Dental Assistant Program

Program Overview

The Dental Assisting program trains and educates students to be competent Dental Assistants. The skills of a Dental Assistant are varied and challenging with a wide range of tasks that require interpersonal and technical skills.

The Dental Assisting Program offers students the opportunity to take the Dental Assisting National Board Exam in Infection Control and Radiation Health and Safety.

Students receive intense hands-on training in the dental shop at Diman as well as clinical rotations at local dental offices. Clinical experience can also be obtained through the Co-Op program.

The course requirements consist of average to above average grades in science and English. Students must posses a good degree of manual dexterity as well as good interpersonal skills.

Career opportunities can include flexible hours with part time and full time employment.

Skill Areas

• Prevention and Nutrition
• Basic Dental Sciences
• Pre-Clinical Dental Skills
• Clinical Dental Procedures
• Dental Radiography
• Dental Specialties
• Restorative and Laboratory Materials and Techniques
• Dental Practice Management

Certification

Certifications are an important component of the dental profession. The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is the certifying body for Dental Assistants. DANB offers three certifications to candidates that qualify to become a Certified Dental Assistant.

Students have the opportunity to obtain two of the DANB certifications as well as a certificate from the American Red Cross in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Sophomore students qualify for the Infection Control Exam upon successful completions of the Microbiology/Infection Control/Hazardous Waste Management curriculum.

Junior students qualify for the Radiation Health and Safety Exam upon successful completion of the Radiology Curriculum. Certification in Radiology is mandated by the State of Massachusetts.

The General Chairside certification is available to students who complete 3500 hours of clinical assisting. Hours may be accrued from CO -OP and post graduation hours.

Continuing Education

Upon completing full Certification in Dental Assisting (CDA), the student must earn 12 credits per year in related educational material in order to maintain their certification. Credits can be obtained by attending the Yankee Dental Conference in Boston, through local and national dental assistant associations as well as home study courses and the American Red Cross.

Community Service

The students participate in community service projects involving teaching oral hygiene care to elementary schools, and volunteering in child identification programs.

Skills USA

Students participate in leadership and technical skill competitions each year. The program has enjoyed success with winners in several events. Dental Assistant students have won gold, silver and bronze medallions at the state and national levels in Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Prepared Speech, Health Occupations Professional Portfolio and Technical Skills competitions.

Career Options

Students graduating from Diman have a variety of job options open to them. Below is a partial list of jobs Diman grads from this program are qualified for, depending on their level of education.

Favorite External Links for Dental Assisting

• Academy for Sports Dentistry
• Academy of General Dentistry
• Academy of Laser Dentistry
• American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics
• American Academy of Periodontology
• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
• American Academy of Implant Dentistry
• American Academy of Implant Prosthodontics
• American Academy of Orofacial Pain
• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• American Association of Endodontists
• American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• American Association of Orthodontists
• American Board of Forensic Odontology
• American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Associatio
• American College of Forensic Examiners
• American College of Prosthodontics
• American Dental Assistants Association
• American Dental Association
• American Dental Hygenists Association
• American Dental Society of Anesthesiolog
• American Orthodontic Society
• American Society for Dental Aesthetics
• Dental Assisting National Board
• Hispanic Dental Association
• International Association for Dental Research
• International Association for Disability and Oral Health
• International Association of Orthodontists
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
• National Invention Hall of Fame
  “Honors the women and men responsible for the great technological advances that make human, social and economic progress possible.” Covers the areas of computers, communications, agriculture, electricity, chemistry, imaging, medical, industrial and nobel prize winners.
• Office Safety and Aspesis Procedures Research
• Pet Dental Care
• Pierre Fauchard Academy
• Society for Breath Odor Reasearch
• World Federation of Orthodontists

Please note: Diman is not responsible for the content of any of these links. Please let us know if any links are inaccurate.

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