Dental Assistant
SUNY Jefferson
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Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant working with dentist

Our Dental Assistant program offerings are your gateway to entry-level positions in one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions today. As healthcare services expand nationwide and the shortage of healthcare professionals persists, the demand for dental assistants is soaring. With a workforce exceeding 300,000 professionals, dental assisting ranks as the fourth fastest-growing occupation in the healthcare technician field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that clinical dental assistants currently earn an average median salary of just over $40,000 per year, with potential for variation based on experience, education, and location across the United States.

Dental assistants are in high demand, and the outlook for employment is exceptionally promising. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in this field is projected to grow by 11% through 2030, significantly outpacing the average for other occupations. This growth is fueled by ongoing research emphasizing the crucial connection between dental health and overall well-being, leading to an increased demand for preventative dental services.

Our comprehensive program prepares learners for entry-level positions as chair-side dental assistants. Covering a wide range of topics including the history of dentistry, dental office procedures, legal aspects, oral anatomy, dental operatory, and more, this program ensures learners are well-equipped with both administrative and clinical skills required to excel in a dental practice setting. Don't miss out on the chance to embark on a fulfilling career in dental assisting. Enroll in our program today and take the first step towards a rewarding future in healthcare.

Dental Assistant

Summer 2024 - Watertown Class
June 4, 2024 – August 1, 2024
Classes run Tuesday/Thursday from 6:00pm - 9:30pm
Class Location: Main Campus, JCC

Course Contact Hours: 60 hours
Optional Clinical Externship Hours: 40 hours

Cost: $1,499 (textbook included, voucher not included)

Federal Financial Aid is not available for non-credit programs.
Traditional Army tuition assistance, GI Bill® funding, MyCAA funding, and traditional college financial aid does not apply.


The 60 hour Dental Assisting Program prepares students for entry level positions in one of the fastest growing health care positions – Dental Assisting. The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with all areas of pre-clinical dental assisting and provide training in the professional skills required to function as an assistant in the dental practice.  This course covers the following key areas and topics – Administrative Aspects include: the history of dentistry and dental assisting; introduction to the dental office; the legal aspects of dentistry; policies and guidelines. Clinical Aspects include: introduction to oral anatomy; dental operatory; dental equipment, introduction to tooth structure; primary and permanent teeth; the oral cavity and related structures; proper patient positioning; dental hand-pieces; sterilization; and other areas.  In addition to entry-level administrative jobs, this course is ideal for students interested in pursuing a future formal Dental Hygienist program.

Program Objectives

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

  • Describe the process for gathering and assessing patient health information
  • Explain the foundations of and procedures used in clinical dentistry
  • Summarize the use of radiology in dentistry and issues associated with it
  • Describe the primary materials, instruments, and equipment used in dentistry including basic care and maintenance of instruments
  • Outline how dental assistants assist with various dental procedures and types of dentistry
  • Summarize the essential administrative and communication skills required of dental assistants
  • Explain the anatomy, physiology, and pathology concepts associated with dentistry
  • Explain infection control, safety, and emergency procedures and regulations in the dental environment
  • Explain pediatric and orthodontic procedures and tools

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

National Certification: This program meets the necessary requirements to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiology Health and Safety (RHS) Examination

National Certification:  This program meets the necessary requirements to take the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Dental Assisting (DACC) exam.  

Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity

As part of this Dental Assisting program, you will be eligible to participate in a 40 hour clinical externship. Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience.  As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.

Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.

Disclosure: In partnership with Jefferson Community College, this program will be fully delivered by Condensed Curriculum International (CCI). CCI is headquartered at 214 Little Falls Road Fairfield, NJ 07004. There are no additional costs students are expected to incur as a result of enrolling in the educational program.

Dental Assistant

Fall 2024 - Lowville Class
September 17, 2024 – November 14, 2024
Classes run Tuesday/Thursday from 6:00pm - 9:30pm
Class Location: JCC Lewis County Education Center, Lowville, NY

Course Contact Hours: 60 hours
Optional Clinical Externship Hours: 40 hours

Cost: $1,499 (textbook included, voucher not included)

Federal Financial Aid is not available for non-credit programs. 
Traditional Army tuition assistance, GI Bill® funding, MyCAA funding, and traditional college financial aid does not apply.


The 60 hour Dental Assisting Program prepares students for entry level positions in one of the fastest growing health care positions – Dental Assisting. The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with all areas of pre-clinical dental assisting and provide training in the professional skills required to function as an assistant in the dental practice.  This course covers the following key areas and topics – Administrative Aspects include: the history of dentistry and dental assisting; introduction to the dental office; the legal aspects of dentistry; policies and guidelines. Clinical Aspects include: introduction to oral anatomy; dental operatory; dental equipment, introduction to tooth structure; primary and permanent teeth; the oral cavity and related structures; proper patient positioning; dental hand-pieces; sterilization; and other areas.  In addition to entry-level administrative jobs, this course is ideal for students interested in pursuing a future formal Dental Hygienist program.

Program Objectives

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

  • Describe the process for gathering and assessing patient health information
  • Explain the foundations of and procedures used in clinical dentistry
  • Summarize the use of radiology in dentistry and issues associated with it
  • Describe the primary materials, instruments, and equipment used in dentistry including basic care and maintenance of instruments
  • Outline how dental assistants assist with various dental procedures and types of dentistry
  • Summarize the essential administrative and communication skills required of dental assistants
  • Explain the anatomy, physiology, and pathology concepts associated with dentistry
  • Explain infection control, safety, and emergency procedures and regulations in the dental environment
  • Explain pediatric and orthodontic procedures and tools

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

National Certification: This program meets the necessary requirements to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiology Health and Safety (RHS) Examination.  

National Certification:  This program meets the necessary requirements to take the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Dental Assisting (DACC) exam.  

Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity

As part of this Dental Assisting program, you will be eligible to participate in a 40 hour clinical externship. Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience.  As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.

Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.

Disclosure: In partnership with Jefferson Community College, this program will be fully delivered by Condensed Curriculum International (CCI). CCI is headquartered at 214 Little Falls Road Fairfield, NJ 07004. There are no additional costs students are expected to incur as a result of enrolling in the educational program.

 

FAQs

While both roles are important components of the dental staff, an administrative dental assistant focuses more on the office's administrative tasks, such as greeting patients, collecting patient information, filling out medical forms, organizing office records, and other clerical tasks. 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.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will have the skills needed to work in a dental office, but regulations for the practice of dental assisting vary by state. To find out about the laws in your state, consult the Dental Practice Act, available through the Board of Dentistry. Passing the Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology, Radiation Health and Safety, and Infection Control components of the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) Certification and the Radiation Health and Safety and Infection Control components of the DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Certification may enable dental assistants to meet requirements for performing certain expanded duties in many states. Depending on state laws and regulations, a dental assistant certified by DANB can often perform a larger set of expanded duties.

In New York State, experience, certification and licensure are not required for entry level dental assistants. Many dental offices employ both CDA’s and non-CDA’s. The CDA’s are allowed to perform more functions than non-certified assistants, but on the job training is much more important.

All students are encouraged to pursue certification. Completion of this online course will help entry-level students gain employment to fulfill the required work experience. A minimum of 300 hours of work experience accrued over a two month to four-year period as a dental assistant is needed to qualify for the DANB NELDA certification and a minimum of 3,500 hours accrued over a two-to-four-year period before taking the General Chairside (not included) component of the DANB CDA certification. Certified Dental Assistant, National Entry Level Dental Assistant, CDA, NELDA, and DANB are trademarks of the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc (DANB). This course is not reviewed or endorsed by DANB.

National Entry Level Dental Assistants have passed the three components (Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology, Radiation Health and Safety, and Infection Control) of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certification Exam and have met the necessary work experience requirements. Students must accrue a minimum of 300 hours of work experience over a two-month to four-year period as a dental assistant to qualify for the DANB NELDA certification. While regulations vary by state, National Entry Level Dental Assistants often take on more responsibility than those who are not certified. All students are encouraged to pursue certification.

Certified Dental Assistants have passed the three components (General Chairside Assisting, Radiation Health and Safety, and Infection Control) of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certification Exam and have met the necessary work experience requirements. While regulations vary by state, Certified Dental Assistants often take on more responsibility than those who are not certified. All students are encouraged to pursue certification. Please note: The General Chairside Assisting component of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certification Exam is not included in this course, and you must obtain a minimum of 3,500 hours accrued over a two-to-four-year period of work experience to meet eligibility requirements.

You will have a wide range of important duties as a clinical dental assistant. Your job will vary based on the dental office you work for and the state your work in. Some typical duties include preparing patients for treatment, sterilizing tools, instructing patients on proper dental hygiene, passing instruments to the dentist during procedures, keeping records of treatments, scheduling appointments, processing x-rays, and working with patients on billing and payments. In a few states, dental assistants may be able to polish teeth, apply sealants and fluoride, and give topical anesthetics.

In many states, there is no specific type of training required of a dental assistant other than a high school diploma. A great way to set yourself apart and set yourself up for success in a career as a dental assistant is to complete an in-person training course like Dental Assistant from CCI in partnership with JCC, or an online training course like the Clinical Dental Assistant course from ed2go. After completing your training course, it is a good idea to sit for your Certified Dental Assistant certification to further show your commitment to the profession.

Most dental assistants work a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week; however, some dental assistants work part-time. Traditionally, a large percentage of the hours you will work is during the day, but you may be asked to work some evenings or weekends, depending on your dental office.

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 need to wear surgical masks, safety goggles, gloves, and protective clothing to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. You will have the opportunity to sit, but you will also need to be on your feet for large portions of the day.

No, a dental assistant and a dental hygienist are not the same. A dental assistant directly supports a dentist with small, supervised jobs performed on patients' teeth and administrative tasks in the office. A dental hygienist will work one-on-one with patients with less supervision. A dental assistant can practice after earning a dental assistant training certificate, while a dental hygienist must obtain an associate degree in dental hygiene at a minimum.

Yes, a dental assistant can become a dental hygienist by earning an associate or bachelor's degree in dental hygiene and passing the appropriate state-mandated licensing exams. If you are considering a future career as a dental hygienist, becoming a dental assistant is a great way to get into the industry and gain some experience while you earn your degree. Do not wait to get started in a career you love.

No. Dental assistants are not responsible for cleaning a patient's teeth. Only a licensed dentist or dental hygienist is allowed to clean teeth or remove dental calculus.