Dental Assisting
DTC's Dental Assisting Program
Are you looking for a hands-on career in the allied health industry? Dental assistants play an essential role when it comes to handling patient care and supporting dental practices around the country. Delta Technical College (DTC) gives you the hands-on dental assistant training you need to pursue an entry-level career as a dental assistant.
For those interested in further specialization within this allied health career, DTC offers a continuing education option in dental radiology.
Hands-On Dental Assisting Curriculum
Radiographs & Impressions | Equipment Sterilization | Lab Work | X-Ray Procedures | Patient Education
The dental assisting instructors at DTC bring real-world experience to the classroom, offering hands-on experience in labs designed to simulate real working environments. As a student at one of DTC’s dental assistant technical schools, you will be trained in both clinical & administrative duties, including:
- Infection Control
- Restorative Dentistry & Dental Charting
- Prosthodontics & Dental Office Lab
- Dental Radiology & Office Administration
- Dental Specialties & Preventative Dentistry
- Employment Preparation & Review and Externship
For dental assistant certification, students at the Ridgeland, MS campus are required to take two of the three DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) certification exams: RHS (Radiology Health & Safety) and ICE (Infection Control Exam).
What Makes the Dental Assisting Program at DTC Different?
Receive hands-on dental assisting training in labs designed to simulate real dentistry settings
Receive your dental assistant education and earn your diploma in only 9 months
DTC instructors provide real-world dental industry experience
Small class sizes and no general education courses required
Lifetime job placement assistance is available to all qualified graduates
Financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to students who qualify
Flexible class schedules are available
Quick Facts: Dental Assisting Program
A dental assistant is important to the successful flow of work at a dentist’s office because their role often includes administrative and clinical responsibilities. These tasks can include electronic record keeping, keyboarding, billing, coding, insurance claims, scheduling, and acting as a patient liaison and educator on behalf of the dental practice where they are employed. They must also have training in and be comfortable with clinical skills including assisting the dentist during exams, x-rays, lab work, sterilizing instruments, and performing basic four-handed dentistry, among many other daily tasks.
For related info, check out our resource on What Does a Dental Assistant Do? and What is a Dental Assistant?
The median annual wage for dental assistants was $41,180 in May 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Current BLS statistics indicate higher salaries are most often attributed to dental assistants employed in government positions and physician offices. Annual wages typically depend on key factors including your location and patient demographics.
The dental assisting program at Delta Technical Institute (DTC) prepares you for entry-level careers in a dental facility, where most dental assistants find employment. According to the BLS, dental assistants may also work at hospitals or on military bases. Job titles could include clinical dental assistant, dental laboratory assistant, or dental office administrative assistant.
As the population continues to live longer and there are advancements in treatments, prevention, procedures, and cosmetic/aesthetic dentistry, the dental profession will continue to evolve and grow. The BLS predicts the job outlook for dental assistants will increase by 11% from 2020 to 2030, which is much faster than average (8%).
For more information on DTC program costs, please contact Financial Aid or visit Tuition & Cost.
Dental Assisting at Delta Technical College
Dental assistants provide clinical and clerical support to dentists, and may choose to specialize with other dental professionals like endodontists and orthodontists. Students will earn the experience and skills needed at Delta Tech (DTC) for entry-level positions working alongside dentists and hygienists. The Dental Assisting Program at DTC is taught by instructors with experience in the field. Hands-on training includes lab and classroom instruction along with an externship program that gives students in-the-field experience, helping them decide what type of position they may want to pursue after graduation. Watch this two-minute video to see what it’s like to begin your career in dental assisting with Delta Technical College.
Delta Technical College (DTC) offers a variety of financing options to qualifying students. Financial Aid Representatives are available at each of our campuses to assist you. Please contact your nearest DTC campus today to learn more.
Enrollment and outcome information for all Mississippi-based campuses and the ACCSC annual reports for each program in Adobe PDF format. Please note, all programs are not offered at all campuses. For annual details, please visit our dental assisting enrollment and outcomes page.
Dental Assisting Careers
The DTC Dental Assisting Program offers the necessary training for dental assistant graduates to enter the field of dental assisting at the entry level. Most graduates of dental assistant programs work in dentist’s office as dental laboratory assistants, clinical dental assistants, and dental office administrative assistants. Military bases and hospitals may also provide opportunities for dental assistants, and some graduates may choose to specialize by working with oral surgeons or in geriatric and pediatric specialties.
Dental assisting is a growing field that requires clinical and clerical skills ranging from assisting dentists and dental hygienists working with patients, lab and x-ray procedures, patient assessments, and maintenance of the equipment. Dental assistant training at DTC prepares graduates to perform these clinical and clerical tasks. The Dental Assisting Program also prepares students for dental assistant certification.
The dental field continues to grow as a result of the population living longer and advancements in procedures, treatments, prevention, and cosmetic/aesthetic dentistry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the job outlook for dental assistants will increase by 11% from 2020 to 2030. The average growth rate for all occupations is 8%. *www.bls.gov
Accreditations
DTC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools & Colleges (ACCSC).
DTC is approved by the United States Department of Education to participate in the Federal Financial Aid Program.
Delta Technical College is licensed by the Mississippi Commission on Proprietary Schools and College Registration, Certificate No. C-624. Licensure indicates only that minimum standards have been met; it is not an endorsement or guarantee of quality. Delta Technical College is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.