Dental Assisting

Dental Assisting Program

Midwestern Career College’s Dental Assisting program prepares individuals to work as Dental Assistants in Chicago, Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and the surrounding communities under the supervision of dentists and dental hygienists.

The program includes instruction in medical record-keeping, general office duties, reception and patient intake, scheduling, equipment maintenance and sterilization, basic radiography, pre- and post-operative patient care and instruction, chairside assisting, taking tooth and mouth impressions, and supervised practice.

Program Goals

The dental assisting program utilizes criteria based on clinical practices related to Certified Dental Assisting/Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

What Do Dental Assistants Do?

Duties include but are not limited to: dental charting, infection control, radiography, dental materials, restorative dentistry, endodontics, periodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatrics, prosthodontics, orthodontics, pharmacology and pain control, medical and dental emergencies, oral evacuation and instrument transfer, law and ethics, and dental office management.

The dental assistant may also be responsible for chairside instrumentation, equipment safety and reception activities.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• take dental radiographs (x-ray photographs);
• prepare patients and equipment for dental procedures;
• discharge office administrative functions and medical record-keeping;
• maintain equipment and sterilization;
• provide chairside assisting;
• take tooth and mouth impressions.

Certification:

MCC’s Dental Assisting program prepares students to sit for the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification.

Externship:

300 total hours of externship are included in the program.

Career Outlook:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (B.L.S.),  dental assistant employment is expected to grow by 11% from 2020–2030. The B.L.S. also has information on career outlook for dental assistants. Check out job listings in the Chicagoland area for medical assistants on Indeed, Career Builder, and Ziprecruiter.com.

Disclosures

• Consumer Information
• U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• The Occupational Information Network (O*NET)
• Tuition and Fees

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