The Lifelong Learning Center
310 South Curtis Street
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 549-8765
Chairside Dental Assistant Program
The dental assistant program emphasizes the necessary skills for you to function as an important member of the dental care team under the direction and supervision of a Licensed Dental Assistant or a Dentist. Students are given opportunities to develop a variety of skills in the classroom and classroom lab environment. 
What are the duties of a Dental Assistant?
Dental Assistants are part of the team that assists dentists during dental exams and treatments. Working chair-side during examinations and treatments, the Dental Assistant hands instruments and materials to the dentist and dries the patient’smouth with suction equipment. The assistant may also perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties.
The following are the most common tasks a Dental Assistant may do:
- Prepares patient for treatment and examination
- Selects and hands instruments to the dentist during dental procedures
- Sterilizes and disinfects instruments
- Sets up instrument trays
- Operates suction equipment in the patient’s mouth
- Applies fluoride coating to teeth
- Pours, trims, and polishes casts
- Assists with charting, records medical and dental histories, and takes vital signs
- Examines orthodontic appliances
- Schedules appointments, prepares bills, and receives payment for dental services
- Assistant may also mix filling compounds, take impressions of teeth, and provide patients with postoperative instructions
- Exposes dental diagnostic X rays– after completing State sponsored examination requirements
What qualities and abilities are necessary for a Dental Assistant to be successful?
- Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping the hand and arm steady while making an arm movement or while holding the arm and hand in one position.
- Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
- Active Listening - Listening to what other people are saying in quiet or hushed tones, asking questions as appropriate.
- Near Vision - The ability to see details of objects at a close range (within a few feet of the observer); ability to see slight differences in objects, shapes, and pictures.
- Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly make precise adjustments in moving the controls of a machine or vehicle to exact positions.
- Finger Dexterity - Making precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
- Time Management - Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
- Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
- Computers - Knowing how to use a variety of software packages.
Certification
Upon conclusion of the Dental Assistant program you will receive a certification of competency and a Healthcare CPR certification. Information regarding State testing requirements will be provided during the program, but is not part of the program.
What can I expect to be paid?
Wages vary widely depending on experience, education, ability, and type of employer. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, dental assistants in Montana earn between $9.00 and $15.00 per hour.
Length of Program
The Dental Assistant program consists of 84 hours of classroom instruction including Healthcare CPR Certification.
What is the job outlook?
The following information is from the occupational projections provided by Montana Department of Labor Division. The number of Dental Assistants is expected to increase from 997 in 2002 to 1,333 by 2012, a 33.70 percent increase.
Registration for the Dental Assistant Program can be done in person, by mail, or fax. The required documentation must be submitted at the time of registration.
Cost of Program
Cost associated with the Dental Assistant program follows:
• Tuition Approximately $230
• Supplies may be required for purchase
• Texts required and available for purchase in the Adult Education Bookstore. Visa & MasterCard accepted.
Registration Requirements:
• Copy of test results from the Test of Adult Basic Education (T.A.B.E.) taken within the last 6 months. The fee is $10 for administration of the test, call 542-4015 to schedule the test.
• Payment of Tuition is due at the time of registration.
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