Dental assistants and hygienists are indispensable members of the dental team. Both are well-paid, rewarding careers that are in high demand.
Dental Assisting This 10-month, limited-enrollment program prepares students for a career as a dental assistant. Most accepted students have completed one year of college. The program integrates off-campus clinical experiences in a variety of dental offices with a core of biological and on-site laboratory and clinical courses.
Most graduates are employed in general or specialty dental practices. The roles of a dental assistant vary, depending on the state regulations, and may include:
Assisting the dentist during a variety of procedures
Exposing radiographs
Taking impressions of patient's teeth
Applying preventive agents such as fluoride or pit and fissure sealants
Dental Hygiene This limited-enrollment program prepares students for a career as a dental hygienist. It is two years in length and requires as least one year of prerequisite courses. The program blends clinical dental hygiene experiences with a core of biological, behavioral and social sciences.
Graduates are typically employed in general dental practices. The roles of the dental hygienist vary depending on the state board regulations and may include:
Patient screening procedures
Exposing radiographs
removing hard and soft deposits from the teeth
Providing patient education regarding, oral hygiene, nutrition and risk factors that influence oral disease
The Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs are fully accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2678 or view the website.
