A dental assistant performs duties such as preparing instruments and materials required to treat patients; obtaining and updating patients’ dental records, working with the dentist during dental procedures and instructing patients on postoperative and general oral health care. A dental assistant may prepare materials for impressions and restorations and process dental X-rays.
OCA-348 Dental Assisting and Radiology
OPA-334 Career Development for Dental Assisting
Upon successful completion, students earn an AACC continuing education certificate. Once you successfully complete all the course requirements of the certificate program with a passing grade or higher, submit a Student Application for a Continuing Education Certificate to the Continuing Professional Education office.
Demand for dental assistants is expected to grow 36 percent through 2018, one of the fastest growing occupations. The average annual salary of dental assistants in Maryland is $34,000 a year.
Students must have a high school diploma or have passed the GED exam. Students who speak English as their second language must earn a composite score of 310 or better on the level of English Proficiency exam, or successfully complete Capstone Level ESL coursework. Students must score into an 8th grade reading level as measured by the TABE assessment given at orientation; meet with a transitions coordinator, and demonstrate a desire and willingness to work in the dental field upon completion.
Intesterested students must first attend a mandatory Dental Assisting Information Session. Visit our calendar to see when the next event is scheduled.
Dental Assistants who are employed can increase their skills and their wages by taking a six-week Expanded Functions class.
OPA-326 Expanded Function - General Chairside
OPA-327 Expanded Function - Orthodontics
