Contact schools that offer dental assistant programs that are accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. For example, call the Tennessee Technology Center at Knoxville or the Anderson County Dental Society.
Complete the admissions requirements to enter your registered dental assistant program in Knoxville. Submit a copy of your high school diploma or GED at the Tennessee Technology Center, and show proof of your immunization against measles, mumps and rubella. Also, take the Computer-adaptive Placement Assessment and Support Services test, or COMPASS test, which will test your math and reading skills before you enroll. If you have taken the American College Test, or ACT, submit these scores.
Take introductory classes on subjects such as anatomy/physiology, head/neck anatomy, dental morphology/histology and chair-side dental assisting, according to the Tennessee Technology Center. Also, study dental and medical terminology, infection control, dental sealants and the monitoring of nitrous oxide.
Study other Knoxville registered dental assistant courses including dental materials, pharmacology and radiology. Learn about the dental specialties in which you can work such as endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral pathology, orthodontics and oral surgery, according to the Tennessee Technology Center. Review information about how to handle medical emergencies, practice management, ethics, nutrition and psychology as well.
Complete a registered dental assistant clinical externship at a Knoxville dental office, which will last about three months, according to the Tennessee Technology Center. Obtain experience working at a general dentist's office as well as a specialty dentist's office of your choosing. Spend your externship months mastering skills such as taking impressions on patients' teeth, pouring up study models and transferring instruments to the dentist.