Dental Assisting
This New Career Will Have You Smiling
A beautiful smile crosses all boundaries - there’s nothing that makes a more powerful connection between people around the world. The health of people’s teeth is critical to their overall health and quality of life, and excellent dental care plays a big part in making that happen. As a skilled Dental Assistant, you can have a satisfying career and provide a valuable health care service that makes a positive difference in people’s lives.
A dental assistant is a skilled and essential member of the dental health care team in the delivery of preventive and restorative dentistry. If you enjoy working with all kinds of people, are able to put people at ease with tact and courtesy, and like to work with your hands, you might enjoy this career. Dental Assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties to help dentists when they examine and treat patients. You will work at chair-side directly with the dentist, as well as prepare instruments and equipment for procedures. Your interpersonal skills will be valuable in making clients comfortable, and in providing ongoing dental care education.
Want to find out if this career is for you? Check it out on the web at http://www.acinet.org/, and select Occupation Information.
Program Description
With your degree in Dental Assisting from PPCC, you can begin a new career as a highly qualified member of a dental health care team. Graduates of the PPCC Dental Assisting program are highly sought after by local employers as Chair-Side Dental Assistants and Expanded Functions Dental Assistants. You can also work as an assistant in the specialized fields of oral surgery, pediatric or orthodontic dentistry.
Accredited by the American Dental Association, your coursework includes classroom, hands-on laboratory and more than 300 hours of clinical experience. Certificate and Associate of Applied Sciences Degree options are available.
Career Path Notes
The PPCC Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA). Upon graduation you will be eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Examination to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
Program Information
Click here for program specific information.
For More Information
Call the Division of Health, Environmental, Natural and Physical Sciences at 719-502-3400.
Employment Opportunities
Dental Assisting is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States with a 57% increased need and demand caused by acute shortage of trained dental assistants. Job opportunities include Dental Assisting in General Practice, Orthodontic, Oral Surgery, Pediatric, Prosthodontic, Endodontic, Periodontic, and Administrative areas, and Dental Supply Salesperson.
Earnings Outlook
In Colorado, the median hourly salary in 2005 for Dental Assistants was $15.83 with a salary range of $11.15 - $21.90. In Colorado from 2004 to 2014, there are expected to be an average of 310 job openings per year. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Financial Aid
Advising
Apply
www.ppcc.edu/Apply Find Out More About Your Future Career
Contact Career Planning and Advising at (719) 502-3232
www.ppcc.edu/Advising
Associate of Applied Science Degree
1st Semester - Fall
DEA 102 Principles of Clinical Practice
DEA 104 Specialties of Dentistry
DEA 120 Introduction to Dental Practices
DEA 121 Dental Science I
DEA 123 Dental Materials I
DEA 125 Dental Radiography
DEA 126 Infection Control
Semester 1 Credit Hours 18
2nd Semester - Spring
DEA 111 Dental Office Management
DEA 122 Dental Science II
DEA 124 Dental Materials II
DEA 131 Advanced Dental Radiography
DEA 132 Medical Emergencies
DEA 134 Prevention and Nutrition in Dentistry
DEA 181 Clinical Internship I (2nd Bi-semester)
Semester 2 Credit Hours 16
3rd Semester - Summer Semester
CIS 118 Introduction to PC Applications
COM 115 Public Speaking
or
COM 125 Interpersonal Communication
or
ENG 121 English Composition I
DEA 140 Dental Assisting National Board Review (Elective)
DEA 182 Clinical Internship II and Seminar
Semester 3 Credit Hours 13 (14)
4th Semester - Fall
DEA 200 Introduction to Expanded Functions
COM 225 Organizational Communication
or
ENG 122 English Composition II
PSY 101 General Psychology I
or
PSY 112 Psychology of Adjustment
Semester 4 Credit Hours 10
5th Semester - Spring
DEA 205 Expanded Functions for Dental Auxiliary
PSY 102 General Psychology II
or
PSY 235 Human Development
Semester 5 Credit Hours 7
Total Credit Hours 63
(64 with DEA 140 Elective)
Certificate
Dental Assisting