Dental Assisting I (Day and Evening)

Instructional Weeks 38 (Day) or 53 (Eve)

Program Descriptions

The objective of the Dental Assisting I program is to train students to acquire satisfactory skills and demonstrate competence in a variety of dental office procedures and laboratory techniques. The procedures and lab techniques include preliminary examination procedure, assisting at chair side using four-handed dentistry, charting, appointment scheduling, keeping patient records and sterilizing instruments. The assistant qualified in radiology may also take and expose radiographs. Students are evaluated in all areas of professional development including applicable spelling, terminology, theory, and performance skills, as well as front office skills.

Upon satisfactory completion of the program, students will be qualified to assume entry-level positions as a Dental Assistant in dental office and clinics performing the lab techniques and office procedures described above.

Students enrolled in the Dental Assisting I program are required to participate in off-site Patient Dental Screening/Radiography Clinics. These clinics are conducted under the direct supervision of a Board Licensed Dentist. Scheduled Clinic dates will be announced in advance and students scheduled to participate are expected to attend.

Grading will be based on attendance and performance and will be averaged with the skills review grade.

The Dental Assisting I Program Radiological component is approved by the New Jersey Radiological Technology Board of Examiners.

To successfully pass the M-102 (Pre-Clinical Radiology) and the W-101 (Radiology) courses, a minimum numeric grade of 75% or higher is required and 100% attendance in the course.

Graduates of the program may be eligible to sit for the Radiation Health and Safety Examination (RHS), the Infection Control Examination (ICE), and the General Chairside Exam (GCE).