Dental Assisting

The Dental Assisting program at Grayson College offers two levels of Dental Assisting education: the Dental Assisting Certificate of Completion and the Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting.

The Dental Assisting program provides dental assisting curriculum in the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to function as dental assistant. In the classroom, students learn about dental sciences, dental materials, communication and behaviors in the dental office, chairside assisting, radiology, office management, dental specialties, and expanded functions in dental assisting.   Students acquire skills through laboratory practice, simulation, and clinical experience in dental offices. Students complete a minimum of 320 clinical hours.  All dental assisting courses must be taken in sequence.  Students must satisfactorily complete all the dental assisting courses in each semester concurrently in order to progress to the next semester of the program.   

Upon completion of the program students will have earned a Certificate of Completion or an Associates of Applied Science in Dental Assisting.  Students who earn a Certificate of Completion can enroll in additional core classes to complete an Associates of Applied Science in Dental Assisting.   Graduates of the program are eligible and will sit for the Registered Dental Assisting Licensing Exam (RDA), and are eligible to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board.   

Detailed information about the program is provided in an information packet, available by sending an email request to dental@grayson.edu or hancet@grayson.edu. The applicant should request the Dental Assisting Information Packet.  This packet will be sent to the applicant via email.  Completion of this information packet is required for all applicants to the program.  More information about applying to the program and the selection process can be found on the Future Students page.

Mission of the Dental Assisting Program is to:

• Provide quality education in the dental assisting profession and related courses through a framework of higher education.
• Provide curriculum that meets standards as set by the Commission on Dental Accreditation so that graduates may become gainfully employed.
• Produce educated graduates who are professional in their actions and appearance, and who will assume a professional position on a dental health care team.

Philosophy of the Dental Assisting Program

The Faculty of the Grayson College Dental Assisting Program believes in, and accepts, the underlying philosophy and objectives of the College and the Health Science Division.  We believe that the community college setting provides a suitable, and pleasant, environment for the basic education of the Dental Assistant.  Furthermore, it is also our belief that Grayson College provides an atmosphere in which the student can complement the technical knowledge obtained within the Dental Assisting Program through the study of other disciplines.

The Faculty accepts the principles that learning:

1. is influenced by the student’s inherent potential, past experiences, attitudes, values, and communication skills;
2. is more effective when the student accepts the major responsibility for learning;
3. is more effective when the student is actively involved;
4. is more effective in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust;
5. is enhanced by the reinforcement of satisfying experiences;
6. should be on a continuum to enhance the quality of life;
7. is an optimal experience when student(s) and Professor(s) share in the responsibility.

It is our belief that the Dental Assisting curriculum develops the required knowledge, technical competencies, and professional attitude for the graduate to attain a satisfying entry-level career in the field of Dental Assisting services.  We further believe that effective learning is increased with specific learning objectives and a diversity of learning experiences to achieve these objectives.

Furthermore, we believe the student should be permitted to progress at his/her rate while meeting required objectives for each semester.  We also believe that the individual student must accept responsibility for learning while the faculty acts as the facilitator in the learning process.

The Faculty believes that the Dental Assistant will remain, as an integral part of the dental health care team and, in reality, will become more important in dental health care delivery in the future.  The Dental Assisting graduate is prepared to assist in providing individualized dental care in a variety of dental settings.

Program Goals

1. One hundred percent (100%) of graduates will pass the Registered Dental Assisting License Exam (RDA) with a score of 70% or higher within two attempts.
2. Eighty-five percent (85%) of students will complete the Dental Assisting program within the stated length of time for the selected degree or certificate.
3. Eighty-five percent (85%) of graduates who are eligible for employment will be employed in the dental field or pursing additional education in the dental field within six months of graduation.
4. One hundred percent (100%) of graduates will complete the program with the knowledge and skills required to be employable in the dental assisting field.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Successfully complete the Dental Assisting clinical capstone course DNTA 2260.
2. Provide comprehensive dental assisting care to individuals from diverse socioeconomic, educational, cultural/ethnic backgrounds and age groups.
3. Perform chairside dental assisting procedures including, but not limited to, general dentistry, specialized procedures, and expanded functions legally delegated to dental assistants in the State of Texas.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of safe and effective patient care by adherence to proper procedures/protocols for infection control, safety, blood borne pathogens and emergency care.
5. Adhere to professional ethics, legal practices, HIPAA requirements, and rules and regulations set by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.
6. Communicate effectively with patients, families and dental professionals.
7. Obtain and record data as required for patient records, including historical, diagnostic treatment and post-treatment information.
8. Expose and mount diagnostic radiographs, utilizing both conventional and digital radiography while employing safety standards for patient and operator.
9. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the area of office management, filing, billing, and use of computer systems.

Program Accreditation

The Dental Assisting Program at Grayson College is approved by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) and accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

The program in dental assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation [and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval with reporting requirements”]. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. 

Contact information regarding program approval and accreditation is as follows:

http://www.ada.org/en/coda

Texas State Board of Dental Examiners

333 Guadalupe Street #3-800

Austin, Texas 78701

512.463.6400

www.tsbde.texas.gov