Dental Assistant

  

Class Information

Registration Opens June 24, 2024

Choose an exciting and challenging career in Dental Assisting. Through a competency-based learning approach, you will gain essential skills to enter the Dental Assistant profession and prepare to sit for the American Medical Technologist (AMT) Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification exam (must have a high school diploma or GED for this certification exam). Unlike the apprenticeship program in Dental Assistant, this course is designed for in-person students at our Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene campuses with little to no background working in a dental practice. This program includes in-class material, online study, lab presentations and practice, concluding with a 50-hour externship at a local dental clinic. Visit www.nic.edu/da for more information regarding this rewarding career.

Prerequisites

There are no mandatory prerequisites.

You are encouraged to complete at least 2 hours of observation at a local dental clinic before the start of class. If you need help finding a clinic, please call the Workforce Training Center's Health Careers Team at (208) 769-3497. Documentation of your attending an observation before the start of class can be emailed to wtc_healthcareers@nic.edu.

To sit for the American Medical Technologist (AMT) Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification exam, you must have a high school diploma or GED.

Location

This course is for in-person students at our Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene campuses who have little to no background working in a dental practice. Geared for students who live in the Greater Coeur d'Alene metro area and can attend class in person, there are limited seats available.
 

Class Notes

• Class number one on August 8 is a required orientation.
• The last day to withdraw for a full refund is August 14.
• Limited seats are available.
• If students have a personal laptop, students are asked to bring it to class. Otherwise, computer access will be provided.
• Gray scrub top and pants will be required by the second day of class. You can purchase your scrubs anywhere; these may be purchased at Walmart or an online vendor of your choice.
• A lab coat will be furnished.
• A drug screen and criminal background check will be provided in the first week of class. Students must demonstrate clearance to remain in class.
• 100% class attendance is required to obtain the required skills necessary to safely practice and receive a certificate.
• CPR training and other specialty courses will be provided as a part of this program.
• Certification exam is included with registration.

Externship Preparation

Students will participate in a 50-hour externship with a local dental office. The externship schedule will be based on availability and will vary from the class schedule. Externship sites and all information on the externship will be provided in class.

• Health Screen Documentation required for externship rotation (also discussed in class):
  • MMR vaccination (2 doses) or Titer
  • Varicella vaccination, Titer, or History
  • Hepatitis B vaccination
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap) vaccination
  • Influenza Vaccination in season
  • TB test within 12 months

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For more information on payment options and/or funding assistance, visit www.nic.edu/wtcpaymentoptions or contact Customer Service at (208) 769-3214.