Dental Assistant
Overview
The Dental Assisting Program prepares students for entry-level positions in one of the fastest growing healthcare professions – Dental Assisting. With the national increase in healthcare-related services, and the national shortage of healthcare professionals, the need for dental assistants is growing substantially. With a growing workforce over 300,000 strong, a career in dental assisting ranks as the fourth fastest growing occupation in the healthcare technician field. To meet our nation’s growing medical demands, recent studies indicate that over 400,000 assistants will be employed by 2028.
The program prepares students for entry-level positions as a chair-side dental assistant. This course covers the history of dentistry, introduction to the dental office, the legal aspects of dentistry, introduction to oral anatomy, dental operatory, introduction to tooth structure (primary and permanent teeth), the oral cavity; and other areas. The purpose of this program is to familiarize students with all areas of administrative and clinical dental assisting focusing on the responsibilities required to function as an assistant in a dental practice. This course covers the following key areas and topics:
- The dental assisting profession and the history of Dental anatomy and physiology
- Tooth charting, tooth surfaces, and classification of restorations on a tooth
- Parts of the jaw, areas of the mouth, oral health and preventions of dental disease
- Infection control in dentistry and occupational health and safety
- Patient information and assessment
- Foundation of clinical dentistry
- Dental radiology
- Single crown restoration, bridge, implant, partial denture, and full denture
- Dental equipment, accessories and the treatment room, hand pieces & accessories
- Dental cements and impression materials; Assisting in comprehensive dental care
- Coding of radiology services and the use of ICD-9-CM codes
- Dental administration and communication skills
Certification
There are several National Certification exams that are available to students who successfully complete this program:
1. Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) exam, which consists of 3 components:
- Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam
- Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Infection Control (ICE) exam
- Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology (AMP) exam
2. CPR, BLS or ACLS from a DANB-accepted provider
- CPR certification voucher will be provided to students for CPR class by a DANB accepted provider.
Note: Students meet the NELDA exam eligibility requirements via Pathway I:
1. Graduation from a dental assisting program located within a post-secondary institution that is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, AND
2. High school graduation or equivalent, AND
3. Current hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS from a DANB-accepted provider
Note: Inclusion of National Certification exam vouchers vary from school and payment / finance method. To check if they are included, you may message any of our advisors through any of our available channels here
Financial Aid
Grants (Military)
- MyCAA for Eligible US Military Spouses
MyCAA is a $4000 education grant for spouses of service members on active duty in paygrades E1-E5, W1-W2, O1-O2. Spouses married to members of the National Guard and Reserves in the same paygrades, in title 10 orders, are also eligible.
MyCAA covers: tuition, externship and national certification exam vouchers
Our university partners provide, as job aids, at no extra cost: books / workbooks, laptop, mentor support, 12 mos subscription to CampusEd, job placement assistance.
To see if you qualify, message us here
- Army Credentialing Assistance
The Army Credentialing Assistance (CA) program is a government-instituted training and education program that provides a grant of up to $4,000 to eligible soldiers. The grant can be used to enroll in more than 1,600 industry-recognized off-duty career-training certificate programs, licensure exams, and academic or vocational credentials, and even re-certification. It was first made available in October 1, 2019 to the Fort Hood, Fort Campbell, Fort Carson, Fort Drum, Fort Riley, and JBLM bases. As of January 1, 2020, the program is available to all installations.
To see if you qualify, email us here
Grants (Non Military)
- Workforce Grant
We have partnered with private institutions to provide assistance to qualified students. The Workforce Grant is in place to help reinvigorate the workforce amidst the ongoing pandemic. If qualified, a student may receive up to 50% of tuition assistance.
To see if you qualify, message us here
Payment Plans
- Zero Interest Monthly Payment Plans
Payment plans are available for any student at zero interest. This option is available for every university partner. Click here for a complete list.
See where this program is available
Clemson University
Payment Options
Grant Options
Fresno Pacific University
Payment Options
Grant Options
No Grant options for this school yet.
Louisiana State University - Shreveport
Payment Options
Grant Options
No Grant options for this school yet.
University of Texas at El Paso
Payment Options
Grant Options
No Grant options for this school yet.
