Check the Texas Dental Assistants Association's website, which offers a list of colleges in the state offering dental assistant programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Search for schools in your local area; phone numbers and email addresses of faculty are listed in case you have questions.
Review the program information. For example, the Lamar State College dental assisting program in the Orange area of Texas is accredited by the American Dental Association (the only one in Orange to have achieved this status) and the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Texas State Technical College in Harlingen was awarded accreditation by the American Dental Association Joint Commission on Accreditation.
Review the application requirements to ensure you qualify. Most programs require a high school diploma or GED. Other possible requirements include a criminal background check, drug screening, health immunizations and work history form. Many schools have a minimum age requirement of 18 years or older.
Take courses required for the degree. Students at Lamar State and other similar programs study course work in dental science, chairside assisting, dental radiology, preventive dentistry, dental office management, dental materials and dental assisting applications.
Apply to take the Certified Dental Assistant exam (see Resources), regulated by the Dental Assisting National Board. The exam covers three areas of dental assistant topics: radiation health and safety (100 multiple choice questions), infection control (100 multiple choice questions) and general chairside (120 multiple choice questions). Successful completion of each area of the exam results in a certificate of competency, good for one year.
Study and apply for any optional certifications which may help you distinguish yourself from other dental assistant applicants. For example, a "Coronal Polishing Certification Course for Dental Assistants" is a one-day class preparing students to identify, explain, demonstrate and discuss coronal polishing, tooth morphology, oral anatomy and infection control. To qualify for the program, dental assistants must have two years experience and valid CPR training. Another option mandated by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, is a one-day class on "Nitrous Oxide Monitoring for Dental Assistants and Dental Hygienists." Any student in a dental assistant program is eligible for the class; a minimum passing score of 70 percent is required for certification.
Join the American Dental Assistants Association, which offers a membership roster, continuing education opportunities, and an employment page, where you can search for jobs in the area of Texas you want to live or work.