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Rochester Community and Technical College - Rochester, Minnesota

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Dental Assistant Program
Dental Assistant Highlights

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Thank you for your interest in the Dental Assistant Program at RCTC. Dental Assistant applications are accepted beginning September 1st each year until the program is filled.

Admission is based on the date that all supporting documentation is received in the Admissions and Records Office.

 

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

The Dental Assistant program is designed to provide the student with the technical knowledge, manual skills, clinical experiences, and positive attitude toward work Dental Assistingrequired to make the graduate a valuable member of the dental health care profession.  The student has the flexibility of completing the Dental Assistant Program in one year as a full-time student, or in two years as a part-time student. To aid the student in planning their year, the program director can provide the student with schedules that reflect the courses and hours for each semester of the program.

A variety of learning approaches are used in the Dental Assistant program. The curriculum spans three semesters, with the students Lab Workparticipating in lecture, lab and  clinical activities during the fall and spring semesters.Clinical experience is obtained in the technically current dental clinic that consists of twelve operatories, a recirculation/sterilization room, an x-ray darkroom, and a complete dental laboratory. In the spring semester, patients come to the dental clinic for the following dental services: tooth polishing, fluoride treatments, dental x-rays, pit and fissure sealants and personal oral care instruction. A dentist is on staff in the dental clinic to aid in the direct instruction and supervision of students.

In the summer semester, students continue their clinical experience by completing three assigned internships in different dental offices in southeastern Minnesota. This provides the student with excellent work experience as well as a means to market themselves as potential employees.

Students enhance their communication skills by presenting oral care presentations to community groups, such as pre-schools and elementary schools. An added benefit of this learning activity is the student's sense of "making a difference" through community service.

Dental Assisting students become members of the American Dental Assistant's Association. Benefits of membership include a subscription to the professional journal "The Dental Assistant"and opportunities to attend professional dental meetings at the local and state levels. The Dental Assisting class attends the Minnesota Star of The North Meeting (state dental convention) and/or a regional dental seminar as a class field trip. These professional activities help the dental  assisting student realize their importance as a member of the dental team.

 

 

 

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