Dental Assisting Technology Department

• Recruit, retain, and graduate Native American students
• Prepare students to become Certified Dental Assistants
• Educate students who are prepared to address dental health concerns in Native American communities
• Prepare graduates to be an asset to and compliment the dental health team.
• Encourage students and graduates to be involved citizens within the dental communities in which they live

The Department uses a direct method of assessment through testing and through both clinical and laboratory competencies. Competencies include preparation of professional resumes and mock interviews. The department utilizes graduate surveys, student course evaluations, and dentist evaluations of students during their 300-hour externship training as indirect evaluation methods. Most surveys indicate a high rate of satisfaction with both the program and with student performance in clinical procedures.

Faculty has analyzed the pass, fail, and withdraw data along with surveys to determine our success in preparing students for the profession. Over the past year we have recognized that entry level students may need more one on one instruction and so have reorganized the clinical experience to insure that this will happen. More team teaching will begin this fall quarter and will be implemented in two of the entry level courses so students have a variety of faculty experiences, and faculty continue to be cognizant of the information that is continually being updated in the curriculum.

The dental assisting technology program prepares students for entry-level work in the dental profession.  Students who graduate from this program may gain employment as general chairside dental assistants, dental hygiene assistants, or as dental assistants in specialty offices.  Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examination to become a Certified Dental Assistant.

• Maintain proper infection and hazardous control protocol in the dental healthcare setting
• Perform four-handed dental assisting duties in a safe and ethical manner
• Assist with intra and extraoral examinations, identify and apply concepts of dental terminology, and accurately record patient data
• Identify and apply the concepts of dental ethics and professional communication in relation to the dental team and patients
• Have the knowledge to schedule patients for various treatments, maintain a recall system, order and maintain supplies, complete patient insurance forms, make financial arrangements, and utilize basic dental software
• Perform dental laboratory procedures.
• Become advocates and promote healthy lifestyles to reduce health disparities in oral health within Native American communities

The dental assisting technology program prepares students for entry-level work in the dental profession.  Students who graduate from this program may gain employment as general chairside dental assistants, dental hygiene assistants, or as dental assistants in specialty offices.  Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examination to become a Certified Dental Assistant.

• Current CPR certification (may be taken during the first quarter of study)
• Spring quarter will be extended to accommodate completion of all clinical externship (DATD 140) hours.
• Perspective students should not have severe mobility or visual impairments and must be able to lift at least 30 pounds. Note: Individuals with concerns in this area should contact the program directors upon application.
• Students must demonstrate emotional and mental maturity/health for work in a clinical setting.
• Some externship or employment sites may require a federal background check and drug test prior to hire. Note: Individuals with a history of criminal convictions (whether felony or misdemeanor) and with concerns in this area should contact the program directors.
• Graduates who apply to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam are required to answer background information questions. Individual cases are reviewed by DANB.

Median Wage (MT)* - $37,220 yearly
Median Wage (US)* - $39,660 yearly

Annual Job Openings (MT)* - 192
Expected Growth (MT)* - 11.9%

Current Number of Dental Assistants Employed (MT) - 1,424
Expected Growth (US)* - 8.4%

*Montana Career Information System