Prepare for a Rewarding Career in a Dental Office

Train for a career as a Dental Assistant in this course series. Successful program completion qualifies the student to challenge the Radiation Health and Safety Exam (RHS) to become certified as a Dental Radiation Technologist.

Dental assistants work with dentists and dental hygienists to provide care to patients. Working as a dental assistant, you would prepare patients for dental cleanings and treatments and help during procedures by handing tools to the dentist or using suction to dry the patient’s mouth.

You may perform dental x-rays and other lab tests, such as taking impressions of a patient’s teeth.

Dental assistants also schedule appointments, manage dental records, and work with patients on billing and payment. You will need strong communication skills and enjoy working with people as part of a team.

 

Dental assistants also schedule appointments, manage dental records, and work with patients on billing and payment. You will need strong communication skills and enjoy working with people as part of a team.

4
Months to Complete
$2,075
Course Fee
$$$
Funding Options Available

This program is for students who want to train as a dental assistant. If you are interested in working as a dental hygienist, you may want to consider the credit dental hygienist program.

  • Earn a Certificate of Completion for Basic Dental Assistant & Oral Radiography
  • Fall cohort (September) will run at both the Wye Mills and Cambridge campuses
  • Basic Dental Classes will typically run on Saturdays at both campuses
    • Cambridge classes will be required to visit the Wye Mills Campus for certain labs and for the Oral Radiography portion of the course
  • Clinical and BLS portions of the class can vary on the day of the week
  • Winter/Spring cohorts will typically begin in March with the same type of scheduling listed for Fall

  • This program is for students who want to train as a dental assistant.
  • If you are interested in working as a dental hygienist, you may want to consider a credit dental hygienist program.
  • Successful program completion qualifies the student to challenge the Radiation Health and Safety Exam (RHS) to become certified as a Dental Radiation Technologist.

PREREQUISITES:

The Basic Dental Assisting course meets mostly on Saturdays, with a few sessions on weekdays. There is a clinical experience scheduled over 6 weekdays during business hours.

Course Sequence:

  • Basic Dental Assisting (CEX 292)
  • Oral Radiography Techniques (CEI 645)
  • Oral Radiography Clinical (CEI 700)
  • BLS Healthcare Provider CPR (CEX 711)
  • Dental Assistant Internship (CEI 654 )

GENERAL CHAIRSIDE EXPANDED FUNCTIONS

Dental assistants who are employed in a dental office prepare for the EFDA (Expanded Functions Dental Assistant) Exam. Students must have a working knowledge of basic oral anatomy, dental terminology and basic infection control. Radiation certification is preferred but not mandatory. Prior approval from program director required.
PREREQUISITES: Dental Assisting Program completion, Employer Recommendation, Verification Form
Course fee: $640 (Tuition: In-county $55, Out-of-county $60, Out-of-state $65)
Dates/Times: 5 Saturday Sessions 8:30 am – 7 pm

INFECTION CONTROL FOR THE DENTAL ASSISTANT

Infection Control and Occupational Health and Safety for Dental Assistants is a 15-hour lecture course designed to prepare practicing dental assistants to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board Infection Control Exam (ICE), one of three required examinations for nationally-recognized Certified Dental Assistant status.
PREREQUISITES: Dental Assisting Program completion, Employer Recommendation, Verification Form
Course fee: $375 (Tuition: In-county $20)
Days/Times: 5 Tuesday Sessions, 6-9 pm, Online

Cohorts for this program typically begin in September and March each year.

The Basic Dental Assisting classes are offered in both Wye Mills and Cambridge, and meet mostly on Saturdays—with a few sessions on weekdays. Clinical experiences (at Choptank Community Health’s Dental Clinic) are scheduled over 6 weekdays during regular business hours.

How to Enroll

Attend Orientation
In order to enroll in this program, students should first participate in a Health Career Orientation Session. View upcoming sessions below and click to register.

When selecting an orientation date, please choose the earliest one possible. It is important to start the process early as there are several steps to complete before being accepted into the program.

  • December 11 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

  • January 8, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am

  • February 12, 2025 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Complete Placement Testing

Email Admissions to request a Placement Testing Slip for Accuplacer: Reading Comprehension. Come to the Chesapeake College Testing Center to take the test. A minimum score of 250 is required to enroll in this program. To see if you qualify for an exemption, and find out more about the Accuplacer test, visit the webpage below.

Accuplacer Placement Testing
Complete Program Application
Download, print and complete the Program Application below. Mail your completed application with all required documentation to:

Noncredit Healthcare Programs
Chesapeake College
P.O. Box 8
Wye Mills, MD 21679

or Fax to (410) 827-5817

Dental Assistant Program Application
Approval to Enroll

Once you’ve completed the above steps, email us for approval to enroll. We’ll send you the appropriate registration form to get started.

Students will register for all courses in the program at the same time.

Email for Approval
Pay & Prep
Payment for this course is due at the time of registration. Explore Ways to Pay below for additional information. Deferred tuition payment plans are available to students whose bills exceed $500. Before the semester begins, buy your textbooks and other needed supplies, check out the location of your courses, and get ready for your first day of class.

Dr. Jean Carlson has been an instructor in the dental assisting program at Chesapeake College since 2009, and previously taught in a dental hygiene program in the 1970s. She is also a full-time practicing general dentist in Cambridge, MD, as well as a hospital dentist in the University of Maryland Medical System. Her passion in education has always been to help students become the best dental professionals they can possibly be, through education, skills, and professionalism.

Dr. Jean Carlson

Dr. Jean Carlson

Dental Assistant Program Instructor

equipped for the FUTURE

WAYS TO PAY

Convenient payment options for noncredit students.

At Chesapeake College, we offer several payment options to help you manage your tuition and fees in a way that best suits your financial situation. Whether you’re paying upfront, setting up a payment plan, or utilizing employer sponsorship, we’ve got you covered.

Apply for Scholarships

This program qualifies for an assortment of institutional scholarships, Workforce Investment Board funding, and Maryland Promise Scholarships, among others. Before registering for your course, make sure you have allowed ample time to apply for scholarships at the link below. 

Job growth for dental assistants in Maryland is expected to be faster than average for all occupations over the next decade. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of dental assistants in Maryland will grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030.

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