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Flint Hills Technical College. Programs and Majors.
Dental Assisting

Mission:

Graduates of the Dental Assisting program will have mastered the skills and knowledge necessary to gain employment in dental offices for entry-level chair side functions and management. Students in the Dental Assisting program will participate in planned and supervised experiences directed toward performing dental assisting techniques with precision, safety and efficiency. They will demonstrate assisting skills and integrate these skills into the total curriculum. Students will be active in team cooperation and develop personal growth toward life-long learning.

Career Paths:

Graduates from the Dental Assisting program will be prepared to seek career opportunities in a variety of diverse industries, including:
  • Dental Offices
  • Orthodontics Offices
  • Dental Labs
  • Dental Sales Representatives
  • Dental Insurance Company Representative

The Industry:

Dental Assistants are an integral part of the dental team within the dental office. Allied Health Care Workers are in high demand and this field is expected to grow through the year 2005.

Experienced Dental Assistants are rewarded well, and become highly regarded in the profession, entry-level Dental Assistants may start around $8 to $11 per hour, while more experienced assistants can earn from $15 to $20 per hour.

Dental Assistants' job is performed in a dental office. There are nine specialties and general practitioners within the scope of the dental profession. Those who complete the Dental Assisting Program can qualify for employment across the nation. (Exceptions for National Certification are California and Minnesota.)

Entry-level Dental Assistants may start around $8 to $11 per hour, while more experienced assistants can earn from $15 to $20 per hour.

The Program:

Prerequisites

Must have graduated from high school or have received a GED diploma.

Instruction

Graduates of the Dental Assisting Program will have mastered the skills and knowledge necessary to gain employment in dental offices for entry-level chair side functions and management. Students in the Dental Assisting program will participate in planned and supervised experiences directed toward performing dental assisting techniques with precision, safety and efficiency. They will demonstrate assisting skills and integrate these skills into the total curriculum. Students will be active in team cooperation and develop personal growth toward life-long learning.

The current structure of the program requires full-time student status. The one-year diploma program provides 1110 hours of instruction. Completion of the program allows the student to sit for the National Dental Assisting Certification Exam. Student will participate in clinical experiences on campus and at interning dental sites. A two-year Associate Degree option is also available.

Program Cost Sheet

Courses

2-year Associate of Applied Science Degree
The Associate of Applied Science degree, with a major in Dental Assisting, is a four-semester program that contains technical and general education courses. These planned and supervised experiences—classroom, laboratory, clinical internships—help graduates develop the knowledge and skills needed to perform procedures with precision, safety and efficiency consistent with proven dental concepts and practices.
Click here for more information.
1 -year Technical Certificate
 The Dental Assisting certificate program, which contains technical education courses, is two semesters in length. These planned and supervised experiences—classroom, laboratory, clinical internships—teach students to function as effective team members and perform dental assisting techniques with precision, safety and efficiency. A program advisory committee, composed of health professionals, annually updates program and employment requirements. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills (chairside functions and management) necessary for entry-level employment in dental offices. Certificate courses also fulfill many of the requirements of the Dental Assisting AAS degree program. Click here for more information.

Advisory Members

Robert Harmon, DDS

x
840 Lakin
Osage City, KS 66523

Tina Ihde

x
3613 W. 18 th Avenue #622
Emporia, KS 66801

Kerri Thompson, DDS

x
2518 W 15th Ave
Emporia, KS 66801

Tabetha Laird

x
1514 Humboldt
Manhattan, KS

Dr. L. S. Latimer

x
202 N. Main
El Dorado, KS 67042

Robyn McLaren, CDA

x
x
Emporia, KS 66801

Clay Sligh, DDS

x
710 Commercial St.
Emporia, KS 66801

Instructor(s):

Monica Graves, Robert Harmon, Dr. Brad Karr, Tina Ihde and Lori Vogts

Student Organization:

AMERICAN DENTAL ASSISTANTS ASSOCIATION (ADAA) 

SkillsUSA prepares America's high performance workers. It provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. It builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and communications skills. It emphasizes total quality at work, high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education and pride in the dignity of work. SkillsUSA also promotes understanding of the free enterprise system and involvement in community service activities. (*Taken form the SkillsUSA web site.)