Dental Assisting

Our Dental Assisting program gives students a good base or background in Dentistry if they choose to stay and work in the dental field or decide to continue their education in Dentistry. The student will learn procedures from running & managing the front office, cleaning and sterilizing dental instruments and equipment, working alongside the Dentist with fillings, extractions, impressions for dentures & partial dentures, and taking dental x-rays. In addition, the students will use the knowledge and skills they learn in lectures and labs during their clinical rotations at various dental offices in surrounding communities.

The Dental Radiography Program will provide the student not only with the Ohio Dental Radiographer License, which allows them to expose and develop dental radiographs under the supervision of a licensed dentist but also with certifications in CPR and Dental Radiology. There is currently a good demand for all positions that deal with Dentistry; dental assistants, registered dental hygienists, laboratory personnel, dental sales reps., teaching positions, and even general dentists.

Dental assistants typically do the following:

• Ensure that patients are comfortable in the dental chair
• Prepare patients and the work area for treatments and procedures
• Sterilize dental instruments
• Hand instruments to dentists during procedures
• Dry patients’ mouths using suction hoses and other equipment
• Instruct patients in proper oral hygiene
• Process x-rays and complete lab tasks, under the direction of a dentist
• Keep records of dental treatments
• Schedule patient appointments
• Work with patients on billing and payment

Graduates of the Dental Assisting Career Technical Program may be qualified for entry-level positions in a variety of dental settings, including:

• Private dental practices
• Group dental practices
• Dental clinics
• Specialty practices (such as orthodontics and oral surgery)

Additionally, the DANB credential may provide a pathway to further education and training in the dental industry, such as pursuing a higher level of licensure or obtaining additional certifications. The program also provides a strong foundation for students interested in pursuing a variety of dental-related fields, including dental hygiene, dental laboratory technology, and dental assisting education.