Flint Hills - Dental Assisting

Dental Assisting

Mission:

Students of the Dental Assisting Department will participate in planned supervised experiences directed toward teaching students to perform 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 lire-long learning.

Important Information:

Employment Information:
Specific information regarding occupations students will be prepared to enter upon program completion, on-time graduation rates, cost, placement rates and median debt incurred can be found at: (Dental Assisting Gainful Employment) . This information is provided in compliance with 34 CFR 668.6(b).

Description:

Dental Assistant’s 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.)

Career Paths:

Employment opportunities for men and women in Dental Assisting include:

dental offices
specialty offices
dental labs
dental sales representatives

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.

Experienced Dental Assistants are rewarded well, and become highly regarded in the profession.
The Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the Dental Accreditation.

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. Completion of the program allows the student to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board Exam. Students will participate in clinical experiences on campus and at interning dental sites. A two-year Associate Degree option is also available.

Program Cost Sheet
Dental Assisting Admission Criteria
Book Information and Costs

Courses

Chairside Principles I	Clinical Internship
Current Trends in Health Care	Dental Assisting Principles II
Dental Laboratory Technical Clinical Internship	Dental Materials I
Dental Materials II	Dental Nutrition
Dental Office Management Clinical Internship	Dental Practice Management
Dental Radiography I	First Aid/CPR
Healthcare Practice Management	Human Anatomy
Infection Control	Infection Control I
Management of Dental Emergencies/Pharmacology	Oral Anatomy
Preventive Dentistry	Professional Development I
Radiography II

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

Chris Polk, DDS Elite Dental 1409 Stanton Emporia, KS 66801	Janice Robinette, CDA, RDH Harmon Dental 840 Lakin Osage City, KS 66852	Jackie Rosales, CDA, RDH John Patton, DDS 1507 W 12th Ave Emporia, KS 66801
Eric Wisdom, DDS Eric J, Wisdom, DDS & Associates 1629 Poyntz Ave Manhattan, KS 66502	Susan Rausch M. Sean Reynolds, DDS 22255 Udall Rd Chanute, KS 66720

Instructor(s):

Monica Graves, Robert Harmon, Dr. Brad Karr, Deborah Illk

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.)