Dental Assisting: Oral Radiography

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, cleaning and disinfection of operatories, exposing radiographs, and other duties. Hours are generally standard daytime with some evening and weekend flexibility depending on the facility. This course prepares students to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board’s Radiation Health and Safety Exam which is required to become a Dental Radiation Technologist in Maryland. This course is open to students who have had previous training at a dental office or facility. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment the number of dental assistants has been projected to grow 8% from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. 56,400 openings for dental assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate clinical competencies of a Radiation Health Technologist,
2. function safely and efficiently as a member of the dental team under the supervision of the dentist,
3. communicate effectively with patients and dental team members, and
4. exhibit legal and ethical behavior which adheres to professional conduct standards for dentistry.​

Program Credential

Successful Completion:

CCBC Credential:

Students will have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).  Students will be eligible to take the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Exam.  

Certifying Organization:

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

Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners
https://health.maryland.gov/dental/Pages/home.aspx

CCBC Pathway

Health Professions Pathway.  Pathways are designed to help you meet your academic and career goals by aligning related courses and programs.  Pathway students participate in a variety of activities that help explore career opportunities in their field of study.  You can meet with a CCBC advisor who help align — or realign — your educational plan with the Pathway that best supports you and your goals.

Financial Aid and Payment Options

We offer financial aid by packaging public and private funding options to those who qualify, in select Continuing Education courses and programs. Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition,  the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.

Program Length

Oral Radiography course: 8 weeks

Radiation Safety Update course: 3 class sessions (9 hours)

Courses are offered at CCBC Dundalk and Randallstown extension center.

Program Requirements

Orientation: ​contact CEHealth@ccbcmd.edu for information. 

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 (self report to DANB)
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Students are required to use Brightspace (an online learning platform) to complete some assignments and tests in the course. Basic computer literacy and internet access is recommended.
• All other documents provided at information session that require signatures
• Letter from dentist verifying employment 
• Indidvidual must have been employed as a clinical dental assistant for at least one year in a dental practice or facility.

This program is eligible for Baltimore County Public School Blueprint funding (parental permission required).

Prior Learning Assessment

This program has no options for obtaining course waiver(s) for prior learning.

Application Process

​To apply, go to www.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 information session prior to registration.

Program Course Sequence

Course Information: For clinical dental assistants taking the stand alone Oral Radiography course:

Additional Offering

Additional Offerings: For students whose oral radiography certification has expired that want to be reinstated.  Must present copy of Dental Radiation Technologist certificate.

Additional 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 ($270), and miscellaneous supplies—approximately $400.

Skills for Success: 
​Detail oriented, Dexterity (good at working with hands), Interpersonal skills, Listening skills, and Organizational skills are all essential for success. ​See Technical Standards at the end of this document.

Career Opportunities:
Entry level dental assistant position.

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.emsicc.com/.

Program Contact Information

​For more information email CEHealth@ccbcmd.edu​ 

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, psycho motor 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 radio graphs
• 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 record keeping
• 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