Dental Assistant

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HTH E31 - Dental Assisting Program
Dental assistants provide quality preventative and corrective dental care under the direct supervision of a dentist or dental hygienist. They are responsible for assisting with patient care, as well as providing certain administrative support in the office. Dental assistants work in a variety of healthcare settings, including dental offices, hospitals, and other similar facilities.

 

The 60-hour Dental Assistant Program prepares students for entry-level dental assistant positions, teaching students about basic oral anatomy, areas of pre-clinical dental assisting, and a multitude of commonly-used dental tools and equipment.  Students will learn in a mock dental office and work with state-of-the-art digital scanners and X-ray machines.

Dental Chairs

Key areas and topics include:

Administrative Aspects

  • History of Dentistry and Dental Assisting
  • Introduction to the Dental Office
  • Legal Aspects of Dentistry and Dental Assisting
  • Policies and Guidelines

Clinical Aspects

  • Introduction to Oral Anatomy
  • Dental Operatory
  • Dental Equipment, Operation and Maintenance
  • Introduction to Tooth Structure
  • Primary and Permanent Teeth
  • The Oral Cavity and Related Structures
  • Proper Patient Positioning
  • Dental Hand-Pieces
  • Dental Anesthesia
  • Sterilization
  • Maintaining Sterility and Asepsis and Other Areas

Students who have completed this course may be eligible for national dental assistant certification exams, and the course is ideal for students interested in eventually pursuing a dental hygienist program.

Career Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in the dental field is expected to grow 6 percent from 2024-2034, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Ongoing research linking oral health and general health will likely continue to increase the demand for preventive dental services. Additional reasons for expansion include overall population growth, greater retention of natural teeth by middle-aged and older people, and an increased focus on preventative dental care for younger generations. 

Salaries vary depending on experience, hours, and location. Median annual wage of dental assistants was $47,300 in May 2024. 

Educational Requirements
High school diploma or GED

Spring 2026
HTH E31 301
February 3 to April 16, 2026
Tuesdays and Thursdays
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
H Building, Room H-126

In the event we are unable to meet in person, labs will be held virtually and led by your instructor.

Tuition: $1,199* (Textbooks not included)
* = Additional college registration and technology fees may apply.

For more information, please call (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3500, or email us.