Dental Assisting (AAS)

Dental assistants are essential participants in the dental care delivery system. This program prepares students to meet the requirements for employment as a dental assistant. The dental assistant performs patient care procedures and dental office duties under the direction of a dentist. Duties for patient care include preparing dental operatories for receiving patients for examinations, sick calls or routine dental treatment, reviewing and updating patient health histories, charting existing patient treatment as well as patient needs, taking and displaying radiographs, taking and recording vital signs, assisting the general dentist or dental specialist while conducting several laboratory procedures. Dental office duties include communications and public relations, appointment scheduling and recall systems, supply and inventory control, accounts payable and accounts receivable (collections). This program includes instruction in both clinical and administrative functions. Instruction includes on-campus classroom and laboratory courses, distance learning, and off-campus clinical rotations.

The dental assistant program is comprehensive by providing the correct mix of hands on skills and general education to ensure graduates are able to function effectively as highly skilled professionals. A variety of instructional methods are utilized in program courses to support the learning style of each student, yet challenge the student to recognize and develop alternative learning styles.