Dental Assisting
COLLEGE TECH PREP OPTION
“Our teacher is amazing. The equipment is just like a real dental office, and the class is hands-on. I love it!”
Arielle Moraco
Midpark High School
No trip to the dentist office would be the same without a highly trained dental assisting staff. As a Dental Assisting student, you will learn to work chairside with the dentist in the care and treatment of patients. Along with the basic dental laboratory procedures, you will learn dental terminology, the use of instruments and equipment, x-ray procedures, preparation of dental materials, and dental office management skills.
The dental assistant performs many tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical skills. If you have strong communication skills, enjoy working with your hands as well as your mind, and want a career with responsibility, you will find the Dental Assisting program to be a rewarding experience.
Upon completion of this program, you are eligible to take the Certified Ohio Dental Assisting Exam, to hold the title of CODA (Certified Ohio Dental Assistant), to become Dental Radiology Certified and receive your CPR certification.
Skills
Instrument transfer
Oral evacuation and retraction
Sterilization
Infection control
Tray setups and procedures
How to process and mount x-rays
How to use dental computer software
Orthodontic procedures
Dental anatomy
Prepare dental insurance forms
Dental bookkeeping
Dental materials
Equipment maintenance
Charting
Patient care
Patient education
Chairside assisting
Teamwork
Business skills
Equipment
Autoclave
X-ray machine
Model trimmer
Dental handpiece
Dental chair
Dental unit
Vacuum former
Vacuum system
Curing unit
Ultrasonic cleaner
Automatic processor
Amalgamator
Intraoral camera
Dental x-ray processor
Air compressor
Computers
Career Options (as a Certified Dental Assistant)
Chairside assistant
Endodontic assistant
Orthodontic assistant
Pedodontic assistant
Periodontic assistant
Oral surgery assistant
Hospital dental assistant
Dental lab technician
Circulatory assistant
Sterilization assistant
Insurance manager
Business office manager
Future Opportunities with Further Education
Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA)
Dental sales representative
Doctor of Dental Surgery – Dentist
Dental equipment repair
High School Credit Junior Year
Dental Assisting 2.5
Technology .5
Anatomy & Physiology 1.0
Potential College Semester Hour Credit
College Tech Prep 3.0