Overview

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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

Certifications

 

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

 

Externship

Although not a requirement, once students complete the program, they have the ability to participate in an externship and/or hands on practicum so as to practice the skills necessary to perform the job requirements of a professional in this field. Students will be assisted with completing a resume and/or other requirements necessary to work in this field. All students who complete this program are eligible to participate in an externship and will be placed with a participating organization near their location.

NOTE: In order to take an externship, one must successfully complete and pass the national certification exam.

 

 

 

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Texas A&M University - Texarkana

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Texas A&M University - Texarkana

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Best Value

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3 months payments

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6 months payments

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Mobile-Ready

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100% Self Paced

Certificate of Completion

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