Dental Assisting(4DENT)

Fast Facts About the Program

Type: Technical

Degree/Certificate: Certificate of technology

Duration: Three terms

Program ObjectivesThe dental assisting program is a science-oriented skill development curriculum. The method of instruction includes lecture, laboratory, and clinical practice.

The San Jacinto College dental assisting program consists of fourteen dental assisting courses spread over three college semesters. The program will prepare the graduate for licensing as a Registered Dental Assistant with the Texas Board of Dental Examiners. Also, upon successful completion of the dental assisting program, students are awarded a 39 semester credit hour dental assisting certificate of technology.

The dental assisting program is a full-time course of study. Courses are held on varying days and times according to course (lecture, lab, clinical) scheduling.

Upon entering the dental assisting program, students are required to submit current health care provider CPR, drug screening, criminal background check, proof of immunizations, and a physical.

Job OpportunitiesJob prospects in the dental field are predicted to be excellent because of an expected increase in public demand for dental care. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 31 percent upward

change between 2010 and 2020 in employment in dental offices. Socrates projects a 27.5 percent change in the market in Texas during this period. This relates directly to the rapid growth in the elderly population. There is a greater awareness of the importance of good dental hygiene, and the advances in the dental industry have been phenomenal. People are taking better care of their teeth. They are having more procedures done to sustain their natural teeth. Therefore, more people are entering middle age and older with retention of their natural teeth.

Dental assistants are an integral part of the dentistry team. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that dentists will hire more assistants to perform more of the routine dental tasks which will allow them to have more time to perform more difficult procedures. Today the staffing pattern of most dental offices consists of one dentist, one dental hygienist, and one or more dental assistants. This ratio is expected to increase. Perhaps, because of the multi-role of the assistant, in the future, there might be a ratio of two, three, or more dental assistants to one dentist in the office.

Earnings are also projected to increase in health care in the ten year period between 2010 and 2020. Currently the average dental assistant’s salary is $33,470. The national range is $23,550 - $47,580. The average wage for this occupation in Houston is $32,700.

An equal opportunity institution

For More Information

Call Center: 281-998-6150

General Email: information@sjcd.edu

San Jacinto College Central8060 Spencer Hwy.Pasadena, Texas 77505

Contact: 713-754-8423

Revised 6/2013

Dental Assisting (4DENT)Certificate of TechnologyFirst Term Credit

DNTA 1411 Dental Science ................................................................... 4 DNTA 1305 Dental Radiography ......................................................... 3DNTA 1245 Preventative Dentistry .................................................... 2 DNTA 1415 Chairside Assisting ............................................................ 4 DNTA 1401 Dental Materials ................................................................ 4 Subtotal 17

Second Term Credit

DNTA 1447 Advance Dental Science ................................................. 4 DNTA 1349 Dental Radiology in the Clinic ...................................... 3 DNTA 1251 Dental Office Management ........................................... 2 DNTA 1453 Dental Assisting Applications ....................................... 4 DNTA 1167 Practicum (or Field Experience) Dental Assisting/Assistant .............................................................. 1 DNTA 1341 Dental Laboratory Procedures ..................................... 3 Subtotal 17

Third Term Credit

DNTA 2267 Practicum (or Field Experience) Dental Assisting/Assistant .............................................................. 2 DNTA 1102 Communications and Behavior in the Dental Office ....................................................................................... 1DNTA 2230 Seminar for the Dental Assistant ................................. 2 Subtotal 5

Certificate of Technology Total 39

Capstone DNTA 2267

Note: For complete program descriptions, please refer to the San Jacinto Community College District Catalog online at www.sanjac.edu/catalog.

Connect with us on281-998-6150www.sanjac.edu