Dental Assisting (Certified)

Dental Assisting

What’s Available?

Click the degree, certificate or award program to learn more:

• •  Dental Studies: Certified Dental Assisting, AAS
• •  Dental Studies: Certified Dental Assisting, CERT

Program Overview

Our Certified Dental Assisting certificate of proficiency program is a great first step in your career in dental health care. It will give you the knowledge and training you need to get started.

Come join our expert faculty and learn in our state-of-the-art facilities the basic level patient care, administrative duties, and laboratory functions.

We’ll also teach you how to assist a dentist engaged in performing general dentistry practices such as diagnostic, operative, preventive and other dental procedures. The time to become a certified dental assistant is now!

Why Certified Dental Assisting

• Median Pay: $35,980 per year
• Job Outlook: Expected to grow by 18% over the next 10 years
• Accreditation: Certified Dental Assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation

Certification

Graduates who successfully pass the Dental Assisting National Board are eligible to apply for licensure in the state where they plan to practice.

Essential Traits

In addition to the academic admission requirements for students entering the Certified Dental Assisting Program; the following essential functions are also expected of all students:

• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Students must possess strong intellectual, conceptual, and critical thinking abilities to analyze data, draw conclusions, and make informed clinical decisions. They should be adept at problem-solving and capable of obtaining, interpreting, and accurately documenting information.
• Communication Skills: Effective oral and written communication skills are essential for transmitting information accurately to dentists, patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals.
• Fine Motor Skills: Students should demonstrate fine motor skills adequate for lifting and operating equipment, ensuring safe and efficient dental assisting care.
• Interpersonal Skills: Students must exhibit strong interpersonal skills, enabling them to interact effectively with individuals, families, and groups from diverse social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Physical Mobility and Endurance: The ability to move comfortably in small spaces, with a full range of motion, manual dexterity, and endurance to sustain focus while sitting, standing, or moving for prolonged periods is required.
• Visual and Perceptual Abilities: Students should possess keen visual and perceptual abilities for observing patients, assessing oral conditions, and discerning subtle changes both clinically and radiographically. Hand-eye coordination is essential.
• Auditory and Sensory Skills: Students’ auditory and sensory skills must be adequate for monitoring and assessing patients’ health needs, determining oral conditions, and ensuring patient safety.
• Professionalism: Students are expected to demonstrate professional attitudes and behaviors, exercising sound judgment even under stressful conditions affecting patient care. This includes proficiency in the English language, the ability to critically evaluate performance, accept constructive criticism professionally, and take responsibility for improving performance.
• Teamwork and Independence: Students should be capable of working both independently and as part of a team, upholding the highest standards of quality care. They should present a professional appearance, maintain personal health, and exhibit emotional stability.
• Time and Patient Management: Demonstrating effective time and patient management skills is essential. This includes multitasking, prioritizing tasks, comprehending and following instructions, and adhering to clinical and professional regulations for safe practices. Additionally, students must be willing to drive to clinical sites outside of the Tyler area and have reliable transportation.

Accreditation

The Tyler Junior College Department of Dental Assisting is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation under the following status: “approval without reporting requirements”. The next site visit for the program is scheduled for 2024.

For students in this program who may have a criminal background, please be advised that the background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the department chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.

Dentists: Be a TJC Clinical Partner

Help ensure excellence in your community’s certified dental assistants!

Why partner with a TJC certified dental assistant?

As a TJC clinical partner, you help reinforce the skills that dental assisting students have acquired. In addition to exposing radiographs on patients and nitrous oxide monitoring, our students will be able to perform or assist with the following duties:

Your role in the partnership

The major portion of the student’s time in the partner office must be spent assisting with or participating in patient care. Once our student is oriented with your office, we encourage the dentist(s) to allow the student to assist with a variety of procedures. Remember, our students are still learning and you play a big role in contributing to their education!

Endorsements

“The students in the CDA program are well prepared to learn and perform in our office. My staff always looks forward to the spring and summer sessions when we have a TJC CDA program student in our office several days a week. I have hired multiple graduates of the CDA program.”

Dr. Paul Latta, DDS
Latta Family Dental

“Very positive experiences all around. Always pleasant, team oriented and well prepared for working in a busy office.”

Legacy Dental Group

“Helping teach the next generation of CDAs is gratifying because we get to return to the fresh perspective of one who has a thirst for clinical experience and knowledge.”

Dr. Travis Heaton, DDS
Heaton Dental

Learn more or get started now!

Your participation is critical to ensuring that our future need for dental assistants will be met throughout East Texas. If you’d like to take an active role, please contact Jenna Wallis at 903-510-2693 or by email jwal7@tjc.edu.