Additional Admissions Requirements: Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant Program - Application Checklist

In order to be eligible for admission to the Dental Assistant program, students must complete the following eligibility requirements by the priority deadline. All eligible students will be awarded points based on the point system listed on the second page. Students with the highest point totals will be accepted. If a tiebreaker is needed, preference will be given to students who completed the most Dental Assistant program general education courses at Iowa Western (general education courses include the Anatomy and Physiology requirement listed on the second page, as well as the Communications requirement and Psychology elective listed on the Dental Assisting recommended course sequence). If a second tiebreaker is needed, preference will be given to students with the earliest admission file completion dates. 18 students will be accepted each Fall.

Fall Term (August) - Priority deadline is January 31

Eligibility Requirements

Meet with an Admissions Advisor in the Student Welcome Center located in Clark Hall.
Complete an Application for Admission to Iowa Western Community College.
Submit all official transcripts (high school and college).
* Take a Placement test and meet minimum Reading, Writing, and Math score requirements:
- COMPASS Writing Score of 55 or higher
- COMPASS Reading Score of 51 or higher
- COMPASS Pre-Algebra Score of 32 or higher
- ASSET Writing Score of 35 or higher
- ASSET Reading Score of 33 or higher
- ASSET Numerical Skills score of 36 or higher
- ACT English Score of 17 or higher
- ACT Reading Score of 12 or higher
- ACT Math Score of 15 or higher

* Scores expire after two years. In order to be valid, scores cannot be more than two years old at the start of the term for which you have applied. Students who do not have valid test scores may schedule a time to take the COMPASS test by emailing testing@iwcc.edu or by calling Enrollment Services at 800.432.5852 extension 3277 or 712.325.3277 (select option 5).

Complete 8 hours of observation with a Dental Assistant or Dentist and submit the completed Dental Assistant Observation Form to the Office of Admissions.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all admissions requirements are documented in the Office of Admissions.

Updated 06/13/2011: Admissions requirements are subject to change.

Please contact the Office of Admissions with any questions:
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
admissions@iwcc.edu | 800.432.5852 or 712.325.3277 | www.iwcc.edu

Iowa Western Community College
2700 College Rd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Dental Assistant Program - Point System

Points will be awarded based on the following criteria. To be calculated in the point total, all grades and materials must be on file with the Office of Admissions by the priority deadline.

Possible Points

Completion of Anatomy and Physiology requirement

0 - 4 pts

Points will be awarded based on the grade(s) the student earns in the course(s) fulfilling the Anatomy and Physiology requirement:

HSC-125 Survey of Anatomy for Allied Health; or

HSC-126 Anatomy for Allied Health; or

BIO-168 Anatomy and Physiology I with Labs and BIO-173 Anatomy and Physiology II with Labs

The following criteria will be used to determine the number of points awarded for grade in HSC-126 Anatomy for Allied Health or HSC-125 Survey of Anatomy for Allied Health:

Grade of "A"........3 pts

Grade of "B"........2 pts

Grade of "C"........1 pt

The following scale will be used to determine the number of points awarded for GPA in BIO-168 Anatomy and Physiology I with Labs and BIO-173 Anatomy and Physiology II with Labs:

4.0.................4 pts

3.5-3.99........3.5 pts

3.0-3.49........3 pts

2.5-2.99........2.5 pts

2.0-2.49........2 pts

Completion of IWCC College Credit Courses

0 - 4 pts

Points will be awarded to students who successfully complete any college credit courses at Iowa Western with a grade of "C" or higher. Continuing Education courses do not apply.

The following criteria will be used to determine the number of points awarded:

4 or more courses........4 pts

3 courses.......................3 pts

2 courses.......................2 pts

1 course..........................1 pt

Prior Attainment of Associate Degree

3 pts

Prior Attainment of Bachelor's Degree

5 pts

Healthcare Work or Volunteer Experience

1 - 4 pts

Points will be awarded to students with previous work experience in a healthcare or dental office setting for a minimum of 6 months, or a minimum of 2 years as a volunteer. Must be documented by employer. Verification forms are available in the Admissions Office.

The following criteria will be used to determine the number of points awarded:

Work Experience

Volunteer Experience

More than 6 months........4 pts

More than 2 years........4 pts

3-6 months.......................2 pts

1-2 years.......................3 pts

Less than 3 months........1 pt

Less than 1 year..........1 pt

Dental Assistant Program - Observation Form for Prospective Students

To be completed by the student and signed by the participating Dentist or Dental Hygienist.

Student name (print or type): _________________________________________ Date of Birth: _________________________

The purpose of the observation is to expose applicants to a wide-variety of procedures performed in a dental practice setting. Applicants are required to observe a minimum of 8 hours with a Dental Assistant or Dentist. After completing the observation hours this form must signed by the supervising Dental Assistant or Dentist, and the completed form must be submitted to the Office of Admissions by the priority deadline.

Observation Log

Applicants are required to document the times and dates of their observation hours using the log below.

Date	Time In	Time Out	Hours







		Total Observation Hours

Registered Dental Assistant or Dentist Certification

This section must be completed by the supervising Dental Assistant or Dentist

By signing below, I hereby certify that the information provided on this form is true and accurate.

Signature(s) of Dental Assistant or Dentist : ________________________________, ____________________________

Printed Name(s) of Dental Assistant or Dentist: _____________________________, ____________________________

Name of Practice or Facility:

Address of Practice or Facility:

Phone Number of Practice or Facility:

Applicant Certification

By signing below, I hereby certify that all information on this form is true and correct.

Signature of Student: ______________________________________ Date: ____________________

This form can be found online at www.iwcc.edu/es/admissions/information