Description:
The Dental Assistant program will cover key areas and topics exposing participants to both classroom and hands-on instruction. The classroom instruction reviews the necessary anatomy, terminology, legal and ethical issues as well as the policy and guidelines necessary to understanding the scope of practice and the practical aspects of dental assisting. Topics include instrument identification, equipment maintenance, tooth structure, oral cavity anatomy, dental anesthesia, sterilization, tooth charting, restorations, bridge implants, mixing of dental cement, and x-ray techniques (bitewing, panograph, and peripheral). The student will learn the steps necessary to assist a dentist while providing quality dental care within the community.
Note: This 100 contact hour program includes a CPR certification course and covers the content needed to prepare students to take the Texas “TSBDE” Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam.
Details:
What You Will You Learn:
• Dental anatomy and physiology
• Tooth charting, tooth surfaces, and classification of restorations on a tooth
• 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 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.
Students must have or plan to receive a high school diploma or GED. Participants must also possess a minimum of 10th-grade math and reading skills.
Note: Participants must be at least 18 years old to sit for the national certification exam after completing this course.
The potential certification listed below is for reference purposes only and is not included in the course fee.
Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)
www.danb.org
Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
Exam Cost: $450.00
Ms. Leslie Perales (McAllen)
Ms. Leslie Perales has instructed Dental Assisting courses for over eight years. She currently serves as a Registered Dental Hygienist at Mid-Valley Dental Associates and has been licensed to practice dental hygiene in the state of Texas since 2013. Along with her years of experience in dental assisting, she is currently a TSBDE Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) which provides a substantial advantage to her students who are preparing to become RDAs in the UTRGV Dental Assistant Program.
Ms. Tracy Lopez (Brownsville)
Ms. Tracy Lopez currently works as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) for the Office of Dr. Joel Martinez where she assists with orthodontics procedures, dental radiography, and staff training. Prior to her current position with Dr. Joel Martinez, Ms. Lopez worked with Harlingen Family Dentistry since 2005, working alongside several talented dentists in a variety of dental specialties. Ms. Lopez has worked in the dental assisting field for over 14 years and has served as a Dental Assisting instructor since 2015 where she has enjoyed teaching many bright minds and future Dental Assistants.
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. The minimum for the loans must be $500.00. Some service charges may apply.
Please email continuinged@utrgv.edu once you have been approved by your loan provider so we may certify your loan.
Edinburg Course Information
Days:
TBA
Dates:
TBA
Times:
Lecture: 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Labs: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location:
Lecture: Online via Zoom*
Labs: Edinburg CESS Building
Instructor:
Ms. Leslie Perales
Cost:
$ 1,799
Notes:
* Lecture components of this class will occur online via Zoom on Mondays and Wednesdays. Labs will be scheduled in person on Saturdays.
Brownsville Course Information
Days:
TBA
Dates:
TBA
Times:
Lecture: 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Labs: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location:
Lecture: Online via Zoom*
Labs: Brownsville St. Joseph Academy
Instructor:
Ms. Tracy Lopez
Cost:
$ 1,799
Notes:
* Lecture components of this class will occur online via Zoom on Mondays and Wednesdays. Labs will be scheduled in person on Saturdays.
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