Dental Assisting
What Dental Assistants & Dental Hygienists Do
Dental assistants provide patient care, take x rays, keep records, and schedule appointments. Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene.
Almost all dental assistants work in dentists’ offices. Most work full time. Nearly all dental hygienists work in dentists’ offices, and many work part time.
Training Programs at DATC
1005 hours (11 months)
The Dental Assistant program provides students with the skills necessary for entry-level employment in a variety of dental settings. Students will study terminology and the science behind dentistry, obtain and record medical and dental histories, take basic patient vital signs, instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control, and provide pre- and post-operative instructions as prescribed by a dentist. Students will also set up instrument trays; sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment; assist in restorative and surgical procedures; expose diagnostic dental radiographs; make dental impressions, study casts, bleach and mouthguards; clean and polish the coronal portion of the teeth; place sealants, and apply topical fluorides to strengthen teeth. Administrative instruction includes scheduling appointments, receiving payments, completing insurance forms, and maintaining patient records.
Training Programs at MTECH
750 hours
Students will work on classmates and bring in patients for learning non-invasive procedures such as suctioning and taking impressions. The classroom/lab portion will primarily be held on campus, but also includes field trips and some hybrid distance education days, where the students will be given assignments to do off-site. This is a valuable introduction into the dental field for students interested in becoming chair-side assistants, hygienists, lab technicians, specialty assistants, dentists, product representatives, etc.
Training Programs at SLCC
89 Credits
A dental hygienist is a licensed oral health professional who promotes optimum oral health by providing education and therapeutic services to adults and children. A career in Dental Hygiene provides entry into a variety of professional opportunities including clinician, educator, administrator, public health worker, government worker, researcher or international health care provider.
Training Programs at UVU
84 Credits + prerequisites
This is a competitive admission process and has the following pre-requisites that must be taken, and completed, before you are able to apply and begin the first semester of the program. The pre-requisite courses are: MATH 1050, ENGL 1010, CHEM 1110, ZOOL 2320, ZOOL 2325, ZOOL 2420, ZOOL 2425. Please note that some of the above pre-requisites for application to our AAS program have pre-requisites of their own, as well. Please contact the department offering our pre-requisite courses for more information.