Apply to the Dental Assistant Program

Step into a new career

Each year, up to 24 candidates, including up to 3 candidates for the DA-DH Bridge program, are randomly selected to begin the Dental Assistant program in the fall semester. Dental Assistants, Registered Dental Assistants and graduates from other dental assistant programs are not eligible for the DA-DH Bridge program.

For more information or questions on the admission to the DH program via the DA-DH Bridge pathway, please contact (951) 571-6433.

Program Overview About the Certificate and Degree

Eligibility and Requirements

The Certificate of Completion in Dental Assistant Program is a ten-month full-time educational tract. It includes the fall and spring semesters and winter intersession over a one-year academic period. Upon completion of the dental assistant program, the students will earn a Certificate of Completion. Students are encouraged to take the additional requirements needed to fulfill the Dental Assistant associates in science degree.
  1. Program Prerequisite: Previous Academic GPA (either high-school or college course work if attempted) of 2.0 or higher.
  2. MVC application on file and eligibility to attend MVC.
  3. Valid CPR certification (BLS Healthcare Provider, hands on course) from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
  4. A Health History Clearance Form completed, signed by a licensed physician or by MVC Student Health Services.
  5. Copy of High School Diploma and official transcripts.
  6. Students must attend a mandatory orientation session. Dates will be distributed once selected into the program.

Students selected for the program will be admitted pending submission of a valid CPR Certification card (BLS Healthcare Provider Course), verification of immunity and receiving the Hepatitis B vaccination, tetanus, MMR, and TB testing and Health form. The CPR card must be kept current throughout the program.

Students accepted into the Dental Assistant Program will be accepted pending proof of:

  1. Having received immunizations including Hepatitis B vaccination, tetanus, MMR, pertussis, and TB testing.
  2. Have the Health History Clearance Form completed by their doctor or by the Moreno Valley College Student Health Services.
  3. Submitting a cleared background check and negative drug testing including free from medical marijuana.

Bloodborne Pathogens Statement

Dental health professionals may be exposed to contagious diseases therefore strict compliance with Center of Disease Control (CDC) and OSHA standards are maintained. Policies on bloodborne and infectious diseases are available upon request from the Dental Assistant Program.

Request Information

Application Process

  • 1

    Apply to Moreno Valley College

    Students must apply to MVC prior to applying to the Dental Assistant Program.
  • 2

    Review program information and eligibility requirements

    Students applying to the Dental Assistant Program must have all eligibility requirements completed at the time of application. Meeting minimum requirements for the program does not guarantee admission into the program.
  • 3

    Complete prerequisite requirements

    Have a valid BLS Healthcare Provider CPR Certification card, have a previous Academic GPA (either high-school or college course work if attempted) of 2.0 or higher, and provide a copy of your high school diploma and official transcripts with your application.
    Failure to meet the deadline for showing proof of the required, valid BLS Healthcare Provider CPR Certification card, and verification of the English pre-requisite will result in forfeiting admission into the program. Students seeking CPR certification can take any AHA approved course.
  • 4

    Complete and submit your program application

    Applications are only accepted through the Dental Assistant Program office. Applications can be mailed, emailed or hand-delivered to the Dental Assistant Program office.
    A new application for 2022-23 is available!
  • 5

    Complete health screening requirements

    Students accepted into the Dental Assistant Program will be accepted pending proof of completed immunizations and health history clearance.
    A low cost physical and at-cost immunizations are available through Student Health and Psychological Services on campus.
  • 6

    Attend an orientation session

    Students must attend a mandatory orientation session. Dates will be distributed once selected into the program.

Selection Criteria

Preference is given to those students meeting the Riverside Community College District (RCCD) and MVC residency requirements i.e. applicants residing within the District boundaries and students that have previously attended an RCCD college for a full semester).

If a student is not offered a space in the program, a new application will be necessary for the following year.

Students meeting RCCD residency requirements and other eligibility requirements. If there are more than 24 applicants that meet these requirements, then a random drawing of 24 applicants will occur to select the 24 students for admission in to the Dental Assistant Program. An additional 24 applicants will be randomly selected to be on the waiting list for admission for that year only. They will be assigned a waiting list number according to the order they are selected.

Students meeting all eligibility requirements but not the RCCD residency requirement. This category will be used only if there are not enough applicants to fulfill the needs of the program in First Priority Category. The number of students selected from the secondary priority selection pool of applicants will depend on the number of applicants needed to fulfill the program and waiting-list slots.

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