Dental Assisting Certificate
Dental Assisting Certificate
Available at these Campuses: Bridgeview
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The demand for dental assistants is estimated to increase nearly 19% through 2026.* Dental health is critically important to everyone. Cavities, gum infections and other dental issues aren’t just painful and unattractive, but they can lead to other health problems, including heart disease. This is why dentistry is an important component of America’s health care industry.
With Northwestern College’s Dental Assisting certificate program, you will get the training on how to work within this high-demand field. Dental assistants work for private dental practices, dental clinics, or even for federal, state, or local government health agencies. This program is designed to be completed in one year.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Dental Assistants.Dental Assisting for Today and Tomorrow
If you enjoy working in an interesting, pleasant, people-oriented environments, have strong communication skills, enjoy working with your hands as well as your mind, then you may want to consider a career as a dental assistant. Dental assistants greatly increase the efficiency of the dentist in the delivery of quality oral health care and are valuable members of the dental care team. If you want a career with responsibility, dental assisting involves people contact, and with this personal interaction comes the personal satisfaction of knowing you’ve really helped someone by providing a valuable health service. The Dental Assistant Certificate program at Northwestern College can help you realize your dream of a fulfilling career.
The duties and responsibilities of a dental assistant usually involve a variety of office, patient care and laboratory duties. Some of the duties you may perform as a dental assistant are outlined by the American Dental Association (ADA).
Develop your Skills for Success
Northwestern College’s Dental Assisting certificate program provides a comprehensive and detailed healthcare education designed to put graduates on the front lines of health care. Job skills acquired through our courses include:
- Dental Health Maintenance
- Use of Dental Technology
- Infection Control
- Patient Services
- Creating a Safe, Effective Environment
- Bedside Manner
- Use of Medical Technologies
- Performing Diagnostic Procedures
Program Goals
At the successful completion of the program curriculum, students will be able to:
- Apply infection control and safety guidelines in the dental setting.
- Complete patient information on the dental record including medical and dental histories, vital signs and tooth charting annotations.
- Assist with or perform an extra/intraoral examination and record findings
- Expose, process and mount dental radiographs using both traditional and digital techniques.
- Perform dental laboratory procedures.
- Assist in managing medical emergencies.
- Model professional behaviors, ethics, and appearance.
- Effectively communicate with patients, family members and other members of the healthcare team.
- Exhibit professional conduct including reliability, responsibility, honesty and ethical behavior.
Course Information
As a Dental Assisting student, you will enjoy classes such as:
Chairside Dental Assisting I
Practical experience is given in chairside procedures of general dentistry Skills taught include working side-by-side with dentists to ensure procedures are performed smoothly, efficiently and comfortably, greeting patients, help patients get comfortable, ask about recent medical and dental health issues. Procedures for tooth restoration and cleaning are covered. Equipment use and care, saliva control, and instrument transfer between the dental assistant and the dentist.
Oral Anatomy
This course will cover the anatomy and structure of the head and neck, bones of the head, face, musculature, innervation, and the circulatory system. Instruction will include specific terms relative to general anatomy and physiology of the human body related to dentistry, including systems, planes, cavities, and basic units.
Accreditation and Certification
Northwestern College is approved for veterans training under the G.I. Bill for Veterans Educational Assistance.
Registered Dental Assisting Certification (AMT)
Students completing the Dental Assisting certificate program at Northwestern College are eligible to take the Registered Dental Assisting (RDA) certification exam offered by American Medical Technologists (AMT). The RDA(AMT) certification is designed to signify entry-level competence in basic dental assisting competencies.
Northwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 263-0456, www.hlcommission.org.
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Making College Affordable
At Northwestern College, we help our students understand their college costs and how to pay for them. We also, understand that applying for financial aid can seem a little confusing and overwhelming, and want to make the process of applying for financial aid as easy as possible. That’s why our Financial Assistance Representatives are available to meet with you to help you understand financial aid and help you navigate through the application process.
Northwestern College participates in several different types of financial aid programs to enable our Financial Assistant Department to offer you the best possible combination of aid awards. We participate in both the Federal Student Aid Programs and Illinois State MAP Program, along with other miscellaneous financial aid programs from various sources (including Veterans Programs).
Most of our students receive some form of financial assistance. We work hard to help you find the money you need to finance your education, guiding you through the financial aid process and helping you explore different financial aid options. Grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study will assist you in paying for a college education. Read on to learn more about these opportunities.
Remember, you can always contact the Financial Assistant Department at any time and speak with one of our Financial Assistance Representatives if you have any questions regarding the financial aid process. We look forward to helping you!
Grants
Grants are need-based awards funded by the federal or state government. Grants are funds that do not require repayment. Learn More
Loans
For many students and parents, loans represents an important resource to help finance educational expenses. Northwestern College participates in the federal student loan program which allows students and their parents to borrow money to help meet their educational costs. A loan is a borrowed money that is expected to be paid back with interest. When you take out a student loan, you are making a legal obligation to repay the loan, so carefully consider the amount you borrow. Be a responsible borrower and borrow only what you need. Learn More
Scholarships/Tuition Discounts
Northwestern College offers a variety of scholarships to students. The internal scholarships and tuition discounts that we offer are sums of money that do not require repayment. See which ones you qualify for.
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