Dental Assistant Program
The Dental Assistant Program at Newbridge College prepares students for an entry-level position as a Dental Assistant.
Program Length
- Day Classes: 36 weeks
- Evening Classes: 44 weeks
Program Admission Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent (GED) or 18 years old and successfully pass the Ability-to-Benefit examination administered by an Independent Test Administrator (ITA)
- Command of English language
Campuses Offering this Program
Program Course Description
This course focuses on teaching the skills needed to work in a dental office and become a successful Dental Assistant. Skills taught include dental anatomy and physiology, histology and tooth morphology, dental pharmacology, chair side assisting, dental specialties and restorative techniques, radiography, dental imaging, matrix and wedge, suture removal and ethical and legal consideration of dental assisting. Students learn dental front office skills including insurance billing, scheduling patients, and maintaining records and patient confidentiality.
Upon successful completion of the program, (including all academic, attendance, and financial requirements) students receive a Dental Assistant diploma. Graduation from this program does not automatically qualify all individuals for Dental Assistant licensing.
Topics Included in this Program:
- Dental Science
- Restorative Dentistry
- Radiography and Radiation Safety
- Dental Specialties
- Pharmacology/Medical Emergencies
- Preventative Dentistry
- Dental Administration
- Dental Law and Ergonomics
Externship Program
Upon completion of their academic requirements, students participate in a 6-8 week externship program with a health care employer, providing students with real-world hands-on work experience.
Occupation and Job Outlook
Job growth in the health care industry continues to expand to meet the needs of a growing and aging population in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assistants are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations over the 2008-18 projection period. Job prospects are expected to be excellent, and employment is expected to grow 36% through 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.*
Work Environment: Dental assistants work in a well-lighted, clean environment. Their work area is usually near the dental chair so that they can arrange instruments, materials, and medication and hand them to the dentist when needed. Dental assistants must wear gloves, masks, eyewear, and protective clothing to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases. Assistants also follow safety procedures to minimize the risks associated with the use of x-ray machines.
Almost half of dental assistants had a 35- to 40-hour workweek in 2008. More than one-third worked part time, or less than 35 hours per week, and many others have variable schedules. Depending on the hours of the dental office where they work, assistants may have to work on Saturdays or evenings. Some dental assistants hold multiple jobs by working at dental offices that are open on different days or by scheduling their work at a second office around the hours they work at their primary office.
Accreditation
Newbridge College San Diego East is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET), recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as "a reliable authority as to the quality of education or training provided by institutions of higher education and the programs they accredit."
Gainful Employment Program Disclosure
Final regulations published in the Federal Register on October 29, 2010, [75 FR 66665 and FR 66832], by the U.S. Department of Education, require institutions that participate in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (the HEA), to report certain information about students who enrolled in the Title IV-eligible educational programs that lead to gainful employment in a recognized occupation (GE Programs). Those regulations also provide that institutions must disclose to prospective students certain information about their GE programs.
Find out about our Medical Assistant Programs as well.
Recognized Occupations
The U.S. Department of Labor lists the following occupations as potential careers for students who complete these programs. For more information regarding Recognized Occupations and Standard Occupational Codes, please visit http://www.onetonline.org.
| Program | Standard Occupational Code (SOC) |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | 31-9091.00 - Dental Assistants 31-9099.00 - Healthcare Support Workers, All Other |
Students Completing Within Published Program Length - On Time Completion Rate
| Program | Campus (Year) | Number of Students Who Began Program1 | Students Available for Graduation2 | Graduates3 | On Time Completion Rate4 | Total Completion Rate5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | ||||||
| San Diego (2009) | 89 | 89 | 50 | 56% | 73% | |
| San Diego (2010) | 65 | 65 | 20 | 31% | 65% |
1Students beginning program who are scheduled to complete the program within the reporting calendar year.
2Students beginning program minus students unavailable for graduation (deceased, incarcerated, or called to active military duty).
3Students completing the program within 100% of the published program length.
4Graduates divided by the number of students available for graduation.
5Students completing the program on time, plus those completing within 150% of the published program length.
Placement Rates
| Program | Campus (Year) | Number of Graduates1 | Graduates Available for Employment2 | Graduates Employed in the Field3 | Placement Rate Employed in the Field4 | Graduates Employed in the Field an average of less than 32 hours5 | Graduates Employed in the Field at least 32 hours per week55 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | |||||||
| San Diego (2009) | 65 | 57 | 29 | 51% | N/A | N/A | |
| San Diego (2010) | 42 | 39 | 15 | 38% | N/A | N/A |
1Students completing the program within 100% of the published program length.
2Graduates minus the number of graduates unavailable for employment (graduates who, after graduation, are deceased, incarcerated, called to active military duty, international students who leave the U.S. or do not have a visa allowing employment in the U.S., or are continuing education in an accredited or BPPE-approved postsecondary institution.
3Graduates reporting that they are gainfully employed within six months of graduation in a position for which the skills obtained through the education and training provided by the institution are required or provided a significant advantage to the graduate in obtaining the position.
4Placement rate is calculated by dividing the number of graduates gainfully employed in the field by the number of graduates available for employment.
5This specific statistical information is not maintained by the institution.
Salary and Wage Information
Annual Salary and Wage Reported for Graduates Employed in the Field
| Program | Campus (Year) | Graduates Available for Employment1 | Graduates Employed in the Field2 | $15,000-$20,000 | $20,001-$25,000 | $25,001-$30,000 | $30,001-$35,000 | $35,001-$40,000 | $40,001+ | Students Not Reporting Salary3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | ||||||||||
| San Diego (2009) | 57 | 29 | - | 3 | - | - | - | - | 26 | |
| San Diego (2010) | 39 | 15 | 2 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 10 |
1Graduates minus the number of graduates unavailable for employment (graduates who, after graduation, are deceased, incarcerated, called to active military duty, international students who leave the U.S. or do not have a visa allowing employment in the U.S., or are continuing education in an accredited or BPPE-approved postsecondary institution.
2Graduates reporting that they are gainfully employed within six months of graduation in a position for which the skills obtained through the education and training provided by the institution are required or provided a significant advantage to the graduate in obtaining the position.
3Salary information is reported by the graduate; not all graduates reported salary information.
2011 Program Tuition Costs and Length
| Program | Campus | Program Cost* | Clock Hours | Credit Hours | Length (Weeks) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Class | Eve. Class | |||||
| Dental Assistant | San Diego | $16,090.00 | 800 | 53.33 | 36 | 44 |
* Program Cost includes tuition fee, registration fee, student recovery fund, books and supplies for each program.
Median Loan Debt Incurred by Students
| Program | Campus | Median Loan Debt |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | San Diego | $8,890 |
*Growth figures represent a ten-year period ending 2018. Source: "National Industry-Occupation Employment Matrix," a publication of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more information, please visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Also check out our Long Beach DMS Program.
