Dental Assistant Program Application Reset Password For: Kendra Wilichowski 10059983
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Health Professions

Begin the first step towards a career as a Dental Assistant. Apply today!

Initiate the first step in your dental assisting career by applying for the Dental Assistant Program. Please see How to Apply before applying to the Dental Assistant program.
 
All application materials must be received on the designated deadline date and time. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, then it will be the following business day.

The Dental Assisting Program qualifies for Arkansas and Federal student aid, however, it does not qualify for the Academic Challenge Scholarship (Lottery Scholarship) due to program being a technical certificate.  Discuss your individual situation with the Financial Aid Office. Apply for Financial Aid as soon as possible for priority processing.
 

Application Period

Fall semester: April 1st - August 15th 

All materials must be received by the Dental Director on August 15th at 3:00 p.m. Dental Assistant applications are submitted by Dropbox. Directions are provided on the application. Please follow all directions carefully.

Download Application

General Admission Information

The program administrator and faculty, in cooperation with appropriate institutional personnel, establish admissions procedures which are non-discriminatory, contribute to the quality of the program, and allow a selection of students with the potential to successfully complete the program. 

  • You must have the ability to communicate safely, accurately, and effectively in both written and spoken English.  If English is your second language, you ae encouraged to enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) to enhance your success.
  • Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance
  • ACT reading score of 19 or Accuplacer reading comprehension test of 78 is required
  • Graduate from an accredited high school or equivalent with a 2.0 GPA.
  • Have a grade point average of 2.0 for all college work
  • Have official high school and college transcripts
  • Complete application for enrollment in the program
  • Students must provide their own transportation to off-campus clinical sites.

How to Apply

Adult Students: If you are not currently enrolled at NWACC, you need to apply for admission to the college in addition to applying to the Dental Assistant program. Apply now to NWACC.

High School Students: High school juniors or seniors are eligible to enroll. Concurrent credit may be available through the student's high school. Contact your school counselor for more information on enrolling. Learn more through our High School Programs.

2. Complete your Dental Assisting application packet

Selection Criteria:

There is an established admissions committee which includes the program administrator and the clinical coordinator. 

Applicants are interviewed on a first to apply, first to interview basis until all roster slots are filled. Applications received after the roster is filled will be placed on a waiting list for potential openings. There are frequent changes during the summer months prior to classes beginning in August.

The following criteria standards are used during the selection process:

  1. Students who have completed the application packet during the application period. If application is completed after the initial roster has filled, the student will be selected pending space availability.
  2. Background check and drug screening is required.

Acceptance into the Program:

The Dental Assisting Program Director will inform you of the status of your application by email upon receipt of all required documents.

Upon selection to the program, you will be required to complete the following requirements:

  1. Students will be given instructions on the background check procedure which will include providing vaccination documentation, TB skin testing and drug screening.
  2. Admission to and continuation in the Dental Assisting program requires you to maintain a grade of C (75%) or better in all required Dental Assisting courses.
  3. A selected uniform and adherence to the dress code is required (est. cost $75 - $150).
  4. American Heart Association CPR/Basic Life Support for Health Professionals training will be provided in the program during the first month of classes.

Non-Native Speakers of English

Non-Native Speakers of English, seeking admission into Health Professions programs are required to complete an ESL Listening Test.  Students can receive more information and/or schedule to take this test through the NWACC testing center, 479-619-4354 or visit www.nwacc.edu/web/ldc_testingcenter/.  The ESL
listening test is designed to assess a student’s ability to understand Standard American English.  A score of 92 or higher on the COMPASS ESL listening test (taken within the last three (3) years) OR a score of 120 or higher on the Accuplacer ESL listening test is REQUIRED for NNSs students seeking entrance
into Health Professions Programs at NWACC.  The minimum score or higher indicates the ability to understand linguistically complex discussions, including academic lectures and factual reports.  NNSs students seeking career paths in Health Professions scoring below the minimum will need to retest and successfully pass by July 1st.