• Real-world perspectives from experienced dental assistants.
• Essential information about anatomy and physiology, preventive dentistry, patient care, communication, radiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, assisting in specialty practices, employment strategies, and more.
• Explore the basics of maintaining computerized clinical dental records using Dentrix Practice Management software.

• There are no prerequisites to complete this course. However, candidates must hold a high school diploma or equivalent to be eligible to sit for national certification exams.

• The Dental Profession
• Communication Skills
• Ethics for the Dental Assistant
• Basic Dental Sciences
• Dental Anatomy
• Oral Pathology
• Infection Control
• Hazardous Materials
• Caring for Exceptional Patients
• Pharmacology for the Dental Assistant
• Emergency Management
• Oral Health and Nutrition
• The Dental Office
• Dental Instruments
• Introduction to Chairside Assisting
• New Patients and Charting
• Introduction to Dentrix Learning Software (Optional)
• Anesthesia and Sedation
• Preventative Care
• Radiation Health Safety
• Extraoral and Digital Radiology
• Dental Emergency Procedures and Amalgam Restorations
• Composite Procedures and Laboratory Materials
• Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
• Dental Specialties
• Dental Implants and Fixed Prosthetics
• Computerized Restorative Systems and Removable Prosthodontics
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Dental Practice Management
• Your Dental Career

Clinical dental assistant jobs vary based on the dental office and the state in which you work. Typical duties include preparing patients for treatment, sterilizing tools, instructing on proper dental hygiene, passing instruments to the dentist during procedures, keeping records of treatments, scheduling appointments, and processing x-rays.

Most clinical dental assistant training programs can be completed in one year or less. This does not include the time you will spend working in an externship or a similar position to gain field experience. It also does not include the required two years of work experience you will need to become certified.

To become a certified dental assistant, you will need to pass the three components of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification exam and meet the board’s work experience requirements. You will need to pass the radiation health and safety, infection control, and general chairside components of the DANB certification exam, and complete at least 2 years of work experience (or a minimum of 3,500 hours accrued over a 2- to 4-year period).

Most dental assistants work a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, there are some dental assistants who work part-time. Many of the hours will be worked during the day, but depending on your dental office, you may be asked to work some evenings or weekends.

Almost all clinical dental assistants work in dental offices under the supervision of dentists, though some may find employment with the government or in physicians’ offices. Dental assistants work very closely with dental hygienists. In this position, you will be on your feet for large portions of the day and wear surgical masks, safety goggles, gloves, and protective clothing to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

While both roles are important components of the dental staff, an administrative dental assistant focuses primarily on office administration, including greeting patients, collecting patient information, completing medical forms, organizing office records, and performing other clerical duties. On the other hand, a clinical dental assistant helps dentists and dental hygienists with treatment procedures, sterilization and disinfection of dental tools, patient charting, taking vital signs, processing quality radiographs (x-rays), and more.