Dental Assistant Certificate Program

Board-Approved Dental Assistant Certificate Program

The dental assistant is an important member of the dental team. Effective utilization of a well-trained dental assistant results in more effective dental service for a greater number of people, with less time and productivity expended by the dentist. A well-trained Certified Dental Assistant is always in demand in the career market.

While many assistants are employed in private dental practices, there are other fields of opportunity:

• School clinics or public health clinics
• Private hospitals or government hospitals
• Dental schools or the armed services
• Dental sales insurance companies

The main duty is assisting the dentist at chairside in the transfer of instruments, the preparation of dental materials, the sterilization of instruments, and the preparation of the treatment room. The dental assistant is also responsible for certain laboratory procedures.

Most important, the assistant is trained to expose and process X-rays used by the dentist in diagnosis and treatment planning.

Frequently the assistant is called upon to evaluate the patient’s diet and its relationship to oral health, to instruct the patient in the importance of home care, and to demonstrate proper brushing, flossing techniques, and the use of other adjuncts as prescribed by the dentist.

The assistant’s duties also include appointment making, recalls, billing, processing third-party insurance forms, ordering supplies, and complying with OSHA regulations.

Admissions Requirements

1. Submit an application form to the Admissions Office.
   Priority Application Deadline is April 30. Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
2. Submit documentation of high school graduation, GED / HiSET, or other state approved equivalency credential (transcript or diploma). All foreign high school transcripts must
   be evaluated.
3. Applicants must attend a Dental Assistant Information Session, which includes an overview of the Program with the Department Chair and the Associate Director of Admissions. Register for a Dental Assistant Information Session online, or call 508-588-9100 x 2114
4. Complete required college placement tests in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Schedule your placement testing.Please note the Dental Assistant program is a Selective Admissions program.

Program Goals

1. To provide individuals with career preparation associated with CODA Dental Assisting competencies with consideration of the Laws in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
2. To provide a curriculum that leads to a Certificate in Dental Assisting and employment in the dental community.
3. To promote the development of those intellectual skills that foster critical thinking and problem solving that are necessary for life- long learning.
4. To provide students with the skills necessary to communicate effectively within the healthcare community.
5. To promote the development of life-long professional attitudes and values.