Dental Assistant
Brighten up your future in one semester by enrolling in CVTC’s Dental Assistant program. As a dental assistant, you will be a vital part of the dental office. In the Dental Assistant program, you will learn how to:
- Assist the dentist in dental procedures.
- Sterilize and prepare instruments.
- Manage infection and hazard control following OSHA guidelines.
- Take impressions, prepare models, and lab work.
- Assist with general office procedures.
- Produce diagnostic x - rays with both film and digital sensors.
- Maintain and update dental charts.
- Perform coronal polishing
- Model professional appearance, behaviors, and ethics.
Students will receive a coronal polishing certificate of training. CVTC has a full - service dental clinic in which dental assistant students, dental hygiene students and dental students from Marquette School of Dentistry work together in a collaborative learning environment to provide care to patients who lack access to dental care. All dental assistant students rotate through the dental clinic as part of their training as well as complete clinical rotations at local dental offices to gain hands - on experience.
Credits Earned: Upon successful completion of this academy, students may earn their Dental Assistant Technical Diploma.
Requirements
- A grade of "C" or higher is required in all courses
- Students must be 18 prior to or during Applied Dental Radiography.
- Students need to have an ACT Composite Score of 19 or a High School GPA of 2.1
- CPR certification is a prerequisite; students will be required to show proof of certification before beginning the course.
Course Information
CPR
Format: Lab
Dates & Times: January 2028
508 - 101 Dental Health Safety
Format: Lab
Dates & Times: January 2028
508 - 103 Dental Radiography
Format: Lab & Lecture
Dates & Times: January - May, 2028
508 - 113 Dental Materials
Format: Lab & Lecture
Dates & Times: January - May, 2028
508 - 302 Dental Chairside
Format: Lab & Lecture
Dates & Times: January - May, 2028
508 - 304 Dental & General Anatomy
Format: Lecture
Dates & Times: January - May, 2028
508 - 306 Dental Assistant Clinical
Format: Clinical
Dates & Times: January - May, 2028
508 - 307 Dental Assistant Professional
Format: Lecture
Dates & Times: January - May, 2028
Course Descriptions
508 - 101 Dental Health Safety | 1 credit
Prepares dental auxiliary students to respond proactively to dental emergencies, control infection, prevent disease, adhere to OSHA Standards, and safely manage hazardous materials. Students also take patient vital signs and collect patient medical/dental histories. This course is a WTCS aligned course required in both the Dental Hygienist and Dental Assisting programs.
508 - 103 Dental Radiography | 2 credits
Prepares dental auxiliary students to operate x - ray units and expose bitewing, periapical, extra oral, and occlusal images. Emphasis is placed on protection against x - ray hazards. Students also process, mount, and evaluate dental images for diagnostic value. In this course, students demonstrate competency on a manikin. In addition, students expose bitewing and periapical images on patients in the clinical portion of their program. This course also provides the background in radiographic theory required for students to make informed decisions and adjustments.
508 - 113 Dental Materials | 2 credits
Prepares dental auxiliary students to handle and prepare dental materials such as liners, bases, cements, amalgam, resin restorative materials, gypsum products, and impression materials. They also learn to take alginate impressions on peers and clean removable appliances. This course is aligned to serve students in the Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant programs.
508 - 302 Dental Chairside | 5 credits
Prepares dental assistant students to chart oral cavity structures, dental pathology, and restorations and to assist a dentist with basic dental procedures including examinations, pain control, amalgam restoration, and cosmetic restoration. Students will also develop the ability to educate patients about preventive dentistry, brushing and flossing techniques, and dental procedures, using lay terminology. Throughout the course, students will apply decoding strategies to the correct use and interpretation of dental terminology.
508 - 304 Dental & General Anatomy | 2 credits
Prepares dental assistant students to apply fundamentals of general and dental anatomy to informed decision - making and to professional communication with colleagues and patients.
508 - 306 Dental Assistant Clinical | 3 credits
Students apply skills developed in Dental and General Anatomy, Dental Health Safety, Dental Chairside, Dental Materials, Dental Radiography, and Professionalism in a clinical setting with patients. Emphasizes integration of core abilities and basic occupational skills.
508 - 307 Dental Assistant Professional | 1 credit
Prepares dental assistant students for professional success in a dental practice or another dental health care environment. Students develop professional appearance and image. More importantly, they learn to work within ethical guidelines and legal frameworks. In preparation for entering the work force, dental assistants customize or develop their portfolios and lay out an ongoing professional development plan.
Just the Facts
Spring 2028
16 Credit High School Academy
Registration Status
Upcoming
Academy Dates
January 2028 - May 19, 2028
Days of The Week
M - F
Times
8 - 5 p.m.
Classroom Location
CVTC Health Education Center
Registration for this academy is upcoming.
Still have questions? Please contact our HS Academies Team at 715-852-1365 for more information.
Learn more about CVTC High School Academies at cvtc.edu/HSAcademies