Dental Assistant
9 Months – Total Clock Hours: 900
2025 – 2026 Tuition: $10,994
Start date: 8/27/2025
Admission Requirements
Application Fee, Application for Admission, Enrollment Agreement, High School Diploma or GED, Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse Clearance.
Program Description
The mission of the Dental Assisting program is to prepare academically competent adults who are prepared for the Certified Dental Assisting (CDA) exam* through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB); and to make students occupationally proficient for employment, while establishing a sound foundation for continued learning.
The Dental Assisting program integrates lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences to teach students a variety of dental-related subject. The major areas of study include anatomy and physiology, chairside dental assisting, radiology, dental materials, and microbiology/sterilization.
The program also covers pharmacology, oral pathology, dental anatomy, computer introduction, medical/dental emergencies, dental office business procedures, legal/ethical management, and communications. Experience gained in the Dental Assisting program prepares students for the national certification testing in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE), which are required prior to taking the
Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam through DAN8.
Training Provided: OSHA Certificate; Act 31 Child Abuse
Training: DANB RHS; DANB ICE: CPR/AED AHA BLS Healthcare Provider
* Subject to passing.
Courses In This Program Include:
Course Descriptions
DAI-110: Introduction to Dental Assisting, Safety, and Infection Control
In Introduction to Dental Assisting, Safety, and Infection Control, students will receive an introduction to dental assisting, safety and emergency procedures, and operative dentistry. Students learn the terminology associated with the dental profession, knowledge of healthcare teams and their assigned roles, and the history of dentistry. Learning includes understanding ethics and laws, the state Dental Practice Act, levels of suspension, and the names of the regulatory agencies that oversee the dental industry. Students will gain a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology related to dental care, which includes describing all head and neck structures related to dentistry, name and explain primary and permanent teeth numbers and locations, describe parts of a tooth, tooth surfaces, and types of teeth. This course includes the principles of infection control with a focus on disease transmission, the proper way to apply Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), how to disinfect an operatory and sterilize instruments, as well as how to prepare an operatory for various procedures and patients. Students are taught to position a patient, assist with an exam, take impressions, and exchange instruments all while maintain moisture control. This course introduces practice management and the basics of communication. (100 lecture hours, 90 lab hours)
DAR-146: Clinical, Preventive & Comprehensive Dentistry
During Clinical, Preventive & Comprehensive Dentistry students are taught advanced skills associated with the areas of infection control, operative dentistry, and laboratory procedures. A focus on computerized or manual patient registration and advanced practice management skills are included in this course. Students are taught how to take vital signs and respond to basic medical emergencies. During the lecture and lab component of this course, students learn about preventative care, pharmacology, and how to properly answer patient questions following all office and state regulated guidelines. An overview of periodontics, prosthodontics, endodontics, and orthodontics are included in this course component. Students are taught the skills to set-up and assist with all major dental procedures, including those for dental specialties. By the conclusion of this course, this course provides students with the opportunity to continue honing their skills related to taking and properly pouring impressions, ensuring proper safety skills in all aspects of the work day, and providing ethical and legal care to patients at all times. (118 lecture hours, 172 lab hours)
DAE-208: Dental Assisting Externship and Employment Process
Externship and Employment Process focuses on a 30-day externship, as well as preparation of a digital portfolio including a resume, cover letter, reference page, and copies of all certifications. Mock interviews at a local dental office are included in this course to further prepare students for the employment process. During the lecture component of this course, students learn about career opportunities, job search skills, and interviewing techniques. Students should have obtained their DANB Radiology Certification, earned their OSHA HealthCare Provider Card, completed Mandated Reporter Training, and obtained their CPR/AED Certification that are vital in today’s workforce. (8 lecture hours, 2 lab hours, 210 Externship hours)
RAD-200: Dental Radiology
The radiology curriculum includes theory lessons on the following basics: radiation characteristics and properties, infection control and legal issues, equipment and digital imaging, image mounting and viewing, dental radiographer and patient safety, intraoral and extraoral exposure techniques, extraoral and three-dimensional imaging, anatomy, image interpretation. Students will also learn and practice how to position patients for exposure, select accessories, expose a full mouth series of images using the paralleling technique, mount and duplicate radiographs, expose occlusal and panoramic images, and expose images using the bisecting technique. (135 lecture hours, 65 lab hours)