The Dental Assisting (DTL) program at College of Eastern Idaho consists of classroom training, clinical skills training, and clinical experience in area dental offices. The program’s curriculum follows Idaho State Board of Dentistry guidelines. The curriculum provides the training necessary to become an integral part of the dental profession and offers the student supervised training to become a dental assistant.
With this education and two (2) years of clinical experience, graduates may sit for the DNAB (Dental National Assisting Board) Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam.
Entrance Requirements
- Meet College Admissions Requirements for General Education Students.
- Placement scores Into English 101 (without the +P class).
Potential Dental Students who meet the previous requirements will then be permitted to participate in the Dental Professional Program Application process listed below:
- Professional Program Application Requirements:
- Completion of Dental Assisting Professional Program Packet–Due June 1st.
- Personal dental examination
- Observation of Dental Assistant(s) in a dental office (3-4 hours)
- Documentation of the following current immunizations are required:
- Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus (DPT)
- Tetanus must be current (within the last five years)
- Mumps, Measles, and Rubella (MMR) or two vaccinations of Measles and Rubella
- Hepatitis A series (completed)
- Hepatitis B series (completed)
- Polio series (completed)
- Proof of Varicella (chicken pox) vaccination or titer result
- Meningococcal
- Proof of an annual TB skin test (to be completed after August 1st and turned in the 1st day of class)
- Flu shot - required by October 15
- COVID immunization(s) required at certain dental clinics and if you attend procedures at the hospital with dentist
- Documentation of health insurance
- The Dental Assisting Program is a competitive admission. The Dental Director will select potential students based on completed packet and video interview.
- Incomplete packets will not be considered for entrance into the program.
Note: Dental Assisting students are expected to abide by the Dental Assisting Program standards. These include, but are not limited to, no facial or oral piercings will be allowed in the classroom, clinical sites, or lab area. One set of stud earrings may be worn in each ear. Individuals with visible tattoos are required to have the tattoos covered while in class, clinical sites, and labs. Students with visible tattoos may experience difficulty in finding employment in area dental offices. Students are required to wear scrubs to class and clinicals.
Required materials for the Dental Professional Program Application, such as immunization list are subject to change.
Post Acceptance Requirements
- Mandatory Dental Program Orientation–Last Wednesday in June
- Background check–Due August 1st (Must be completed after July 1st)
- TB test–Due first day of class
- Flu Immunization–Due October 15th
Intended Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate competency in basic dental assistant skills in a proficient and safe manner when working with patients, families, and communities while being nonjudgmental of cultural, religious, and ethnic differences
- Demonstrate competency in performing front office skills for entry level dental assistants
- Demonstrate effective verbal, non-verbal, written, and technological communication utilizing appropriate terminology during interactions with patients, families, and dental health care team members
- Demonstrate accountability, professional values, and ethical behavior within the scope of practice of a dental assistant and the policies and procedures of the employing institutions
- Be Idaho-certified in expanded functions for dental assistants
- Acknowledge that dental assisting is dynamic and requires life-long learning
Program Costs
In addition to the semester registration fees, a Dental Assisting student may expect to spend an approximate total of $2,000 on books, supplies, liability insurance, CPR, first aid, dental conventions, and Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and/or National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) program exit assessments.
Graduates are required to sit for proficiency exams at the conclusion of their program. Information regarding costs and dates for the exams will be posted in the online Catalog and available from the program instructor(s).
Program Continuation Requirements
- All core courses must be passed with a minimum of a 77% (C+), and must be passed consecutively before continuing on to the next course.
- All program (DTL) courses must be passed with a minimum of a 77% (C+), and must be passed consecutively before continuing on to the next course.
- Thirty-eight (38) Credits
- Financial Aid Eligible