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Dental Assisting

Are you looking for a rewarding field with an array of opportunities? Do you like to help people and learn new things? Come and join the Dental Assisting program at CCTC which will put you on the path to a successful career.

The length of this course is about 11 months, with an estimated total cost of $7,170.00

Dental Assisting Fee Sheet

Dental assistants are valuable and respected members of the dental care team, assisting the dentist in the delivery of quality oral health care for people of all ages.

Dental assistants work under the supervision of dentists and work closely with dental hygienists.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 18 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. With ongoing research linking oral health to general health this will likely increase the demand for preventive dental services.

The program is designed to prepare students for employment as dental assistants. Students graduate with entry-level skills for general chair side, dental laboratory and business office administration. Graduates receive a state certification in radiography and dental assisting expanded functions. The students are prepared to take the national board exam to earn the credential of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). This program meets all competencies required by the Florida Department of Education for Dental Assistants.

Dental assistant’s job responsibilities may include:

  • Patient comfort
  • Prepare work area for treatments and procedures
  • Sterilize dental instruments
  • Four-handed/six-handed dentistry
  • Maintain moisture control
  • Review proper oral hygiene instructions with patients
  • Under the supervision of a dentist, process x rays, and complete lab tasks
  • Maintain patient records
  • Schedule patient appointments
  • Work with patients on billing and insurance
  • Assistants perform lab procedures, such as taking and pouring up casts of a patient’s teeth, fabricating whitening trays, as well as creating temporary crowns.

2023 Schedule:

Start Date:

Class times are from 8:00am – 2:30pm
Clinical Times Vary.

OUR STUDENTS FIND EMPLOYMENT IN 
private dental offices, public health dental clinics, military services, laboratories, insurance companies and consulting firms.

Courses and Credit Hours

OCP Course Number Course Title Length SOC Code
A DEA0725 Introduction to Dental Assisting 90 hours 31-9099
B DEA0726 Dental Infection Control Assistant 210 hours 31-9099
C DEA0727 Dental Assisting 1 465 hours 31-9091
DEA0728 Dental Assisting 2 465 hours
  • 1230 hours (approximately 11 months in length)
  • The program completes with a 300-hour internship at a local dental office or clinic.

The following table illustrates the post-secondary program structure:

COURSE CONTENT

The dental assisting program covers chairside assisting, laboratory procedures, and dental business operations. These areas include, but are not limited to the knowledge of:

  • dental anatomy
  • physiology
  • oral histology
  • microbiology
  • infection control
  • pharmacology
  • radiography
  • dental materials
  • oral pathology
  • ethics and jurisprudence

Admission Requirements

  • Prospective students must be 18 years of age and a high school graduate or its equivalent by the first day of class and meet minimum admission criteria for the Dental Assistant.
  • Prospective students are required to attend an information session.
  • Students are required to achieve the following scores on the “Test for Adult Basic Education” (TABE):
  • Mathematics – 10
  • Language – 10
  • Reading – 10

Once accepted the student will need to complete a physical, dental exam, immunizations, drug screen, and background check.

  • To get started – call 239-574-4440 or email our Admissions Office today!

Health and Safety

Students enrolled in the CCTC Dental Assisting Program should understand that the required clinical experiences on campus and in various dental facilities may expose them to environmental hazards and infectious diseases including, but not limited to Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, and HIV.

OSHA maintains a website devoted to public safety and health information topics for Healthcare Facilities. Below is the link to applicable standards and common hazards, including bloodborne pathogens, hazardous materials, ionizing radiation, needle sticks, and chemical exposures.

The student shall be required to wear the approved school uniform, protective eyewear, appropriate masks, gloves, and lab coats during the intro mural an extramural laboratory in clinical activities. The student shall be required to observe CDC guidelines for Infection Control in Dentistry and follow all applicable mandates of the OSHA Blood-borne Pathogen Standard during all intramural and extramural laboratory and clinical activities.

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthcarefacilities/index.html

Accreditations, Licenses, Certifications

Florida State Department of Education, Florida State Board of Dentistry

This program is accredited through the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Graduates are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certified Dental Assistant http://danb.org to become a Certified Dental Assistant. The national certification exam is administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The exam focuses on chairside, radiation health and safety, and infection control. The CDA credential is granted upon successful completion of all three sections. The exam fee is $425. (Based on 2019-2020 fees). Taking the entire exam is an exit requirement of this program.

Industry Certification:

Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam to earn the credential of Certified Dental Assistant

Teachers:

Christy Bessette, CDA EFDA, CRDH, BHS
Chris Weygant, EFDA, CDA

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