We are a Washington State Licensed vocational school for Dental Assistants. Our ten-week course enables our students to continue working while training for their new career as a Professional Dental Assistant.
The job opportunities for trained dental assistants are quite good in today's marketplace with excellent starting salaries. Our student's have reported back that they have started from $14 to $17 an hour. These opportunities may include a private dental office, group practices, health organizations and public clinics. While no one can guarantee job placement, the dental profession is currently facing a shortage of trained dental assistants. Following your training in this ten-week course you will have the confidence and skills necessary to apply for these positions.
We offer our ten-week course four times a year; in January, April, June and September. Our hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a half-hour lunch break and two 10-minute breaks. The following subjects are covered in depth from both a didactic and a practical clinical experience. The morning lecture is followed by an afternoon of clinical "hands on" training in dental procedures, operation of equipment, instrumentation and materials used. All students receive in excess of 8 hours of instruction in radiology.
Dental Theory and Terminology
OSHA Requirements and Sterilization Techniques
Dental Materials and Procedures
Four-Handed Dental Assisting
Impressions and Model Trimming
Radiology, X-Ray Safety and Darkroom Procedures
Endodontic, Orthodontic, Periodontal, Oral Surgery, Pedodontic and Prosthodontic Instrumentation, materials and procedures
Job Interviewing and Resume Assistance
Front Office
Expanded Duties
Our Dental Assistant course is designed to give the student maximum "hands-on" training and experience in an actual dental office with an additional large classroom using mannequins, each other (for live feedback) and real patients. The teaching is stimulating, fast paced, and relies heavily on individual participation. There will be two to three instructors per group of ten to twelve students. This insures personal attention and a worthwhile learning experience. A syllabus containing notes on lecture material as well as an excellent textbook and handouts are provided so as to heighten the classroom experience and eliminate the fatigue of a lot of note taking.
Admission is open to anyone over age 18 with a high school diploma or GED certificate. Applicants should consider their own basic skills, relevant aptitudes, health history, English language proficiency and any physiological factors such as vision and manual dexterity to determine their ability to benefit from this profession.
A career of helping people improve their dental health will be rewarding and enormously satisfying for you. No two days will ever be the same and your job will renew itself. It is a career that will always be in demand and in need of capable, trained and caring Dental Assistants. Becoming a Dental Assistant can be the first step on a career path leading to a Dental Hygienist or a Dentist!
Begin your new career today and thank you for your interest in DATC. We look forward to seeing you in our next class!
Copyrighted 1992, Dental Careers, Inc., All rights reserved
