Dental Assisting

Division of Allied Health, Scott Community College

Program Description
The dental assistant performs a wide range of tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical skills. Specific tasks a dental assistant may perform are determined by state regulations.

Dental assistants perform such specific tasks as: assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures; taking and developing dental radiographs (c-rays); serving as an infection control officer, developing infection control protocol and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment; providing patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures, such as the placement of a restoration (filling); helping patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment; teaching patient appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health; taking impressions for patients' teeth for study casts; performing office management tasks that often require the use of a personal computer; communicating with patients and suppliers; and assisting with and helping provide direct patient care in all dental specialties, including orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and oral surgery.

Scott Community College established the Dental Assisting program in August of 1995. It is a diploma program with a course of study covering two semesters. Students may take classes either full-time or part-time. The program provides a practicum in both local dental offices, the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and the Veterans Affairs Dental Clinic during the second semester. It is suggested the student attend fulltime for this reason.

Program Accreditation
The Dental Assisting program has received preliminary provisional accreditation by the Commission of Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (ADA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation Board by the United States Department of Education. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to take an examination prepared by the Dental Assistants National Board to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). Successful completion of the Radiation Health and Safety section of this exam also fills the radiography credential testing requirement of the Iowa Board of Dental Examiners.

Advising
Upon admission, students will be assigned a faculty advisor. Prior to admission, prospective students will. receive academic advisement from full-time advisors and counselors on staff in the student development offices.

Uniforms
Students are required to purchase 3 solid color uniforms, 1 pair of clinic shoes and 1 pair protective eyewear.

Award Options
Diploma

Job Outlook
Graduates are employable nationwide. Dental Assisting employees have some of the most ideal working conditions and attractive hours of any of the health professions. Dental Assistants are a valued team member with a high degree of interaction with the patient.

Most Dental Assistants work in dental offices, either for private or group practitioners. Job opportunities also exist in dental schools, hospitals, public health departments, prisons, military installations, and dental supply companies. The increasing clinical emphasis of Dental Assistant's responsibilities and the increasing need to control health-care costs make the employment outlook for well-trained Dental Assistants very good.

Earnings
A typical Dental Assistant working in Davenport/Bettendorf, IA, earns a median base salary of $26,832, according to the Dental Assistant National Board. Half of the people in this job earn between $20,027 and $26,337. Most of SCC's Dental Assisting graduates are hired by private practices.

For More Information Contact
Tina Ball, CDA, RDA, EFDA
Scott Community College, Dental Assisting Program
500 Belmont Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722-6804
Phone: (563) 441-4260

Companies that have hired
SCC Dental Assisting graduates

Printable (pdf) Fact Sheet