Dental Assistant Program
Would you like to build an exciting and rewarding career in healthcare?
The Dental Assistant Program will prepare you to be successful in vital entry-level positions within the fast-growing field of oral health care.
This program will help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to take the state and/or national certification exams and work in dental offices assisting dentists in the delivery of oral health care.
Through an instructor-led curriculum that includes lectures, hands-on labs, and CPR training, you will learn about anatomy and physiology, dental terminology, examination and treatment planning and procedures, dental materials and instruments, patient records, infection control, radiography, overview of dental specialties, assisting in emergency care, as well as dental law and ethics.
This non-academic program is comprised of 100 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on labs, including a CPR certification, and a clinical internship* opportunity of 40 hours at a local dental office.
Upon successful completion of this program, students would be eligible to take the following national certification exams:
- State of Texas “TSBDE” Dental Assisting Exam
- National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Dental Assisting Clinical Certification (DACC) Exam
*Internships provide valuable hands-on experience in the field, enabling you to master the content learned through practice, increase your professional network, and gain work experience to be competitive in the job market.
To be eligible for the clinical internship, participants must successfully complete the 100-hour program, submit to a thorough background check, drug screening, and meet additional requirements. Internship is unpaid.
Details:
• Dental anatomy and physiology
• Tooth charting, tooth surfaces, and classification of restorations on a tooth
• Review of bridge implants, bitewing, panograph, and periapical x-ray, the mixing of dental cements, and dental anesthesia
• Instrument identification and equipment maintenance
• Oral health and preventions of dental disease
• Infection control in dentistry and occupational health and safety
• The dental assisting profession and history of dentistry
• Patient information, records, and assessment
In addition to entry-level administrative positions, this course is ideal for students interested in the dental assisting field and looking to pursue a formal dental assisting program.
Note: PEWD program participants should be 18 years or older.
Recommended level of education: High School diploma or GED/high school equivalency.
Note: PEWD program participants should be 18 years or older.
This program meets the necessary requirements for participants to take the following examinations*.
State of Texas “TSBDE” Dental Assisting Exam
National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Dental Assisting Clinical Certification (DACC) Exam National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Dental Assisting Clinical Certification (DACC) Exam
*Please review additional eligibility criteria to take certification exams, on the respective websites.
Exam information is for reference purposes only and is not included in the course fee.
Ms. Meliza Trevino
Ms. Alexandra Sanchez
Note: If you are applying for the Continuing Education Private Loan to cover the registration fee for a non-credit continuing education program, then please use the UTRGV Continuing Education School Code: 003599. The loan amount you note in the application cannot exceed the open enrollment fee noted on our website. Books will NOT be included in the loan amount. The minimum for the loans must be $500.00. Some service charges may apply.
*The only loan provider PEWD accepts is Sallie Mae*
Please email pewd@utrgv.edu once you have been approved so we may certify your loan.
Submit a required written request via email three business days before the program start date. Weekends are not considered. Partial refunds are not allowed.
Edinburg Course Information
TBA
Dates:
Spring 2025
Days/Times:
TBA
Program Modality:
Hybrid (Online via Zoom & In Person)
Location:
Lecture: Online via Zoom
Labs: Edinburg CESS Building
Instructor:
Ms. Meliza Trevino
Cost:
$ 2,199
Refund Deadline:
TBA
Notes:
Students requiring accommodation should contact our office pewd@utrgv.edu to learn about the process.
Brownsville Course Information
September 2, 2024
Dates:
September 4 - November 20, 2024
Days/Times:
Mondays & Wednesdays: 6:00 p.m - 9:30 p.m Via Zoom
Saturday Labs: October 12, October 19 (CPR), & November 2, 2024
9 a.m – 4:30 p.m
Program Modality:
Hybrid (Online via Zoom & In Person)
Location:
Lecture: Online via Zoom
Labs: Brownsville St. Joseph Academy
Instructor:
Ms. Alexandra Sanchez
Cost:
$ 2,199
Refund Deadline:
August 29, 2024
Notes:
Students requiring accommodation should contact our office pewd@utrgv.edu to learn about the process.
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