Admission Requirements
See the Dental Assisting Certificate information for admission requirements.
- view Certificate Information
Membership Requirements
Students are required to maintain student membership in the professional organization for dental assistants, The American Dental Assistants’ Association (ADAA), 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1730, Chicago, Illinois, 60601-2211, phone number 312-541-1550 or 877-874-3785, fax 312-541-1496, web address dentalassistant.org, as part of the program requirements.
Course of Studies
Dental Assisting is a one-year hands-on certificate. The Certificate Program provides the student with opportunities to acquire knowledge in the area of dental terminology, dental materials, radiography, and chairside assisting. Courses also include infection control, instrument sterilization and disinfection. Classroom sessions are complemented by planned practical experiences in the On-campus and off-site dental clinic and dental offices. Students should be aware that fine motor skills and dexterity to manipulate dental materials and instruments in the oral cavity are required to pass required competencies.
Clinical Experiences
Owens Community College has a 21 chair Dental Hygiene Clinic. There is a clinical affiliation with the Dental Center of Northwest Ohio located on 2138 Madison Avenue, Toledo, Ohio and 1800 North Blanchard, Suite 122, Findlay, Ohio. Dental Assisting students will work in a dental office and a specialty office as part of the Dental Assisting Practicum. Students will assist Dental Hygiene and EFDA students in the Dental Clinic. The Dental Center of Northwest Ohio is also a clinical affiliate. Students will work in a dental office and specialty practice during the Practicum.
Health Requirements
Students are required to have a physical exam, including an eye exam, before starting the Fall Semester. Lab exams are required and include: CBC, Urinalysis, RPR/VDRL, Mumps Titer, 2-Step PPD, Diphtheria Toxoid & Tetanus Toxoid, MMR vaccination record or Rubella Titer, Hepatitis B (3part series). Health Requirements must be completed before Fall Semester.
Technical Standards
Review the following standards to examine your ability and compatibility with the physical activity and demands, professional and clinical condition requirements of dental hygienists. Sample tasks and skills are listed below with normal time frames.
- view Technical Standards Chart
Work Environment
The dental health care worker provides services in an environment that includes blood and saliva. Diseases may be encountered in this type of environment. However, research shows that risks are negligible when appropriate infection control procedure/barrier techniques are used. Upon entering the program, there is in-depth training to meet the protocol for a hazard-free, safe learning environment. Students are required to complete Health Requirements and have CPR certification before entrance into the program.
Certification
A student completing the Dental Assisting Certificate will be eligible to take the Ohio Dental Assisting Certification Exam which will also enable the student to be a Dental Radiographer. The Ohio State Dental Board (OSDB) has restrictions on granting licensure to individuals who have prior felony convictions or mental incompetence. Check the OSDB website for further information.
Employment Opportunities
Dental assistants prepare and sterilize instruments, develop infection control protocols, take and develop dental radiographs and take impressions of teeth for models. Duties may also involve working in a front-office, managing supplies, scheduling appointments, taking medical histories and instructing patients about proper post-procedural oral care.
The dental assisting certificate is designed to prepare graduates for positions in:
- private dental offices
- hospitals
- federal, state and municipal health departments
- correctional institutions
- private and public health centers
- the armed forces
This certificate is approved by the Ohio Board of Regents and Financial Aid Eligible.
Entry level dental assistants, working full time can expect to earn $12.70 - $16.30 per hour or $26,416 - $35,791 per year.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for dental assistants will grow by 25 percent between 2012 and 2022.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Owens Community College maintains an Office of Student Financial Services on each campus. The Office of Student Financial Services is the place for you to ask questions related to financial aid. Contact: 1-800-GO OWENS ext. 2387 or 567-661-2387 email: studentfinancial@owens.edu
Scholarships are available through:
The American Dental Hygiene Association
The Ohio Dental Hygienists’ Association
The Toledo Dental Hygienists’ Association (contact the Program Chair 567-661-7290)
The American Dental Association
The Ohio Dental Association
The Toledo Dental Society (contact them at 419-474-8611)
The American Dental Education Association
Associate Degree Options
Students earning a certificate can take Arts and Science courses to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. Meet with an Advisor or the Department Chair for more information.
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