The Dental Assisting program has students participate in classroom, lab-based and valuable allied health internship experiences that prepare them for employment as Dental Assistants. This program, which is a part of our Academy of Health Professions Academy, integrates concepts of oral/dental healthcare, oral embryology/histology, general anatomy and physiology, dental radiology and digital imaging and prevention of dental diseases. Students will focus on oral diagnosis and treatment planning, infection and hazard control, modern dental assisting, use of dental hand instruments/accessories and patient care. Students are prepared for actual experience in the clinical setting with a focus on the specific knowledge, skill and abilities that relate to dental assisting. First semester, students learn basic health care skills such as communication, measuring vital signs, first aid, CPR, infection control, assisting with patient examinations and HIPPA. Students are exposed to introductory anatomy and physiology, medical terminology and administrative medical software. The program culminates with an Allied Health Internship. The internship is designed to give students supervised practical application of Dental Assisting in a professional healthcare setting. During their time in this program students will be introduced to the principles of basic dental care and treatment. Students will understand and identify the different career options in the field in order to make the most educated individual decision for their future college and career aspirations.