Dental Assisting

Overview

Dental assisting programs teach people to help dentists and dental hygienists.

Dental assisting programs include topics such as:

Chairside assisting
Patient preparation
Radiological technology
Recordkeeping
Equipment maintenance
Reception and patient intake

During training, students have the opportunity to practice and apply the knowledge and skills they learned under the supervision of a dentist or experienced dental assistant.

Schools

Many career and technical schools as well as many two-year and community colleges offer certificate and associate degree programs in dental assisting. A certificate program usually takes a year of full-time study. An associate degree program usually takes two years of full-time study.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Dental Assistants

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

Proprietary schools, colleges, and universities all offer this program. If you want to study at a proprietary school, you can prepare for this program of study by completing your high school diploma or getting a GED. If you want to study at a college or university, you can prepare for this program by taking the following courses: four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

In addition, some programs require some applicants to complete the following college-level courses:

Composition
First Aid and CPR
General Psychology
Medical Terminology
Public Speaking

Additional requirements may include:

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT)
English and Math competency entrance tests
Letters of recommendation
Personal interview

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Anatomy and Physiology
Community Health
Dental Assisting
General Computer Applications
Health Education
Healthcare Occupations
Healthcare Sciences Work Experience
Psychology
Safety and First Aid

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Allied Dental Theory
Chairside Dental Assisting
Clinical Science
Computer Applications in Modern Dentistry
Dental Anatomy
Dental Clinical Procedures
Dental Emergency
Dental Materials
Dental Pharmacology and Pain Control
Dental Radiology
Head and Neck Anatomy
Oral Pathology
Practice Management, Ethics, and Jurisprudence
Preventative Dentistry

All programs include clinical externships. These are opportunities to practice what you've learned in the classroom in different clinical settings. Plus, you have the benefit of working under the supervision of an experienced dentist or dental hygienist.

Things to Know

Although not required, getting certified is strongly recommended for dental assisting graduates. Graduating from an accredited program qualifies you to take a national certification exam.

Some states may have their own certification and registration requirements as well.

You are expected to pay for your own uniforms for clinical work.