Dental Assisting
The dental assistant's role is often thought to be to support the dental operator by typically passing instruments during clinical procedures. However, in fact, their role extends much further to include: providing patients help with their oral hygiene skills, preparing the patient for treatment, sterilizing instruments, assisting during general anesthetic dental procedures, positioning suction devices, exposing dental radiographs, taking dental impressions, recording patient notes and administration roles such as scheduling appointments. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be eligible to take the State of Texas Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam.
Registration and Program Requirements
1. Complete the Vernon College admission procedure. A student must be accepted by the College before being considered for the Dental Assisting program. Admission to the college does not guarantee enrollment in the program.
2. Apply for Financial Aid, if applicable.
3. Submit a Dental Assistant New Student packet to the program which include the following criteria:
a. Must be 18 years of age with a GED or high school diploma
b. Must have visual acuity with/without corrective lenses
c. Must have manual dexterity to use sterile techniques, prepare and transfer dental materials, and transfer instruments
d. Must be computer literate and communicate effectively in verbal and written form.
e. Must be able to stand for prolonged periods of time and maneuver in limited spaces.
f. Must have current CPR certification for healthcare providers
g. No criminal convictions or probation
h. Must have current vaccinations (MMR,TD, Varicella, Hepatitis B), and physical and dental examinations
i. Must take reading, writing and math portions of Accuplacer for benchmark assessment
j. Must sign all forms regarding confidentiality and general releases
4. Once all the forms have been submitted to the program and the student meets the requirements for the program, an interview will be scheduled with the program faculty.
5. After completion of packet and interview process, program faculty will make the final determination of students.