Dental Assistant

Program Description:

This 15 week course is designed to provide sufficient practical training for the required amount of hours of clinical work and lectures to satisfy your state’s requirements. (Varies from state to state.) In 15 weeks, students can perform comfortably in any dental office environment. Lectures are based on the Dental Assisting textbook provided with the course. Students are encouraged to begin their clinical/lab training soon after being introduced to the methodology.

Clinical/Lab training is designed to fit into the student’s schedule and to match their determination. As such, the hands-on portion of the program can be arranged around the student’s schedule during normal operating hours of participating clinics. During these clinical/lab hours the students work with dental assistants and dentists at participating clinics while under the instruction of Dental Assistant Education Center Faculty. 

Program Objective:

After Successful completion of the program the student will be able to perform the following dental assistant duties: four-handed dentistry, Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for dental assistants, proper PPE for patients, take alginate impressions, take Poly-Vinyl-siloxane (PVS) impressions, take digital impressions (Using a scanner), take intra-oral and extra-oral digital radiographs, set up for the following procedures: routine extractions, surgical extractions, root canal therapy, direct composite restorations, crown & bridge, routine cleaning, periodontal treatment, Nitrous Oxide seat and dismiss patient, give verbal post-operative instructions, patient anxiolysis techniques, provisional fabrication and extra-oral adjustment, assist in electronic health records maintenance , disinfection techniques, sterilization techniques, minor equipment maintenance & troubleshooting, clinical maintenance schedule knowledge, inventory and ordering knowledge, OSHA compliance, and HIPPA compliance.

Occupational Objective:

The graduate will have acquired the skills and experience to obtain an entry-level position in the field of dental assisting.

There is a dress code requirement for our students at all times during instruction. Lab coats will be provided by DAEC  to wear for clinical externship. For information on tuition costs and financing, please refer to our state catalog.

Course is based on percentage (refer to school catalog for details); no letter grades will be given. DAEC students work with a trainer and will complete a proficiency packet. The student and trainer (instructor) work together until the trainer is confident the student is proficient in needed skills as outlined in the proficiency packet.

When an unexpected closure occurs due to extraordinary conditions such as inclement weather, students will be notified as soon as possible by phone or text.

Classes are not held on the following holidays:

• New Year’s Eve
• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day