Dental Assistant Certification

Course Description

The Dental Assistant program prepares students for entry-level positions in one of the fastest growing healthcare professions. 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.

The program prepares learners for entry-level positions as a chair-side dental assistant. This program 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 learners with all areas of administrative and clinical dental assisting focusing on the responsibilities required to function as an assistant in a dental practice.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the process for gathering and assessing patient health information
• Explain the foundations of and procedures used in clinical dentistry
• Summarize the use of radiology in dentistry and issues associated with it
• Describe the primary materials, instruments, and equipment used in dentistry including basic care and maintenance of instruments
• Outline how dental assistants assist with various dental procedures and types of dentistry
• Summarize the essential administrative and communication skills required of dental assistants
• Explain the anatomy, physiology, and pathology concepts associated with dentistry
• Explain infection control, safety, and emergency procedures and regulations in the dental environment
• Explain pediatric and orthodontic procedures and tools

Materials Provided

All materials are included within the course.

Measure of Performance

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

	Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiation Health and Safety (RHS)
	National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Dental Assistant Clinical Certification (DACC)

Ready to Work (RTW) Job and Externship Placement Services

If you enroll and successfully complete this program you will have guaranteed access to our Ready to Work (RTW) Job and Externship Placement Services at no additional cost. Ready to Work (RTW) provides comprehensive career support services including: resume building, employer outreach, and individualized placement guidance.

Our RTW Job Placement Recruiters actively work with employers to place students in local employment opportunities on a daily basis.

However, if you choose the RTW Externship Placement (as opposed to Job Placement), please note the following requirements:

• Drug Screen and Background Checks are Required: Must be completed prior to externship placement.
• Weekday Externship Availability Required: You must be available Monday through Friday, between 7am – 5pm for a minimum of 4 hours per day. You may attend 2, 3, 4 or 5 days per week.
• Evening and Weekend Externships Are NOT Available: Except for certain Pharmacy Technician externship placements which may have evening and weekend opportunities.
• Externship Must be Completed On-Site at the Employer Facility - Remote Externships Are Not Available: Except for certain limited remote Medical Billing & Coding (MBC) externships which may be completed remotely.

*Please Note: You do not have to participate in the Ready to Work (RTW) Job or Externship Placement process to pursue national certifications that may be available once you successfully complete your program.

Disclaimer: Once you have successfully completed this Behavioral Technician program, students are encouraged to pursue employment as a behavioral technician to gain valuable work experience prior to sitting for the RBT certification exam. For students interested in immediately pursuing RBT certification prior to employment – you will be required to complete a mandatory 40 hour live online instructor led program after you complete this online program. There is no additional cost for this 40-hour live online instructor led program.

Course Requirements

High School Diploma or Equivalent

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please fill out the self-disclosure form. The Office of Disability Services coordinates services for students with disabilities. Documentation of a disability needs to be on file in that office before any accommodations can be provided.