Dental Assistant Certificate
About the Career
Making smiles healthy, dental assistants work closely with dentists and patients. Dental assistants’ role often includes taking X-rays, recordkeeping and managing equipment. The position is a great launching pad to become a dental hygienist or dentist.
Qualities for Success
Dental assistants must have good interpersonal, listening and organizational skills.
Career Outlook
The job market is expected to increase 18 percent through 2024. The average hourly wage is approximately $16.95.
About the Program
Through hands-on labs and classes, students train with instructors with years of health care experience. CPR training is included. Students also gain workforce skills and learn from other professionals in clinicals at local health care facilities.
Certification
As part of completing the program, students will take the Texas Registered Dental Assistant Exam.
How to Begin
In order to participate in the program, students must complete an application Dental Assistant Student Application and have a high school diploma or GED. Clinical sites require participants to have updated immunizations, background checks, drug screens and verified IDs.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
| Course # | Title | Hrs |
|---|---|---|
| DNTA 1015 | Dental Chairside Assisting | 86 |
| DNTA 1003 | Registered Dental Exam Review | 48 |
| DNTA 1060 | Clinical Dental Assistant | 100 |
*Students will be required to pay for the Texas Academy of General Dentistry RDA exam (approximately $155) due near the end of the program. The instructor will be able to provide specific due dates.
Notice to Students Regarding Licensing
Effective September 1, 2017, HB 1508 amends the Texas Occupations Code Section 53 that requires education providers to notify potential or enrolled students that a criminal history may make them ineligible for an occupational license upon program completion. NOTE: Criminal history checks are required for clinical experience purposes.
Should you wish to request a review of the impact of criminal history on your potential licensure prior to or during your quest for a degree, you can visit this link and request a “Criminal History Evaluation”: https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DpsWebsite/CriminalHistory/
This information is being provided to all persons who apply or enroll in the program, with notice of the requirements as described above, regardless of whether or not the person has been convicted of a criminal offense. Additionally, HB 1508 authorizes licensing agencies to require reimbursements when a student fails to receive the required notice.