Dental Assisting, ITC

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 Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam from the DANB (Dental Assisting National Board).

Entrance Requirements

The Dental Assisting program is a direct entry program. Candidates for admission are selected based on available space. Meeting the minimum criteria for admission does not guarantee admission into the program. Applications will be reviewed after all CEI admission requirements are met and Dental Assisting Enrollment form is received.  

New and Current CEI students complete the following enrollment steps: 

• Meet with an admissions counselor for guidance and application process 

• Contact CEI Admissions at 208-524-3000 Ext. 4 or email Admissions@cei.edu  

• Complete a CEI admission application  

• Submit required admission documentation (If applicable) 

• Complete placement scores (If applicable)  

• Complete and submit the Dental Assisting Enrollment Form in the supplemental section of the CEI application.  

• Enrollment form can be found on the CEI Dental Assisting webpage under “Requirements” tab 

Enrollment Deadline

The deadline to complete the CEI enrollment process and submit Dental Assisting Enrollment form is July 1st.  

Detailed information regarding enrollment steps, required documentation and deadline is available in the Dental Assisting Enrollment Guide located on the CEI Dental Assisting webpage. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the guide before applying. Please note that required documentation may change.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate competency in basic dental assistant skills in a competent 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
• 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 a proficiency exam at the conclusion of the program. Information regarding costs and dates for the exam will be provided by the program instructor(s).

Program Continuation Requirements

• All core courses must be passed with a minimum of a 73% (C) and must be passed consecutively before continuing to the next course.
• All program (DTL) courses must be passed with a minimum of a 73% (C) and must be passed consecutively before continuing to the next course.

 

• Thirty-two to thirty-four (32-34) Credits
• Financial Aid Eligible