Rocky Mountain Dental Assisting Institute in nearby Broomfield offers a 12-week program that covers various topics in dental assisting, including oral health, disease prevention, radiology and composites. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. The lectures are held every Saturday and the lab is open on Wednesdays. Students complete the course with an 80-hour externship at a dental office. Upon graduation, each student earns a Certificate of Dental Assisting, as well as dental radiology and CPR certifications.
The University of Colorado Denver School of Dentistry is about 25 miles outside of Boulder. The highly competitive dental school is accredited by the American Dental Association, and only accepts about 300 students per year out of thousands that apply. The Doctor of Dental Surgery program is comprised of four years of study that covers human anatomy, tooth restoration, orthodontics, oral radiology, infection and pain control, and clinical oral maxillofacial surgery.
Front Range Community College offers a certificate in dental assisting. The Front Range Dental Clinic is fully staffed by dentists and provides clinical experience and an internship. Courses cover dental science, dental radiology, medical emergencies and dental office management. The school is accredited by the American Dental Association. The program prepares students to take the Dental Assisting National Board Examination, for which they are eligible upon completing of the course.
Dental Assistant Training Academy (DATA) is in nearby Niwot, Colo. DATA prides itself on being the only school in Colorado that allows students to work side by side with a licensed, practicing dentist. The 10-week program offers small classes, which are offered evenings and weekends. The course includes CPR training. Students keep the dental supplies and custom bleach tray sets they used in the lab after graduation.