
Students who fail to meet or comply with any of the above requirements will not be eligible to begin the program and will forfeit their status.