Dental Assistant Program

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

Applicants must:

• Be at least 17 to be admitted to the program with parent or guardian consent. Applicants must be at least 18 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 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.