Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

I have questions about the admissions process. What should I do?

First, thoroughly review the admissions information on the apply page. If you still have questions, please email healthadmissions@pcc.edu, and one of our admissions specialists will reach out to you.

Where will the Dental Assisting program take place?

All Dental Assisting courses and mandatory orientations will be held at the Vanport Building, located in downtown Portland at 1810 SW 5th Ave. Once enrolled in the program, students will be required to participate in in-person learning five days a week.

Where do I park to get to the Vanport Building?

Dental Assisting students and clinic patients can utilize the PCC shuttle system. The shuttle’s Orange Line offers a drop-off a few blocks west of the Vanport Building on the Portland State University Campus. All shuttles connect at the PCC Sylvania Campus, where transfers to the Orange Line are available.

Important: The PCC shuttle service does not operate during the summer term. A valid parking permit must be displayed for those who park at a main PCC campus and use the shuttle.

Parking a vehicle downtown can be tricky, but students and patients have a few options. You can buy daily street parking passes or passes at nearby parking garages around the Vanport Building. If you’re a PCC student taking classes at Vanport, you’re also eligible for a PSU parking permit at a reduced student rate. Learn about PSU tenant parking.

What is the estimated program cost of the dental assisting program?

The estimated program cost is $10,756, which doesn’t include prerequisite courses. This covers tuition, fees, and estimated expenses for memberships, certifications, exams, uniforms, textbooks, materials, supplies, and other miscellaneous costs. Remember to also factor in additional expenses like housing, transportation, insurance, and the cost of not working.

Can I work while I’m in PCC’s Dental Assisting program?

The Dental Assisting program is a full-time, Monday through Friday program that includes homework and projects outside of class time. As a result, it can be challenging to work evenings and weekends while successfully completing all program requirements. Students are encouraged to reduce work hours as much as possible to fully commit to the program.

Will appeals be considered for applicants who miss admissions-related deadlines?

At PCC, there is a commitment to maintaining a fair admissions process by adhering to firm deadlines for application submissions and supporting documentation. Due to the high volume of applications, appeals for missed deadlines cannot be accepted. All applicants are encouraged to plan accordingly and submit required materials well in advance of the program deadlines.

Do I need a Social Security Number to be a dental assistant?

No, you do not need a Social Security Number (SSN) to become a licensed dental assistant in Oregon. While some employers may require an SSN for hiring purposes, neither the licensing organization (like DANB) nor educational institutions like Portland Community College require it for certification or enrollment. However, a criminal background check, required for our post-selection requirements and also as part of the licensing process, may require a Social Security Number.

Should I apply for this program if I ultimately want to apply to the PCC Dental Hygiene Program?

Applicant’s decisions should align with their career goals and personal circumstances. If they are certain that a career as a dental hygienist is their goal, they may choose to go directly into PCC’s Dental Hygiene program (or similar). However, if they want to gain experience, explore the dental field, or meet specific program prerequisites, attending dental assisting school first can be a valuable step. It’s essential to research dental programs in their area, speak with an academic advisor, make an appointment with career services, and carefully consider their goals before making a decision.

I need help with planning my prerequisites. Where should I start?

If you are new to PCC, please go to pcc.edu/advising for next steps on how to connect with an advisor or fill out the new student question form. If you are already taking classes at PCC, please set up an appointment with your assigned academic advisor.

What if I take a prerequisite course pass/no pass?

Individual prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a letter grade of “C” or higher. Pass/no pass grading options are not accepted as proof of successful course completion.

My completed prerequisite course now has the letter Z attached to it. Do I need to retake it?

No. Applicants will not need to repeat their prerequisite courses. For example, prerequisite courses such as MTH 111Z used to be numbered as MTH 111 and would not need to be retaken. Courses such as WR 121Z, WR 122Z, STAT 243Z, and many others are part of the new Oregon Common Course Numbering system.

What if I’ve already taken a medical terminology course at an institution other than PCC?

If you have already completed a medical terminology course at another institution, it may be used if it is a direct transfer as PCC’s Medical Terminology (MP 111). Please submit your official transcripts to PCC Student Records for an official transfer credit evaluation.

Will my transfer courses be accepted at PCC?

Applicants with transfer courses are strongly encouraged to submit their official transcripts to Student Records for evaluation. Student Records will evaluate lower-division collegiate (LDC) coursework.

Upper-division coursework is evaluated upon request. We do not recommend you request all upper-division coursework to be evaluated by Student Records. Instead, please request that they evaluate only the courses you intend to use as prerequisites for the Dental Assisting program. Each transfer course is subject to review by the PCC Student Records Office, Dental Department, and/or the Admissions Team to determine transfer equivalency.

Can I use Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) courses from an unaccredited institution to meet a prerequisite course requirement?

The Dental Assisting program does not accept CPL courses toward prerequisite or degree requirements. All prerequisite courses, including transfer work, must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher from a regionally accredited institution to meet prerequisite course requirements.

Can PCC help me connect with dental clinics so I can complete my 12 hours of required experience?

PCC does not provide a list of clinics for shadowing or assist in setting up these shadowing experiences. However, we encourage applicants to contact local dental clinics where they receive service or that they’re interested in, especially those they might live near or wish to work for. It’s best to reach out well before the May 3 application open date. Generally, applicants haven’t had difficulty arranging shadowing opportunities.

Can I use old shadowing documents on my 2027 application?

Yes, as long as your documents are completely filled out with accurate information and there is a total of 12 hours of experience, we can accept forms from prior years.

What is the best way to get in contact with PCC’s Dental Clinic to set up dental showing and/or the patient experience?

When contacting the PCC Dental Clinic, please do the following:

• Email dentalclinic@pcc.edu (emails will be returned within 48 business hours).
• Include in your email:
  • Which program are you applying to (Dental Assisting or Dental Hygiene).
  • Which year you will be applying to the Dental Assisting program (2027, 2028, etc.).
  • The type of experience you want to complete (shadowing and/or a patient assessment).
  • Your Monday – Friday general availability (Dental Assisting appointment availability is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).
  • The most reliable phone number to contact you.

Additional scheduling considerations:

• Arrive early and leave time to find parking.
• Bring your supporting documents so they can be signed.
• Important: Please inform the clinic ASAP if you cannot make it to your scheduled appointment. The clinic has a waitlist for appointments and needs adequate time to fill your spot if you are unable to attend.
• PCC’s fall, winter, and spring terms are the only terms to schedule shadowing and/or a patient assessment at the PCC Dental Clinic.
  • Anticipated fall term availability is Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 8am and 4:30pm.
  • Anticipated winter and spring term availability is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 8am and 4:30pm.
  • The Dental Clinic is closed during PCC’s summer term.

After I get admitted, what is required of me?

After being accepted into the program, students will be required to successfully complete PCC’s post-selection requirements, which include:

• Pass a criminal background check from an agency designated by PCC.
• Pass a ten-panel drug screen from a lab designated by PCC.
• Submit proof of current immunizations.
• Submit proof of current CPR for Healthcare Providers certification (American Heart Association).

Please review the requirements for clinical and field education for more details. Students will receive specific directions from PCC’s Radiography program on how to meet these requirements. Applicants should not pursue meeting these requirements prior to being admitted to the Radiography program.

Learn more on the apply page.