Located in the southwest region of the Atlanta metropolitan area, Everest College is a career and trade-based college that offers a combination of diplomas and associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees. Everest College has a commitment to revitalize the Atlanta area by training its students with hands-on skills and experiences that are industry specific. Soft skills, such as a warm and energetic personality, are also a core part of the programs the college offers. Students can begin enrollment by filling out an application. No standardized tests or essays are required but you must have a GED or high school diploma to be eligible.
The dental assistant program at Atlanta West is designed to prepare you for a supportive role in a dentist's office. The hands-on program teaches you to perform chair-side assisting methods, patient procedures and related office and laboratory tasks under the direction and supervision of a licensed dentist. Your education will include basic knowledge of dental science so that you can competently understand and participate in the dentistry environment. The dental assistant program can be completed in as little as nine months and offers an associate level degree.
There are a host of varied duties and responsibilities you can expect to perform when working in a dental lab or office and Everest's program is designed to prepare you to do any one of those roles. Specifically, the dental assistant program focuses on skills such as preparing materials for use by the dentist, cleaning and sterilizing dental instruments, providing education to patients about good dental health and performing preventive procedures. The program also covers dental emergencies, radiography and orthodontics. All training is provided in a laboratory setting using major equipment such as amalgamators, dental units and chairs and X-ray units.
Approximately 150 miles east of Atlanta in Augusta lies the only school in Georgia that offers a traditional medical degree that puts you on the track to becoming a fully licensed dentist --- the Medical College of Georgia. Also known as Georgia Health Sciences University, the Medical College has a school of dentistry that is responsible for approximately one-third of the state's licensed dentists. Over 1,500 students have graduated from the school of dentistry in the past 30 years and the residency program enrolls 30 to 35 students annually.