Selective Admission: Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)

Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) is a selective admission program. Applying to TCC does not mean you have applied to our RDA Program.

After being accepted to TCC, you must meet the following requirements to be eligible to start the admission process for our RDA Program.

Am I eligible to apply?

Check to see that you have met the following eligibility requirements:

Grade Point Average (GPA)

No minimum GPA required for this program.

High School Diploma or GED

You must have a high school diploma or GED.

Minimum Age Requirement

Must be 18 years of age by the spring semester to attend the clinical portion of the program.

TCC Student ID Number

First, you must apply to TCC.

Apply online with ApplyTCC (use Firefox or Chrome for the best experience)

Once you are accepted as a student at TCC, you will get a TCC Student ID number.

You need a TCC Student ID number for your application to our RDA Program.

Admissions Requirements

  1. Attend an information session

    Attending an information session is an admissions requirement.

    All information sessions will be held in-person.

    Application Instructions

    When you attend an in-person information session, we will give you materials and forms that you will need for your RDA application.

    We will also give the instructions for completing and submitting your RDA application.

    When & Where

    You do not have to register.

    Questions?

    Laurie Semple, Program Coordinator
    817-515-6151
    laurie.semple@tccd.edu

    Northeast Campus Health Sciences Department
    817-515-6435
    health.sciences@tccd.edu

  2. Pass a criminal background check and drug screening

  3. Verify you have health insurance

    Student health insurance option:

    • As a courtesy to TCC students who want to get health insurance, we are providing a link to Edusure, a marketplace that gives options for buying personal health insurance.
    • Disclaimer: By visiting the Edusure link, you are leaving TCC's website and going to a third-party website. TCC is not responsible for the content, views, or privacy policies of the third-party site.
  4. Complete Dental Assisting Form

    Complete Occupational Outlook Summary Form (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), which will be in the admission packet.

Valid Social Security Number

Our RDA Program requires a total of 224 clinic hours.

To be placed in a clinic site, you must have the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) credential.

The application for the TSBDE RDA credential requires a valid Social Security Number.

Recommended Course

We strongly recommend you take the following course while enrolled in the program—during the spring semester:

  • DNTA–2000 Nitrous Oxide Course & Exam

CPR Certification

You must have a current Basic Life Support CPR certification from the American Heart Association.

Performance Requirements

During your time in our program and throughout your career, you must meet performance requirements to ensure patient safety and welfare.

Immunizations

The Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation Community Standards (PDF)Listen require that all students in health-related programs complete the following immunizations before applying to programs where patient contact is a component.

In order to be eligible to apply, you will need to have proof that you have completed the following immunizations:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (TDaP)
  • Rubeola / Measles, Mumps, Rubella / German Measles (MMR)
  • Varicella
  • Influenza (Flu Shot)

Note: Titers showing positive immunity to the diseases will be acceptable.

You will also need to complete a Tuberculosis Skin Test or Chest X-Ray.

COVID-19 Vaccination 

TCC does not require students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 

However, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required by the clinical rotation sites affiliated with the TCC Dental Assistant Program. 

 

Contact

Northeast Campus

Health Sciences Department

Visit NHSC, Room 1118

Call 817-515-6435

Email health.sciences@tccd.edu

Northeast Campus

Laurie Semple
Program Coordinator

Email laurie.semple@tccd.edu

Updated February 08, 2024