Berks Technical Institute offers a dental assistant program that gives students the information, skills and training needed for entry-level careers in the dental field. Students take basic courses in dental assisting fundamentals, administrative procedures, dental lab procedures, dental radiography and sciences, operatory dentistry and specialties. During the program, students receive classroom instruction and hands-on training. Graduates receive a diploma after completing the course, which includes 102 credit hours of classes and a 300-hour externship. Students are then eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board's Certified Dental Assistant Exam. Berks graduates are trained to work in a variety of positions including dental lab tech, dental insurance clerk and dental supply sales.
Berks Technical Institute
2250 Ridgewood Rd.
Wyomissing, PA 19610
866-591-8384
berkstech.com
Bradford School in Pittsburgh has a 16-month associate degree program for dental assisting. Instruction focuses on procedural competencies, functions of a dental office and how to work with patients. Bradford School has a simulated dental clinic for students to get hands-on training. Classes include chair-side assisting, dental materials and how to take and develop radiographs. Students will also get instruction in expanded dental functions such as placing and removing rubber dams and how to position, condense and finish composite restorations. Part of the curriculum includes two externships. Bradford graduates work in private dentist offices, dental clinics and hospitals.
Bradford School
125 Station Square Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
800-391-6710
bradfordpittsburgh.edu
CHI Institute offers a Dental Assistant Diploma program that is structured to give students information and skills necessary for this line of work. The program includes classroom instruction, laboratory hands-on training and experience through an externship. Coursework covers topics such as chair-side assisting techniques, how to use dental instruments and how to take dental X-rays and impressions. Classes include anatomy and physiology related to dentistry, preventive care, oral hygiene and how to use resin, cement and other dental restorative materials. Graduates prepare to take the national and Pennsylvania board radiologic certification tests. The CHI Institute dental assistant program takes 12 months to complete.
CHI Institute
1991 Sproul Road,
Suite 42
Broomall, PA 19008-3516
800-989-1014
chitraining.com