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Dental Assisting

The duties of a Dental Assistant are among the most comprehensive and varied in the dental office. The Dental Assistant performs a wide range of tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical skills. Depending on each state’s regulations, some specific tasks Dental Assistants may perform are:

assisting the dentist during a variety of procedures;
helping patients feel comfortable before, during and after treatment;
asking about the patient’s medical history and taking his or her blood pressure and pulse;
exposing and developing dental radiographs (X-rays);
teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (brushing and flossing);
taking impressions of patient’s teeth for study models;
applying preventive agents such as fluoride or pit and fissure sealants;
serving as an infection control officer, developing infection control protocol and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment;
performing office management tasks such as scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, billing, ordering and computer use;
assisting with and helping to provide direct patient care in all dental specialties; and
provide other expanded duties according to state regulations.

The Dental Assisting program is approximately 10 months in length. The program includes curriculum content in general studies, biodental sciences, dental sciences, clinical sciences and clinical practice. Graduates are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board. Students receive more than 300 hours of on-the-job training in community and regional dental offices in addition to courses taken on campus. Students will be required to cover all expenses associated with affiliation and internship assignments.

Graduates will be capable of working in a variety of settings such as:

solo and group dental practices;
general or specialty practices such as oral and maxillofacial surgery (removal of teeth and correction of facial deformities), orthodontics (straightening teeth with braces or other appliances), dentofacial orthopedics, endodontics (root canal treatment), periodontics (treatment of gum problems), prosthodontics (replacement of lost teeth) and pediatric dentistry (treatment of children); and
sales and marketing of dental products.

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
DAST 105	Office Practice and Management	1
DAST 111	Introduction to Chairside Assisting	3
DAST 120	Dental Assisting Expanded Function	2
DAST 132	Clinical Training I	3
DAST 132L	Clinical Training I: Clinic	2
DAST 133	Clinical Training II	4
DAST 144	Biodental Science	2
DHYG 101	Pre-Clinic I	1
DHYG 110	Oral Anatomy	2
DHYG 114	Dental Radiology	3
DHYG 242	Dental Materials	3
Related/General Education Courses
BIOL 115	Human Structure and Function	3
BIOL 115L	Human Structure and Function Lab	1
ENGL 105	Technical Communications	3
MICR 202	Introductory Microbiology	3
MICR 202L	Introductory Microbiology Lab	1
PSYC 111	Introduction to Psychology	3

TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS		40

A current CPR credential (Health Care Provider or Professional Rescuer) is required for spring semester and summer semester.

Dental Assisting competencies

At completion of the North Dakota State College of Science Dental Assisting Program, the graduate will be competent to:

Demonstrate basic chairside assisting skills as well as expanded functions that are within the guidelines of the state dental practice act.
Demonstrate adequate diagnostic aids (i.e. radiographs, study models).
Demonstrate adequate laboratory skills.
Understand and manage ethical decisions and comply with legal regulations governing the practice of dental assisting.
Exhibit professionalism in a dental healthcare setting.
Manage various types of patients in a variety of clinical settings.
Demonstrate adequate job seeking skills.
Demonstrate basic dental office procedures.
Apply self-assessment principles and develop commitment to lifelong learning.
Use and evaluate scientific information to enhance their knowledge and skills in the promotion of oral health.

Admission requirements

The NDSCS Dental Assisting program is a limited-enrollment program, and program selection is based on completion of prerequisites and academic performance.

Prerequisites

High school diploma or G.E.D.;
ACT of 15; and
High school GPA of 2.0, or completion of 12 college semester credits with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA.

It is important to contact the Enrollment Services office and Allied Dental Education Department for information regarding selection criteria for program acceptance toll free at 1-800-342-4325, ext. 3-2333 or email.

Award

Upon successful completion of the required courses, students will be awarded a certificate in Dental Assisting.

Other information

The Dental Assisting program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611-2678