Dental Assisting

Apply to Dental Assisting

To join this program, you must apply for admission. This moderately competitive program accepts up to 36 students each academic year with a fall term start date. Admission is based on a first come, first served basis.

Questions? Attend an information session or contact us.

How to apply

  1. Apply to PCC

    Applying to PCC is free and only takes a few minutes. Complete this step as soon as possible so you can start using PCC resources.
    Apply to PCC

  2. Application timeline
    Term you want to start Apply to Dental Assisting
    Fall 2024 Application closed
    Fall 2025 May 1, 2025 – July 1, 2025
    Prerequisites

    The following prerequisites need to be completed by the end of spring term 2025:

    • WR 115: Intro to College Composition, or placement into WR 121Z: College Composition
    • Any college course worth at least 2 credits (besides MP 111)
    • MP 111: Medical Terminology (or the PCC equivalent if taken at another institution)
    • Show proof of one of the following:
      • High school diploma with a GPA of 2.0 or higher
      • College transcript with a GPA of 2.0 or higher
      • GED Credential
  3. Dental Assisting experience

    Applicants are required to complete 12 hours of shadowing and/or patient experience in a Dental Clinic or Dental Office. Shadowing and dental experience can be accumulated through any of the three following experiences and must total 12 hours:

    1. Shadowing a dental assistant in a private practice or public health dental clinic
    2. Shadowing a dental programs student at the PCC Dental Clinic (limited to one experience lasting a maximum of 3 hours)
    3. Completing a patient assessment at the PCC Dental Clinic, including necessary x-rays and a dental examination (approximately 1 hour; this option is exclusive to the PCC Dental Clinic)
      • Applicants should use the PCC Dental Clinic Experience Verification Form to document their completed PCC Dental Clinic experiences and must attach it with their online application. Multiple forms can be used to document the 12 hours of experience.
  4. Submit application

    Prior to beginning your application, ensure you have all necessary documentation readily available in electronic format to attach to your dental assisting application.

  5. Applicants must upload the following:
    • Unofficial transcripts reflecting a GPA of 2.0 or above. Additionally, transcripts should demonstrate completion of a 2-credit college course (excluding MP 111).
      • Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, jpe, png, gif, pdf, Max. file size: 20 MB.
    • Applicants will also need to provide evidence demonstrating shadowing or treatment in Dental Clinic or Dental Offices as detailed above in step 3.

    For more information about the PCC Dental Assisting admissions process, please review the Dental Assisting Admissions Guide.

How are applicants selected?

This program admits up to 36 students each year on a first come, first serve basis.

  • Priority for the first 36 students: The first 36 students who submit their applications with all the required prerequisite courses completed by the end of Spring Term 2025 and who meet the listed admissions requirements will be guaranteed a seat in the program.
  • Waitlist for applications submitted after the initial 36: Applications received after the initial 36 complete applications will be placed on a waitlist. The order in which these applications are received will determine the applicants’ position on the waitlist.
  • Incomplete applications: An application is deemed incomplete if an applicant has courses in-progress during Summer 2025. Incomplete applications will still be considered but will be placed lower on the waitlist. In-progress courses must be completed by the end of Summer Term 2025.
  • Duplicate applications: If a student submits multiple applications, the most recent application will be considered the official one, and the date and time of this most recent submission will determine the student’s position in the queue.

Admissions timeline: Fall 2025

  • May 1, 2025: application opens 
  • July 1, 2025: application deadline
    • Proof of up to 12 hours of shadowing and/or patient experience must be uploaded to the application
  • Mid/Late July, 2025: seat acceptance notifications go out
    • Applicants will be informed of their admissions status through their PCC email only
  • August 6, 2025 from 9am-12pm: first mandatory in-person orientation
    • Applicants attend the first in-person mandatory orientation at the Vanport Building to begin the post-admission process
    • Applicants will be required to submit proof of their healthcare provider CPR certification, criminal background check, ten-panel drug screening and immunizations prior to the start of the Fall 2025 term.
    • For additional details regarding required immunizations, please see the requirements for clinical and field education document.
    • Acceptance into the program is contingent upon successfully passing/clearing all of these requirements. Please wait to complete these requirements until after a seat offer is made.
    • Following the orientation, applicants will be required to officially accept or decline their seat in the program
  • September 10, 2025 from 9am-12pm: second mandatory in-person orientation
    • Second mandatory in-person orientation will take place at the Vanport Building
  • Fall Term 2025: full-time program begins
    • The program runs three consecutive terms (Fall, Winter, Spring)