Continuing/ Workforce Education (revised 5.23.22)
       Dental Assistant
          Are you interested in a rewarding, challenging and fast-paced career in the 
          dental field? A dental assistant is a vital member of the dental team, involved in 
          many aspects of the dental office. A dental assistant sterilizes instruments, 
          prepares dental tray set-ups, transfer instruments to the dentist, take oral
          impressions, obtains a patient’s medical history, takes vital signs, exposes, 
          and processes dental radiographs (x-rays), and manages billing, scheduling, 
          and insurance filing. The dental assistant provides comfort to a patient before 
          and after treatment and assists the dentist chairside when performing dental 
          procedures.
          The Dallas College Dental Assistant Program combines 99 lecture hours with 48 
          clinical externship hours to provide the student with entry-level dental assistant 
          skills for the workplace. The Dental Assistant Program curriculum prepares the 
          student to apply for the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) credential through the 
          Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE). The program curriculum has 
          dedicated classroom, hands-on, and clinical externship hours. The program is based
          at the El Centro College Paramount Building.
          Acceptance to the Dental Assistant Program requires the completion of the Dental 
          Assistant Application Packet which is due two weeks before the first day of class. 
          This is a limited enrollment program. This information packet contains specific 
          application guidelines and requirements. By applying packet, an individual verifies 
          that they have 1) read the packet thoroughly, 2) obtained all necessary documents, 
          and 3) understood the policies and procedures for application and acceptance to the 
          program. The first 10 complete applications will be invited to enroll in the program.
          The Dallas College Dental Assistant Program is an approved CE course by the Texas
          State Board of Dental Examiners.
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                                   APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS TO THE DENTAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM
                                         Submission of the Initial DENTAL ASSISTANT Packet to include:
                                               1) Continuing Education Registration 
                                                    https://www.dallascollege.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/docs/cd/ce/dcccd-ce- 
                                                    blank-reg-form-ada.pdf
                                               2) Dental Assistant Application
                                               3) Acknowledgement of the DNTA 1060 Clinical Expectations
                                               4) Acknowledgement of the Dallas College Communicable Disease Information
                                                    and Policy
                                               Please carefully read and complete the application.  Incomplete applications 
                                               will not be reviewed. This application packet must be completed and 
                                               submitted in one email to  ContinuingEd@dcccd.edu  .  
                                               During the following filing periods:
                                               Official application filing period for a Fall semester (late August) admission only:
                                               April 1-June 30th and  Notification emails will be sent 2 weeks 
                                               before course start date.
                                                  Official application filing period for a Spring semester (mid-January) admission only:
                                               September 1 – November 30
                                               Notification emails will be sent 2 weeks before course start date
                                               Due to limited seating, application packets are reviewed in order of received 
                                               date.
                                         Submission and notification of compliance of all documents in the SurScan 
                                         website to include:
                                              1) A valid non-expired American Heart Association BLS CPR for Health Care
                                                    Providers. (Hardcopy front and back of card). On-line courses are not 
                                                    accepted.
                                                        i.   Applicants who do not have a valid non-expired American Heart 
                                                             Association BLS CPR for Healthcare Providers card can register for a 
                                                             CPR course at Dallas College - by reviewing the online schedule at 
                                                             https://ceschedule.dcccd.edu/ce. (EMSP 1019 BLS CPR for Healthcare 
                                                             Providers)
                                              2) Required Immunizations (see list on checklist)
                                              3) TB Skin Test (within the past 12 months)
                                              4) Flu Shot within 1 year (only applicable to the September-November applicants).
                                              5) Valid government issued identification or driver’s license
                                              6) Signed social security card
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          Description of the program: The Dental Assistant Program is a condensed, fast- 
          paced course to prepare you for entry level into the dental assisting profession. You 
          will learn to apply your knowledge and skills to function effectively as an integral 
          member of the health care time. The program focus is dental radiography imaging and
          safety, techniques of general four-handed dentistry, manipulation of various dental 
          materials, infection control and sterilization, emergency medical management, 
          fabrication of impressions and study models, front desk patient management, and 
          ethics and professionalism. You must be able to devote at least 10 hours per week 
          preparing and studying, attend all classes and engage in the program to be successful.
          What job opportunities are available as a dental assistant?
             Dental Assistant
             Registered Dental Assistant
             Dental Office Management
             Specialty Dental Assistant (orthodontics, dental surgery, etc.).
          Is there an age requirement?
             Yes. Minimum age of 18 by course completion date
          Are there any prerequisites for the DENTAL ASSISTANT Course?
             There are no prerequisites for the Dental Assistant course.
          What classes do I have to take?
             DNTA 1015 – Chairside Assisting (99-hour course). A study of pre-clinical 
              chairside assisting procedures.
             DNTA 1060 – Clinical – Dental Assisting/Assistant (48-hour course). A 
              health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to 
              apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision
              is provided by the clinical professional. This is an external learning 
              experience. You must have adequate and reliable transportation to and from 
              the assigned dental office(s) and commit to 100% attendance during the week
              of the external clinical experience.
          When is it offered/when does it start?
              The Dental Assistant Program is offered in Fall and Spring semesters.
          Optional course: 2 non-credit DNTA 2000 Nitrous Oxide Monitoring and Exam 
          – request more information following selection into program.
          How much does it cost?
          (Cost are approximate and varies depending on what you are missing 
          with immunizations)
             Chairside Assisting (DNTA 1015) - $990.00
             Clinical – Dental Assisting/Assistant (DNTA 1060) - $144.00
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                         Please note, books are not included in the cost of tuition for Continuing Education classes.
                         Textbooks – $180.00 estimated with El Sevier:  
                           https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/
                           Modern Dental Assisting, 13th ed, ISBN 9780323624855
                           Student Workbook for Modern Dental Assisting, 13th ed, ISBN 9780323673167
                         Uniform scrubs – navy blue scrubs and clean white or black shoes (See Student
                           Expectations and Dress Code) $50 - 100.00
                         Lab Supplies: $125.00
                         SurScan Account - $95.17
                         Immunizations – refer to immunizations required on page 5.
                        Following completion of the program:
                                RDA application - $38.00 (payable to Texas State Board of Dental
                                 Examiners (TSBDE) (after passing the RDA exam)
                                Fingerprinting and Background Check- $60.00 (approx.) (After passing
                                 the RDA Exam) (State required for certification)
                                National Practitioner Data Bank NPDB) Self Query Report - $4.00
                                 (After passing the RDA Exam) (State required for certification)
                    Will Financial Aid pay for my courses?
                           Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) pays for tuition only (if you 
                           qualify and are approved). Eligibility is based on financial need. You 
                           must complete the FAFSA  www.fafsa.ed.gov    and TPEG application. 
                           Visit financial aid website for more information or contact El Centro’s 
                           Financial Aid Office located in A034 or phone Call Center 972-669-6400.
                         Financial aid will not pay for books, supplies and vendor fees.
                         Dallas College’s Federal School Code 004453
                         You will need a valid email address to accept your award through eConnect.
                    Am I certified when I finish the course?
                          No. You will need to take and pass the Registered Dental Assistant Exam and
                           apply for certification by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners after 
                           you have completed the requirement that is listed: 
                          TSBDE has recently approved and adopted the following rule 
                           amendment made to Rule 114.6(c)(7) which specifically will now require an 
                           applicant to submit proof of a course completion in human trafficking 
                           prevention approved by the executive commissioner of the Texas Health and 
                           Human Services Commission in addition to all other required documents. 
                           This new requirement will be effective 10/01/2021. 
                           https://tsbde.texas.gov/licensing/dental-assistants/registered-dental-assistant-
                           x-ray-certification/
                          Additional information will be given during class regarding this process.
                          HB 1508 Notice
                                       This program may lead to an occupational license for which a 
                                        prior criminal history may make a student ineligible. For more
                                        information please
                                       visit  dcccd.edu/hb1508   .
                    Where are the classes held?
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