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UTRGV
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Continuing Education Office of Professional Education & Workforce Development

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dental assistant at work

Dental Assistant Program 


The Dental Assistant Program prepares students for entry-level positions in one of the fastest-growing health care professions.

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Description:


*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.

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, pantograph, and peripheral). The student will learn the steps necessary to assist a dentist while providing quality dental care within the community.


Details:



• 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.

This course includes a CPR certification course and covers the material necessary to prepare students to take the State of Texas "TSBDE" Dental Assisting exam and the National Workforce Career Association Dental Assisting (DACC) exam. Exam fees are not included within the Dental Assistant program fee.

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.

Private Loans

 




Brownsville Course Information

Edinburg Course Information

Days:
Lecture: Mondays & Wednesdays

Labs: Saturdays

Dates:
February 20 - May 17, 2023

Labs: March 11 & April 1, 2023

Times:
Lecture: 6 p.m - 9:30 p.m

Labs: 9 a.m - 4:30 p.m

Format:
In-class

Location:
Lecture & Labs: 
Edinburg CESS Building

Instructor:
Meliza Treviño

Cost:
$ 1,999

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Edinburg Course Information

Brownsville Course Information

Days:
Lecture: Mondays & Wednesdays

Labs: Saturdays

Dates:
February 20 - May 17, 2023

Labs: March 18 & April 1, 2023

Times:
Lecture: 6 p.m - 9:30 p.m

Labs: 9 a.m - 4:30 p.m

Format:
In-class

Location:
Lecture & Labs:
Brownsville St. Joseph Academy

Instructor:
TBA

Cost:
$ 1,999

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Contact Us - UTRGV Continuing Education


UTRGV CESS BLDG

1407 E Freddy Gonzalez 
CESS Building, Rm. 1700
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999

Phone: (956) 665-2071
continuinged@utrgv.edu

Brownsville Campus

101 St Joseph Dr, 
Brownsville, Texas 78520

Phone: (956) 882-7711

Hours

Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST

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