The Dental Assisting Program is designed to prepare students with knowledge and hands-on skills to gain entry-level employment in the dental field. Students are exposed to all aspects of dental assisting including appointment scheduling, patient charts, and legal obligations of the dental team. Emphasis is placed on infection-control, dental radiology, chairside dental assisting, dental materials, and dental specialties.  Certifications will include OSHA 10 Career Safe, First Aid, HIPAA, CPR Healthcare Provider level through the American Heart Association and a Radiology Certification through Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. This is a performance based course.  Accent is placed on procedures for which the dental assistant is directly responsible.  Foundational knowledge and skills acquired will be built upon as students continue to develop techniques and skills learned.

Students will participate in clinical internship. Eligible students can participate in approved cooperative learning experience. Students who successfully complete a minimum of 936 hours of coursework, including 200 hours of clinical training, and are awarded their high school diploma can apply to the Massachusetts Board of Dentistry for licensure as a dental assistant. The student will have the opportunity to achieve Infection Control Exam (ICE) and the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) certification through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

Students learn administrative duties such as inventory control, record keeping and office procedures. Clinical and administrative skills prepare students for many challenging professional employment opportunities in private and group practices. Students are also encouraged to continue their education to become dental laboratory technicians, dental hygienists, dental educators and dentists. The dental field is a fun, lucrative and rewarding career path. 

Students are recommended to take Chemistry in Grade 11 and Anatomy & Physiology or AP Biology in Grade 12. 

Technical Courses

• Career Exploration (100) – 18 Credits

• Dental 9 (286) -12 Credits

• Dental 10 (283) – 24 Credits

• Dental Theory 10 (283T) – 5 Credits

• Dental 11 (284) – 34 Credits

• Dental 11 Theory (284T) – 5 Credits

• Dental 12 (285) – 34 Credits

• Dental 12 Theory (285T) – 5 Credits