Dental Assisting
Program Overview
The Dental Assisting Program consists of three classes, each described below. Emphasis is placed on the areas of dental specialization, organization of the dental health team, legal/ethical/compliance issues, head and neck anatomy, dental nomenclature, dental anatomy, dental pathology, microbiology and dental infection control, pharmacology, anesthesiology, the impact of nutrition on dental health, procuring a patient’s medical/dental history and vital signs, completion of a dental chart, the instruments, materials, and techniques used in chairside procedures and dental emergencies, dental office management procedures, dental radiography, digital radiography, and in-service clinical practice.
Dental Assisting 1 (180 Hours)
Brief Course Description: Technical instruction includes an orientation, workplace safety policies and procedures, and communication skills. Emphasis is placed on the areas of dental specialization, organization of the dental health team, legal/ethical/compliance issues, head and neck anatomy, dental nomenclature, dental anatomy, dental pathology, microbiology and dental infection control, pharmacology, anesthesiology, and the impact of nutrition on dental health. It also covers the materials, equipment, and procedures used in a dental laboratory.
- Cost of Tuition: $0
- Cost of Books, Supplies and/or Fees: Approximately $100 (books)
- Financial Aid: May be available. (See Advisor)
- Course Prerequisites
- STEP Orientation
- High School Diploma or Equivalency
- Evidence of Vaccination: Hepatitis B series
- Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (AHA BLS) certification
- TB clearance and physical exam
- Reading Assessment Requirement: Yes | 228 or higher on CASAS GOALS reading assessment
- Math Assessment Requirement: Yes | 10th grade or higher per CASAS GOALS math assessment
- STEP Orientation: Yes
Dental Assisting 2 (180 Hours)
Brief Course Description: This competency-based course is the second in a sequence of three designed for dental assisting. It provides students with project-based experiences in chairside assisting and dental emergency procedures. Technical instruction includes an introduction, review of workplace safety policies and procedures, compliance review, dental mathematics, resource management, and employability skills. Emphasis is placed on procuring a patient’s medical/dental history and vital signs, completion of a dental chart, and the instruments/materials/techniques used in chairside procedures and dental emergencies.
- Cost of Tuition: $0
- Cost of Books, Supplies and/or Fees: Approximately $100 (books)
- Financial Aid: May be available. (See Advisor)
- Course Prerequisites: Completion of Dental Assistant 1
- Reading Assessment Requirement: Not applicable
- Math Assessment Requirement: Not applicable
- STEP Orientation: Not applicable
Dental Assisting 3 (180 hours)
Brief Course Description: This competency-based course is the last in a sequence of three designed for dental assisting. It provides students with project based experiences in the dental office and clinic. Technical instruction includes an introduction, reviews of workplace safety policies and procedures, compliance issues, and employability skills, as well as introductory entrepreneurship. Emphasis is placed on dental office management procedures, dental radiography, digital radiography, and in-service clinical practice.
- Cost of Tuition: $0
- Cost of Books, Supplies and/or Fees: Approximately $160 (books)
- Financial Aid: May be available. (See Advisor)
- Course Prerequisites: Completion of Dental Assistant 2
- Reading Assessment Requirement: Not applicable
- Math Assessment Requirement: Not applicable
- STEP Orientation: Not applicable
Separate costs for books, exams, supplies, preparation, certifications and/or licenses provided by outside vendors may be incured.
Once a Certificate of Completion is earned in a course, that course cannot be repeated.
