Dental Assistant

Program Description

Dental Assistants work in dental offices assisting dentists in providing services to patients. The majority of the work is performed for procedures that include development of impressions, assisting with treatment such as fillings and root canals, and preparation of patient operatory. They may assist in reception and scheduling duties, sterilization of instruments, and exposing radiographs. Hours are generally standard daytime with some evening and weekend flexibility depending on the facility.

Program Outcomes

Successful Completion

Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Training Certificate, and will have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).  Students will be eligible to take the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Exam, as well as the Infection Control Exam (ICE),  and prepared to gain an entry level dental assistant position.   Upon gaining at least one year of chair side experience, students may complete advanced training by enrolling in the Maryland General Expanded Functions course.      

Certifying Organization:

Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) www.danb.org    

Maryland Board of Dental Examiners

https://health.maryland.gov/dental/Pages/home.aspx

Financial Aid and Payment Options

Baltimore County College Promise
Continuing Education Opportunity Grant
Partial Payment Option (through Nelnet Business Solutions)
Tuition Waiver for those who qualify
Workforce Development Sequence Scholarship
Employer/Sponsor Paid Tuition
Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
Local Office of Workforce Development
Students may apply for a career training scholarship through Central Scholarship (http://www.central-scholarship.org/)

Program Length

16-20 weeks

Dental courses are offered at CCBC Dundalk and CCBC Randallstown.

Program Requirements

Orientation Session - Mandatory:

Students are required to attend an orientation session prior to registering for classes. Information sessions are offered several times per year at the Randallstown and Dundalk Campuses. Check our website for updated times and dates, or contact Bev Davidson at bdavidson2@ccbcmd.edu or 443-840-2773.

Requirements:

All students must be computer literate and have Internet access.    

Students must have the following paperwork turned in two weeks PRIOR to the start of the program:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Students are required to use BlackBoard (an online learning platform) to complete some assignments and tests in the course. Basic computer literacy and internet access is recommended.
• Students must turn in the following paperwork to the program director prior to the start of the program:
  • Negative PPD (six months) or negative chest x-ray less than one year old
  • Positive titer or proof of vaccination/immunity for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella
  • Hepatitis B vaccination or declination form
  • Proof of Tetanus shot (less than ten years)
  • All other documents provided at information session that require signatures 

Application Process

To apply, go to ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Non-Credit Workforce Training Certificate application.  An email will then be sent with program information and any additional requirements necessary to apply for the program.

Provisional Entry: Students must attend a mandatory orientation session prior to registration.

Recommended Program Course Sequence

CPR (For Health Care Providers) REQUIRES 100% attendance. Students arriving late to class will not be admitted.  Late arrival to, or early exit from, class will also result in a failing grade and no refund. Students will then be required to retake the class at their expense.

Additional Information

Course Substitutions:

CPR Course:  Current CPR BLS (Healthcare Provider) card issued through the American Heart Association.

Career Opportunities:

​Entry level dental assistant position.  

Further Opportunities:

Students who have completed the Dental Assistant program courses have the option to apply for an unpaid dental externship in order to get hands-on experience in a dental office. Contact Bev Davidson, Dental Assistant Program Director for more information.

Additional Expenses:

​Expenses beyond the cost of tuition, fees, and books include any costs associated with medical paperwork ( Dr. appointment, vaccinations) scrubs, exam fee ($250), and miscellaneous supplies—approximately $400.

Skills for Success:
See Technical Standards at the end of this document.

Career Coach

Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more.  View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at: https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA .  Explore career and training opportunities at: https://ccbcmd.emsicareercoach.com/.

Program Contact Information

Coordinator: Beverly Davidson | bdavidson2@ccbcmd.edu | 443-840-2773 | Randallstown 

Administrative Assistant: Wanda Johnson | wjohnson@ccbcmd.edu | 443-840-1887 | Randallstown

Technical Standards

Technical Standards for CCBC’S Dental Assistant Training Series
The primary goal of The Community College of Baltimore County’s Dental Assistant Training Series is to adequately prepare students for an entry-level position as a chair side dental assistant in a dental office.  The duties of a dental assistant require the ability to stand or sit for long periods of time, in sometimes awkward positions, while constantly being focused on the task at hand. Dental assistants need to exercise safe practices while exposed to unpleasant sights, odors, materials, and communicable diseases.  Their duties also require them to be detail oriented and to work accurately and quickly. A high level of manual dexterity, psychomotor skills, and integrity are vital. Following is a partial listing of the types of skills typically required for adequate job performance:

Physical Requirements:
A.    Sufficient strength and mobility to: 

•     Work quickly to meet deadlines and/or production requirements
•     Keep hand and arm steady while performing a task with the other hand and arm.

B.    Fine motor coordination sufficient to perform precise tasks such as:

•     Handle delicate instruments with precision
•     Safely handle sharp instruments 
•     Handle instruments and equipment that may be costly to replace if damaged
•     Quickly and precisely adjust controls on equipment
•     Perform basic repairs to instrumentation 
•     Clean and assemble instrumentation

C.    Adequate vision to:

•     Read and interpret digital or traditional radiographs
•     Adequate distinction of colors to read and interpret sterilization indicators 
•     Read instruction sheets and computer screen   

Interpersonal Skills and Professionalism:
A.    Have the ability to: 

•     Work in a professional manner under sometimes stressful situations
•     Pay close attention to detail and recordkeeping
•     Commitment to learning and understanding new technologies, instrumentation, and procedures
•     Commitment to following approved standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures
•     Interact in a professional manner with many personalities and attitudes and with people from many different backgrounds
•     Respect and protect patient rights and confidentiality without regard to personal beliefs and judgments
•     Maintain proper certifications required to perform the duties of the profession
•     Accurately utilize all resource material available to remain current in the profession, 
•     Maintain a conscience/professional morality in the application of infection control techniques
•     Willingness to precept (train) others 

B.    Sufficient communication skills to:

•     Give and receive accurate written and verbal instructions
•     Carry out all written and verbal instructions
•     Follow proper channels of communication 
•     Communicate in a calm and professional manner
•     Communicate clearly and effectively to any team members regarding issues that may be difficult to address (i.e. problem with machinery that could affect sterilization; admission of own errors, etc.)

Intellectual Ability and Emotional Stability To:

•     Ability to apply critical thinking and problem solving skills
•     Exercise independent judgment to properly perform tasks at hand
•     Accurately utilize all resource material available to perform the task at hand 
•     Perform duties while exposed to communicable diseases and unpleasant sights, odors, and materials 
•     Accept feedback from others 

Environment Requirements:
A.    The dental assisting profession involves risks and/or discomforts that require special safety precautions including, but not limited to:

•     Wearing gowns, caps, masks, gloves, and eye protection
•     Working in an environment that exposes one to potentially hazardous materials, such as cleaning agents and chemicals and blood-borne pathogens
•     Providing proof of recent immunizations against infectious diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella
•     Receiving Hepatitis B vaccine and annual testing for exposure to tuberculosis
•     Submitting to periodic drug screening