Dental Assisting
A registered dental assistant (RDA) is a licensed dental professional who is an integral part of a successful dental team. The RDA performs a variety of patient care, office and laboratory duties which may include assisting the dentists, dental radiology, oral health education (e.g. toothbrushing, flossing, and nutritional counseling), implementing infection control, providing post-operative instructions, taking impressions, and communicating with patients. The Dental Assistant Program will prepare graduates to work in a variety of settings such as:
- Solo private dental practices (with one doctor)
- Group dental practices (2 or more doctors)
- Specialty practices such as oral and maxillary surgery, orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and pediatric dentistry.
- Public health dentistry, including settings such as schools and clinics
- Hospital dental clinics
- Dental school clinics
- Insurance companies, processing dental claims
- Vocational schools, community colleges, and universities, teaching others to be dental assistants (which may require Associate or Baccalaureate degrees).
- Dental product sales representatives
