| Diploma Program: Cleveland West, Nashville
The Dental Assisting Program provides training in the skills and knowledge that can help you qualify for an entry-level position as a dental assistant.
Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties, including:
- Working chair side as dentists examine and treat patients.
- Preparing patients for treatment.
- Assisting dentists with instruments and materials.
- Instructing patients on postoperative and general oral healthcare.
- Preparing materials for impressions and restorations.
- Taking dental X-rays and processing X-ray films as directed by dentists.*
- Removing sutures and applying topical anesthetics to gums or cavity-preventive agents to teeth.
- Making casts of teeth and mouth from impressions.
- Cleaning and polishing removable appliances and making temporary crowns.
- Scheduling and confirming appointments, receiving patients, keeping treatment records, and sending bills.
The Dental Assisting Program consists of eight learning units called modules. Once you complete the first seven modules, you will participate in an externship, where you will have an opportunity to engage in hands-on learning and gain practical work experience. When you complete the Dental Assisting Program, you should be awarded a diploma and should have the basic skills and knowledge to begin your career as a dental assistant.
* Additional certification may be required to perform X-rays.
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