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BACK TO PROGRAMSSmile Big with An Education in Dental Assisting!
Unlock your potential in dentistry with the CEI Dental Assisting program. Aligned with Idaho State Board of Dentistry standards, our curriculum covers a wide spectrum of skills, from front office management to chairside procedures. Delve into hands-on learning encompassing patient care, infection control, radiology, and beyond. Through supervised externships and clinic opportunities, you'll gain real-world experience, paving the way for a rewarding career as a dental assistant.
Why CEI's Dental Assisting Program?
- High quality, affordable education
- High job placement rates – 82% 5-year average
- Work alongside local dentists
- Hands on training
- 8 weeks CEI clinic experience
- 8 weeks internship in local dental offices
- Expanded functions training
- 16:1 student-to-teacher ratio
Key Skills Developed:
You will learn front office and clinical duties, including scheduling patients, patient recall systems, filing, insurance procedures, ordering supplies, infection control, sterile techniques, CPR, first aid, mixing impressions and cements, charting, radiology, sealants, coronal polishing, temporary crowns, and assisting the dentist. This program also offers you hands-on experience in the clinic and supervised externships in area dental offices.
- Assisting dentists chairside
- Providing direct patient care
- Administering front office tasks
- Digital imaging and x-rays
- Educating patients in appropriate oral hygiene, flossing, brushing
- Collecting dental impressions
- Serving as an infection control officer and developing infection control protocols
- Preparing and sterilizing equipment
- Recording patient medical histories and vitals
Program Length
- Earn an Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC) in two full-time semesters (9 months).
Desired Personal Qualities
- People skills
- Oral and written comprehension
- Conflict resolution skills
- Time management skills
- Hand-eye coordination
- Ability to deal with difficult situations
Application Process
We are excited to assist you with your application and journey to becoming a Dental Assistant! All applicants must complete the following steps to be considered for the Dental Assisting program:
- Complete the general CEI Registration process
- Submit a Dental Assisting program application
Dental Assisting applications are open year round. Submit by July 1st to start the following fall semester.
Important Program Dates
Application Deadline: July 1st
Post-acceptance paperwork: August 1st
New Student Orientation (mandatory):
Second Friday of July
9:00-10:00AM Bldg. 6 Room #131
Additional Program Requirements
After admittance into the Dental Assisting program, the following documentation will be due August 1st. We encourage all applicants to work on the documentation and immunizations as soon as possible or prior to applying.
- PreCheck Background Check
- Dated after January 1of application year
- Background Check Instructions
- Clinic Observation Form
- Dental Clinic Observation Form
- Immunizations
- Hep B (3 shots) or positive/reactive titer (Series started by August 1st)
- MMR (2 shots) or positive/reactive titers
- Tdap (1 shot) – Expires 10 years from the date received
- Varicella (2 shots) or positive/reactive titer
- Flu Shot – Due October 1st for current flu season
Immunizations must be on the IRIS report. You can obtain the report from Eastern Idaho Public Health Department. You may be charged a $10 fee to add immunizations to your record or update it.
- TB skin test
- PPD skin test dates on or after January 1st of application year
Where Are Our Graduates Working?
- General dentistry
- Pediatric dentistry
- Denture clinics
- Orthodontics
- Oral surgery
- Periodontics
- Endodontics
- Dental laboratories
How Much Do Our Graduates Make?
Over the last five years, our graduates started out averaging $19,760 to $29,120*
(Based on a 2080-hour work year, wage information is given within the first year of employment)
Placement
- 82.34% - (Average placement for graduates over the past five years.)
Fall Semester/Session - 16 (Weeks)
| Course Prefix & Number | Course Title | Credits | Technical or Transfer Credit |
| DTL #121 | Orientation to Dental Assisting/Office Management | 2 | Technical |
| DTL #124 | Basic Dental Sciences/Medical Situations | 3 | Technical |
| DTL #125 | Dental Operatory Procedures | 3 | Technical |
| DTL #126 | Dental Radiology | 3 | Technical |
| DTL #129 | Dental Biology | 2 | Technical |
| OR | |||
| MICR #111-1L | Intro to Microbiology and Lab (Take this course if you plan to go on to Dental Hygiene) | 4 | Transfer |
| ENGL #101 | English Composition | 3 | Transfer |
| TOTAL | 16-18 |
Spring Semester/Session - 16 (Weeks)
| Course Prefix & Number | Course Title | Credits | Technical or Transfer Credit |
| DTL #127 | Dental Clinic (Block A) | 2 | Technical |
| DTL #128 | Dental Specialties | 3 | Technical |
| DTL #131 | Dental Lab Materials/Expanded Functions | 3 | Technical |
| DTL #132 | Supervised Work Experience (Block B) | 5 | Technical |
| PSYC #101 | Intro to Psychology | 3 | Transfer |
| TOTAL | 16 |
| Summary ( 32 Weeks) | |
| Technical Credits | 26-24 |
| Transfer Credits | 6-10 |
| Grand Total | 32-34 |
Testing
NOCTI
NOCTI provides nationally recognized post-secondary occupational competency assessments. Upon successful completion of the Dental Assisting program, CEI dental assisting students will be required to sit for the NOCTI dental assisting competency assessment test. The fee for the test will be the student’s responsibility.
Certifications
- Dental Assisting - Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC)
- BLS Basic Life Support
- First Aide
Additional Information & Forms
Health Sciences
Rebecca Killion
Senior Coordinator, Health Sciences Division