Dental Assistant Program

Please review the following requirements: General Admission Requirements for all programs.

Applicants must:

• Be at least 17 years of age to be admitted to the program with parent or guardian consent. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the beginning of the Clinical Externship.
• Submit an essay (no longer than one page, double-spaced typed, or handwritten) that describes the following:
  • Reasons for applicants’ desire to become a dental assistant;
  • Personal attributes the applicant possesses that will support the applicant’s ability to complete the dental assistant program;
  • The applicant has people, routines, and resources to support their efforts throughout the program

Each program has physical and non-physical requirements to ensure our students’ and patients’ safety and welfare. Almost all of our students (check with an Admission Advisor if applicable) must be able to:

• Handle stressful situations related to technical and procedural standards and patient care situations.
• Respond quickly and appropriately to emergencies using the English language.
• Communicate effectively with patients and staff using clear English in verbal and written forms.
• Read and interpret (or learn how to) patient charts and requisitions.
• Tolerate strong, unpleasant odors.
• Provide physical and emotional support to the patients during procedures.
• Report clearly and legibly through progress notes in patient charts.
• Meet class standards for successful course completion.
• Collect, interpret, and integrate data about patients.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to individuals of all ages, genders, and races from socioeconomic, religious, and cultural backgrounds.
• Cope with heavy workloads, demanding patients, and life-threatening clinical situations.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to potentially hazardous situations.
• Demonstrate the physical and emotional capacity to work a 40-hour week on the clinical rotation.
• Behave ethically, competently, compassionately, and professionally in the classroom and the clinic.
• Lift/carry:
  • 1–5 lbs. frequently—image receptors, lead aprons, files.
  • 20–50 lbs. occasionally—patient transfers and patient positioning.
  • 50–70 lbs. rarely to occasionally—patient transfers.
• Stand and walk for up to eight (8) hours per day.
• Carry a minimum of 20 pounds (9.07 kg) while walking a distance of 100 feet (30.48 m).
• Bend or flex the upper trunk forward up to 45 degrees and the lower torso into a squatting position.
• Rotate the upper trunk up to 30 degrees to the right and left.
• Reach at least 72 inches (1.83 m) above floor level or an entire arm’s reach.
• Use the sense of hearing to communicate with the patients and the healthcare team effectively.
• Use the sense of vision in all hospital lighting levels, varying from low illumination to bright light.
• Sit in class for up to six (6) hours per day.
• Palpate anatomical structures and handle injured body parts without causing injury to the patient.
• During exercise, give manual resistance to a patient’s arm, leg, or trunk.
• Move with adequate agility and speed to ensure patient safety.
• Walk and balance well enough to help patients walk and transfer with or without equipment while preventing injury to patients and themselves.
• Safely grasp and manipulate small objects and set dials on electrical equipment.
• Use visual, auditory, and tactile senses to observe patients and collect and interpret data.
• Respond to warning sounds, machine alarms, and calls for help.