Program Overview
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Course Length: ~9 months
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Credits: 28*
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Total Hours: 720*
* In Chula Vista and San Marcos, program credits are 32 and total hours are 820.
- Get the training needed to become a qualified dental assistant and launch your career
- Learn the skills in a clinical setting that prepare you for your future work environment
What is a Dental Assistant?
A dental assistant works with the rest of a dental care team to ensure an optimal patient experience and maximum efficiency. Dental assistants help the dentist with all phases of treatment and ensure the patient’s visit runs smoothly.
What Does a Dental Assistant Do?
The duties of a dental assistant include assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures, helping patients feel comfortable and easing their anxieties and teaching patients the skills needed to maintain and improve oral health.
In addition to directly assisting the dentist in oral care, the dental assistant takes on office management responsibilities such as scheduling, billing, answering phone calls and communicating with vendors and suppliers.
Read: 5 Facts About Dental Assistants
Pima Medical Institute Dental Assistant Program Description
Our Dental Assistant program provides students with the personal traits, communication, office and assisting skills needed to perform as an effective entry-level dental assistant. In California, graduates will be prepared to take the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) License Exam.
What Will I Learn With This Training?
Pima Medical Institute prepares its students to be effective, qualified dental assistants by teaching them the following skills:
- Preparing patients for examination and treatment
- Taking X-ray examinations (radiography)
- Sterilizing and disinfecting instruments and equipment
- Preparing tray setups for dental procedures
- Providing postoperative instruction
- Educating patients in proper oral healthcare
- Preparing materials for making impressions and restorations
- Performing clerical, laboratory and other duties
Learn More: 5 Skills Needed to be a Top Dental Assistant
Pima Medical Institute Dental Assistant Program Requirements
How long is the Pima Medical Dental Assistant program?
The Pima Medical Dental Assistant program takes approximately 9 months.
Curriculum: What classes do I need to take to become a dental assistant?
Here are just a few classes you will take during the Dental Assistant program:
- Dental Office Administration
- Fundamentals of Dentistry
- Dental Pharmacology
- Dental Radiography
Does the program provide national certification exam preparation?
The course prepares California graduates to take the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) License Exam.
Where Can I Take a Dental Assistant Training Class Near Me?
Arizona
California
Colorado
What Career Opportunities Do Dental Assistants Have?
Dental assistant training equips graduates to apply their skills in a number of different roles, including dental assistants, orthodontic assistants, oral surgery assistants and surgical dental assistants. They can work in a variety of different environments including solo dental practices, group practices, hospital dental clinics, dental school clinics and specialty practices.
Related career opportunities for dental assistants include working as a dental product sales representative, processing dental claims for insurance companies and educating future dental assistants.
Learn More: 5 Dental Career Specialties You’ll Want to Know
Job Outlook
The job outlook for dental assistants is bright. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 11% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. The aging population and ongoing research linking oral health and general health will continue to increase the demand for preventive dental services.*
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm (visited May 11, 2020).
Start Your Education Here
Pima Medical Institute’s renowned instructors are professionally qualified and offer years of relevant, hands-on experience to share with students.
Our onsite dental labs feature the same equipment found in dental offices, and the unique, hands-on experiences of the program prepare students for their new, rewarding careers upon obtaining their certification.