Dental Assisting

Dental Assistants are competent in the technical areas of preventative dentistry; four-handed dentistry; chair-side assisting with emphasis in diagnostics, operative, fixed prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, orthodontic procedures, endodontic procedures, and surgical and expanded functions; dental practice management; and dental radiology. Students will be placed at two-three practicum sites out in the local dental community. At these sites the students will apply hands-on the role and duties of a dental assistant. After graduation, students have many options to grow professionally and expand their career. Graduates can work chair-side as a dental assistant, become a dental laboratory technician, or become an office manager. Currently the annual wage is $42,510 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If dental assistants want to continue their education, they could become an educator, or a dental consultan

Accreditation

The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2678. The Commission’s web address is Coda.ADA.Org.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the diploma program in Dental Assisting will be able to complete the following tasks:

• Perform current entry-level dental assisting skills
• Use critical thinking skills
• Demonstrate knowledge of dental specialties, dental management, and being a member of the dental team.
• Pass the dental assisting national board examination/certification and the Georgia expanded functions of certification.
• Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace.

Graduates of the TCC program in Radiology/EFDA Cert Dental Assisting will be able to complete the following tasks:

• Understand fundamentals of Radiology and Radiation Safety.
• Understand radiographic anatomy and interpretation
• Understand itraoral and xtraoral radiographic techniques
• Quality assurance techniques
• Perform expanded duties a prescribed by Georgia Law

Graduate of the TCC program in Coronal Polishing will be able to complete the following tasks:

• Legally perform the coronal polish procedure in a variety of practice settings.
• Maintain OSHA and CDC Standards for infection control and job safety.