Dental Assistant

All applications are due on June 30th by 11:59 p.m. for acceptance for the fall term. 

NOTE: All applications MUST be submitted to the online portal (under Step 8) and be complete with all required attachments, including unofficial transcripts, ACT scores, etc...  Failure to submit a completed application by the posted deadline will VOID that application.  Applications are NOT accepted by mail, fax, or email; they must be submitted via the submission portal under Step 8 below.

The Dental Assistant Program runs for three semesters beginning in the fall semester, annually. Program applications are due June 30th of each academic year.

Note from the Program Director:

"As Program Director of the Dental Assisting Program, I welcome each student and will facilitate the attainment of his/her career goals. It is my intent to support the success of each student by providing additional help and cooperation as needed."

- Dr. Teresa Ray, Dental Assisting Program Director

Eligibility to Apply:

Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA on the courses listed below and have an 14 on the ACT or ACT Residual to apply to the Dental Assistant  Program.  In addition, students must have completed or at least be eligible to complete ENG101 or MTH100 prior to making application to the program.                                                                           

Before you apply to the Dental Assistant Program, review the Eligibility Criteria that delineates the physical, cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills deemed the minimal necessary for admission, progression, and program completion and for the provision of safe and effective client care as a Dental Assistant. 

Students are expected to minimally have the ability to:  

1. Be independently mobile and able to stand, bend, twist, stoop, squat, and sit
2. Work in a confined space and remain in one location for an extended period of time
3. Lift, push, and/or pull 20 pounds
4. Reach and position overhead equipment
5. Sustain repetitive movements
6. Demonstrate the physical stamina to work a minimum of an 8 hour day
7. Grasp small objects
8. Coordinate eye and hand movements to satisfactorily manipulate instruments, supplies and equipment with speed, dexterity, and proficiency
9. See with 20/40 visual acuity and possess sufficient peripheral vision to anticipate needs of the dentist and patient while working chairside
10. Distinguish colors and discern variation in shades and tone
11. Hear high and low frequency sounds within a normal range
12. Hear and understand muffled communication without visualization of the speaker's mouth and lips
13. Smell body and environmental odors
14. Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, in English
15. Correctly perform simple mathematical computations
16. Be free of reportable communicable diseases and substance abuse
17. Work in a clinical environment which involves exposure to persons with physical and mental disabilities, and to pain, stress, communicable disease, blood and body fluids, hazardous substances / materials, odors and irritating particles
18. Expose dental radiographs safely.
19. Carry out detailed, simple to complex, written or oral instructions.
20. Show problem-solving aptitude sufficient to organize and complete tasks safely, accurately and within an assigned time frame
21. Assimilate and apply knowledge acquired from multiple learning experiences and make decisions which display good judgment
22. Seek supervision and consultation in a timely manner
23. Work with a diverse population including persons of various ages, ethnic, racial, religious, alternative lifestyle and socioeconomic background without prejudice
24. Readily adapt to a changing environment by demonstrating poise, flexibility, positive coping skills, and effective responses, especially in emergency situations

The Alabama College System endorses the Americans with Disabilities Act. In accordance, when requested, reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the LSCC 
Disability Services call (205) 929-6396 if special materials, services or assistance is required).

The first step to apply to the Dental Assistant Program is to apply to the College.  Your status at Lawson must be Active.   

• Submit your Lawson State Application
• Submit your Unofficial Transcripts to the College (from all colleges you have   attended).

If you have previously been accepted to LSCC, but have not attended the college for more than one semester; you may be required to complete a new application to the college and provide additional information.

Please check with the Admissions office before you complete the Dental Assistant application to ensure your acceptance is Unconditional.

Check your ACT score.  All applications must have a score of 14 or higher on the ACT to apply to the Dental Assistant  Program. A minimum score of 14 is required without exception (academic history and/or achievements cannot be considered in place of the ACT requirement).

ACT SuperScores of 14 or higher are accepted.

There is no expiration on test dates.

ACT On-Campus (formerly ACT Residual) scores MUST be from an Alabama Community College;

ACT On-Campus scores from any institution outside of the Alabama Community College System WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

ACT scores listed on college transcripts will not be accepted

Eligibility to Apply: 

Criteria (in terms of student selection) is established from assessing GPA's (must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0), student eligibility to complete pre-requisite courses (listed below), and verification that the student has a 14 or higher on the ACT exam.

Students can still apply even if all courses (listed below) have not been completed yet, but all students must be eligible to enroll at the time of application.  Thus, it is all students either complete the classes in advance (before you apply), or be pre-enrolled (registered) in the courses at the time you make application to the dental program.

Selected Required Coursework (Complete before applying or be enrolled at the time of application:

• ORI 101 English Composition
• ENG 101 English Composition
• MTH 100 or Higher Level                                                                                            

Secure your UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT COPIES from ALL your colleges you have attended, including Lawson State for your Dental Assisting application.  Do NOT omit any colleges. 

You must upload ALL unofficial transcripts to your Dental Assistant application regardless of whether or not they were previously submitted to the Admissions office (Including the Lawson State Community College transcripts).

We will NOT accept transfer credits listed on one transcript from a separate college, we need to see each transcript in its entirety. *It is the applicant's responsibility to obtain copies of each transcript from each institution previously attended and upload them to the application by the deadline. Failure to do so, will VOID your application.

Secure a copy of your official ACT scores validating you have a score of 14 or higher.  You will have to upload your scores to your online application. 

NOTE: All ACT scores are verified by a third party.  Falsifying of any records can and likely will lead to disciplinary action being sought up through suspension from the College.

Submit your completed application with all required documents.  ONLY completed applications will be considered.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR DENTAL ASSISTANT APPLICATION:

Click HERE to submit your application online by the June 30th deadline.  All applications MUST be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on or before the day it is due and include all required attachments (unofficial transcript copies, ACT scores, etc...).

For Fall Admissions, submit by June 30, by 11:59 p.m.

DAT Essential Functions

Radiation Handbook

Radiation Safety Handbook

Bloodborne Pathogens Policy

Bloodborne Pathogens Consent Form for Patients

Infectious Disease Notification