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Dental Assisting Program Overview
What Makes DTC's Dental Assisting Program Different?
Hands-On Focused
Labs designed to simulate real dental work environments
Accelerated Training
Earn your dental assisting diploma in just 9 months
Experienced Instructors
All dental assisting instructors have real-world experience
Externship
Get experience working in a real dental office as part of your dental assistant training
Employment Preparation
No general education courses required, students will learn the skills required for entry-level employment
Job Placement Assistance
Job placement assistance is available to all qualified graduates
Find Dental Assistant Classes Near You
Get your dental assistant training at Delta Technical College! DTC offers the Dental Assisting Program at both campus locations in Mississippi.
Dental Assisting Program Overview
What will I learn as a dental assisting student?
The Dental Assisting Program at Delta Technical College in Mississippi will train you in both clinical & administrative dental assistant duties, including:
- Radiographs & Impressions
- Equipment Sterilization
- Lab Work
- X-Ray Procedures
- Patient Education
- Infection Control
- Restorative Dentistry & Dental Charting
- Prosthodontics & Dental Office Lab
- Dental Radiology & Office Administration
- Dental Specialties & Preventative Dentistry
- Employment Preparation & Review
- Externship
ADAA Membership
Dental assisting students are provided a 1-year membership to ADAA (American Dental Assistants Association). ADAA provides dental assistants access to educational webinars, peer and professional networking, and more.
Externship
The Dental Assisting Program concludes with externship. During externship, you’ll utilize the skills you learned in the lab at a real dental office to get experience in the dental field.
Dental Assistant Certification
For dental assistant certification, students at the Ridgeland, MS campus are required to take two of the three DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) certification exams: RHS (Radiology Health & Safety) and ICE (Infection Control Exam).
Dental Radiology Seminar
If you’re interested in dental x-ray certification, Delta Technical College offers a Dental Radiology Seminar.
Dental Assisting FAQs
How do I become a dental assistant?
The requirements to become a dental assistant vary by state. In many cases, you need to graduate from an accredited dental assistant training program, such as the Dental Assisting Program at Delta Technical College, and/or pass a licensing or certification exam. However, in some cases dental assistants without formal education start with on-the-job training.
What education do I need to become a dental assistant?
Each state has different requirements for the education of dental assistants. Furthermore, requirements can vary based on the type of dental assistance that is being offered. For example, in Mississippi, to legally operate dental x-ray equipment, you must either take the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam, complete a board-approved seminar and exam, or attend an accredited program such as the Dental Assisting Program at DTC. However, for most other tasks in Mississippi, the only technical requirement is CPR certification.
Some states require training, others CDA certification, and others both. Regardless, the 9-month program at DTC will prepare you for a wide variety of career opportunities. Learn more about dental assisting requirements in different states on the DANB website.
How much does a dental assisting program cost?
The cost of a dental assisting program varies, depending on where you choose to complete your training. At Delta Technical College, most students receive some type of financial aid or assistance. To learn more, visit Financial Aid and Tuition & Cost.
How long is a dental assistant training program?
Delta Technical College’s Dental Assisting Program is 9 months.
What will I learn in a dental assisting program?
Students at Delta Technical College are trained in both clinical and administrative duties, including infection control, restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, dental radiology, office administration, dental specialties, and employment preparation.
The Dental Assisting Program at DTC is taught by instructors with experience in the field, who will teach you valuable skills through both hands-on lab and classroom instruction. The Dental Assisting Program ends with Externship, where you’ll take the skills you’ve been taught in the lab and apply them in-the-field at a dental office, sitting side-by-side with a dentist.
Check out the Dental Assisting FAQ for the answers to more frequently asked questions about dental assistants!
Learn More About Dental Assisting
Ready to Learn More?
Ready to learn more about DTC’s hands-on training programs? Give us a call or fill out the form to get more information.
Get StartedFinancial Assistance
DTC’s Financial Aid Team provides personalized support to students applying for federal financial aid and help with understanding all the funding options, including scholarship opportunities.
Scholarship Opportunities
DTC is here to help you attain the funding you need to take the next step in your education. DTC’s Financial Aid Team can help match you with scholarship opportunities you may qualify for.
Enrollment & Outcomes
Enrollment and outcome information for all Mississippi-based campuses and the ACCSC annual reports for each program in Adobe PDF format. Please note, all programs are not offered at all campuses. For annual details, please visit our dental assisting enrollment and outcomes page.
Accreditations
- DTC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools & Colleges (ACCSC).
- DTC is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in federally-funded financial aid programs.
Delta Technical College is licensed by the Mississippi Commission on Proprietary Schools and College Registration, Certificate No. C-624. Licensure indicates only that minimum standards have been met; it is not an endorsement or guarantee of quality. Delta Technical College is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
Licensure indicates only that minimum standards have been met; it is not an endorsement or guarantee of quality.
Delta Technical College is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.