Dental assistants are an integral part of nearly every dental office. With the ability to perform both medical and administrative tasks, a good dental assistant helps to ensure a safe and productive visit for patients.
Stratford's Dental Assistant course offers students a well-rounded education on a variety of both medical and administrative skills that are essential to working in the dental profession. These include learning dental anatomy and dental instruments, as well as how to assist patients, make charts, and label x-rays.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of Dental Assistant jobs is projected to increase by 7% through 2032 which is faster than average, and the median annual salary is $44,820.*
Introduction to the Dental Assistant Profession • A brief history of medicine
• Dealing with patients
• Preferred traits and qualities
• Medical law and medical ethics
• Daily duties of the dental assistant
• Appointments and reports
• Job search and employment opportunities
Basic Dental Science • The dental healthcare team
• Psychology, communication and multicultural interaction
• Ethics, jurisprudence and HIPAA
• Oral health and preventive techniques
• Nutrition
• General anatomy and physiology
• Head and neck anatomy
• Embryology and histology
• Tooth morphology
Clinical Dental Procedures • Microbiology
• Infection control
• Management of hazardous materials
• Preparation for patient care
• Dental charting
• Pharmacology
• Emergency management
• Dental office and chairside assisting
• Chairside instruments and tray systems
• Instrument transfer and maintaining the operating field
• Anesthesia and sedation
Dental Radiography and Specialties • Radiography and equipment
• Production and evaluation of radiographs
• Extraoral and digital radiographs
• Endontics
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery
• Oral pathology
• Orthodontics
• Pediatric dentistry
• Enamel sealants
Restorative Dentistry and Office Management • Periodontics and coronal polish
• Fixed prosthodontics and gingival retraction
• Cosmetic dentistry and teeth whitening
• Removal prosthodontics
• Dental cements, bases, liners and bonding agents
• Restorative materials, dental dam, matrix and wedge
• Laboratory materials and techniques
• Dental office management
• Employment strategies
This educational program is an introductory course designed to help students gain knowledge necessary for the vocational application of this subject. Completion of this program does not fulfill the legal requirements of particular state licenses or certifications, which may require additional training or apprenticeships.
We take great pride in providing you with the most up-to-date course textbooks and equipment. One or more of the above-mentioned subjects may, therefore, change if updating becomes necessary during the course of your studies. The order in which the course material is presented may vary.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2021 Edition
