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Dental Assisting

A Dental Assisting students work in the lab at the Springfield-Clark Career Tech Center.
Dental assisting students practice their skills in the program lab.

Basic dental assisting skills are taught that will enable students to enter the workforce or continue their education after graduation.

The demand for health-related services continues to rise rapidly, especially in this fast-growing field. Prepare for a successful career in the Dental Assisting program. The sky is the limit. Complete this program and prepare to choose one of these career options: secure a full-time, well-paying job or continue your education and become an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant, a Dental Hygienist, or even a Dentist.

Experience & Skills You'll Learn

  • Infection control procedures
  • Digital x-rays
  • 3D scanning
  • Intraoral camera
  • Entry level chair-side assisting skills
  • Entry level dental laboratory procedures
  • Entry level business administration

Certifications & Credentials You Can Earn

  • Ohio State Dental Board - Dental Assistant Radiographer's Certificate
  • American Medical Technologists (AMT) - Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
  • CPR for Healthcare Providers Certification

Career Opportunities in Dental Assisting

The basic training offered at the CTC will enable a student to gain an entry-level position as a chair-side assistant, office receptionist, or laboratory assistant. Most laboratory technicians will require additional training either on-the-job or at a formal training institute. Students who complete this program will have the opportunity to earn their Dental Radiographer’s License. Many students choose to continue their education at a two or four-year university, community college, or technical institute. After graduation, students can pursue the Expanded Function Dental Assistant certification and /or the Dental Assisting National Board Exam.

Entry-level Careers

  • Certified Dental Assistant
  • Chairside Dental Assistant
  • Dental Assistant Radiographer
  • Dental Business Office Assistant
  • Dental College Dental Assistant
  • Dental Infection Control Technician
  • Dental Insurance Claims Processor
  • Dental Laboratory Technician
  • Dental Sales Representative
  • Hospital Dental Clinic Assistant
  • Oral Surgery Assistant
  • Orthodontic Dental Assistant

Technical Careers

  • Coronal Polishing Specialist
  • Credentialing Representative
  • DANB Certified Dental Assistant
  • Dental Assisting Instructor
  • Dental Equipment Sales
  • Dental Finance Coordinator
  • Dental Insurance Claims Representative
  • Dental Payroll Administrator
  • Dental Sealant Specialist
  • Dental Software Sales/Trainer
  • Dental Office OSHA Manager
  • Expanded Function Dental Assistant

Professional Careers

  • Dental Laboratory Owner
  • Endodontist
  • Forensic Odontologist
  • General Dentist
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
  • Oral Pathologist
  • Orthodontist
  • Pedodontist/Pediatric Dentist
  • Periodontist
  • Professor of Dentistry or Dental Hygiene
  • Prosthodontist
  • Registered Dental Hygienist

Academic & Career-Tech Course Pathway

PATHWAYS 11th Grade Regular 11th Grade Advanced 12th Grade Regular 12th Grade Advanced
English English 11 CCP English 1111 English 12 CCP English 1112
Math MMR Algebra 2, Precalculus Mathematics in Health Sciences Precalculus, CCP Math
Science Microbes & Infection Control Chemistry Environmental, Geology N/A
Social Studies

Government, World History

Advanced Government N/A N/A
Elective Student Leadership Psychology, College Ready, Career & Leadership Ready Financial Literacy, Business Foundations/Marketing Any science elective, Spanish 1-3
CTE Courses Dental Tech (CTAG), Oral Diagnosis/Treatment Dental Radiography, Dental Office Tech

Students in the this career-tech program will spend half of their day in their program lab and the other half in academics.

CTC offers a variety of courses from in-person to virtual. For full course descriptions visit SCCTC.org/Courses.

This is the recommended course pathway for students in Dental Assisting.

College Credits & Scholarships

College Credits

There are 3 ways to earn college credits while you attend CTC! 

  1.  College Credit Plus
  2. CTAG 
  3. Articulated Credits

For more information on earning college credits click here.

College Scholarships

$3,000 scholarships are available from Clark State College and Sinclair Community College to qualified students.

Student Life at CTC

Dental Assisting News

Dental Assisting Program Leadership