If you enjoy working with people, want a rewarding career in the health profession, and want to earn a competitive salary, consider Dental Assisting.

The University of Maine at Augusta’s dental assisting program is the only accredited dental assisting program in Maine, currently offered at the Bangor Campus and Lewiston Center. Attending an accredited dental assisting program allows graduates to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board Certified Dental Assisting (CDA*) exam immediately upon successful completion of the program.

*CDA and DANB are registered trademarks of the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB). This website is not reviewed or endorsed by DANB.

The Dental Assisting Program prepares students to be integral members of the oral health team through classroom learning and experiences in a variety of clinical dentistry settings.

This Program is designed for individuals who are interested in becoming members of the dental health care delivery team. The curriculum is designed to provide a broad educational experience in the theory and practice of dental assisting, as well as a background in biological sciences and the humanities. It also includes a minimum of 300 hours of externship experience.

The dental assisting student will be educated in four handed dentistry and in the duties often delegated to dental assistants, including dental radiography, oral health education, and business office responsibilities.

Students gain practical experience through clinical and laboratory sessions and through extramural assignments in general and specialty dental practices, community and hospital dental clinics, and dental laboratories.

Learn more about UMA’s Dental Assisting Program

Admission Requirements

The Dental Assisting Program is a demanding and highly competitive program. Therefore, admission decisions are based solely on students who are admission eligible whose academic history reflects an ongoing pattern of success. Higher grades than the minimum required (with strong grades achieved particularly in the science coursework) are given greatest admission consideration.

Email the UMA Office of Admissions in Bangor for more information or call at 207-262-7812.

  • A high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
  • Passed all courses indicated by placement tests in math, reading, and writing with a grade of “C” or better.
    • A high school Bio 100 or Bio 110 course with a grade C or better.
    • Successful completion of high school or college mathmatics course
  • A cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher on a 4.0 scale from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Grades of “C-” or better in courses applied toward degree credit.
  • It is solely the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the completed application and related materials (such as high school transcripts, test scores, any transcripts of grades beyond high school, recommendations, etc.) are received by the Office of Admissions. Early application is encouraged because class size in limited.

New Student Information

Immunization Requirements

Students in the Dental Health Programs are likely to be exposed to bloodborne pathogens (infectious diseases) in their pre-clinical and clinical courses. The Programs teach and utilize the Center for Disease Control Infection Control Guidelines.

Immunizations required for the Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting, and Expanded Functions Dental Assisting Program include:

  • Hepatitis B Vaccine Series with Titre indicating immunity
  • Varicella vaccine, history of the disease, or titre showing immunity
  • Tetanus with the past 10 years
  • Flu vaccine each year enrolled in the clinical coursework
  • MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) series or titre indicating immunity

CPR Certification

Students must hold current certification in either the American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer or the American Heart Association Healthcare Provider. Failure to comply with any of the above will exclude the student from participating in preclinical and clinical courses.

Background Checks

Applicants to the Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs should be aware that a criminal background check may be required while enrolled in the program or as a condition of professional employment. Internship sites may limit or deny clinical privileges to those who have a prior or current criminal record. If denied clinical privileges, the student is at risk of not being able to obtain the number of clinical hours required for graduation. Students will be expected to provide clinical internship sites with a current background check at the request of the interning site(s), with associated expenses the students’ responsibility.

UMA Degrees are flexible. Here’s a sample of how you could complete your Dental Assisting Certificate.

Courses are subject to change. View the official UMA Catalog here.

Dental Assisting Certificate

Semester 1 (Spring)Credits
BIO 100 Human Biology4
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology3
COM 101 Public Speaking3
DEA 102 Biodental I3
DEA 225 Professionalism1
Total Credits14
Semester 2 (Fall)Credits
DEA 200 Preclinical DA Lab4
DEA 201 Preclinical DA Theory3
DEA 203 & 204 Radiology Lecture & Lab4
DEA 154 Biodental II3
DEA 103 Infection Control2
Total Credits16
Semester 3 (Spring)Credits
DEA 213 Dental Materials3
DEA 250 Clinical Practice7
DEA 253 Dental Health Education2
DEA 152 Dental Office Management2
Total Credits14

UMA Degrees are flexible. Here’s a sample of how you could complete your Dental Assisting degree.

Courses are subject to change. View the official UMA Catalog here.

Completion of DA certificate curriculum (above) plus the following courses:

Semester 4 (Fall)Credits
DEA 370 Preclinical Expanded Functions Dental Assisting Theory4
DEA 371 Preclinical Expanded Functions Dental Assisting Laboratory2
ENG 101 College Writing3
DEA 372 Dental Anatomy3
Total Credits12
Semester 5 (Spring)Credits
DEH 3812
MAT 100+3
Humanities3
Fine Arts3
CIS 100 Intro to Computing3
Total Credits14

Dental Assisting Program Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the Dental Assisting Program should be able to:

  • follow all state rules, laws and regulations pertaining to the scope of practice of dental assistants when carrying out key dental assisting functions such as, but not limited to: taking impressions, pouring up and trimming study casts, placing and removing matrix bands, orthodontic functions, and collecting patient data such as dietary analysis;
  • evaluate, interpret and synthesize both patient histories (medical, dental, etc.), as well as current dental research for patient education regarding oral health and diseases, including preventive and maintenance measures;
  • educate and promote oral health and its relationship to systemic health to patients and the public;
  • collect, maintain and organize data according to state and federal laws, including: patient records, radiographic images, intraoral photography, etc., in electronic databases as well as paper records;
  • understand and utilize proper state, federal and professional procedures and protocols for both patient and workplace safety including proper infection control procedures, proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials, Bloodborne Pathogens Standards, Hazard Communications, and all other standards and procedures set forth by OSHA, the CDC and other bodies;
  • understand, be sensitive to, and modify treatment as necessary in order to accommodate the disabilities, ethnic, or cultural needs of the patient;
  • demonstrate the breadth and depth of knowledge in the basic and social sciences, written and oral communications, college mathematics, dental sciences and clinical practice in order to be a productive contributor in a variety of settings such as: private offices, public health, or government installations;
  • demonstrate ethics, professionalism, community engagement, and professional development;
  • demonstrate critical thinking skills that allow the dental assistant to function in the orderly, neat and sequential manner required for chairside, 4-handed, dental assisting.

Certified Dental Assistants who are graduates of an accredited program are in high demand throughout the State of Maine.

Transition seamlessly from the program to several career options of clinical practice, schools, and public health agencies where the occupational outlook is strong and demand is rising for graduates.

Continued opportunities in career growth are possible through UMA’s Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program or as a registered dental hygienist in UMA’s Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) program.

Employment Opportunities

The Dental Health Programs oftentimes receive job opportunities from dental offices and dental employment agencies throughout the state of Maine and posts them as a professional courtesy. Visit Employment Opportunities to see what positions might be available in your area.

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