Dental Department

The Dental Assisting Technology program at SKC, initiated in 1990, is flexibly designed to meet the needs of non-traditional students. The DAT program trains students to become dental assisting professionals, to become involved citizens, and to be an asset to and compliment the dental health team.  Practical experience within the dental clinic as well as “externships” within the community, in private dental offices and tribal clinics are integrated within the curriculum.  The program may be completed in as little as 11 months or as long as 2 years. Students may enter the program at the beginning of fall, winter, spring, or summer quarters. Upon completion of the Certificate and/or degree, graduates are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board exam to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). 

Accreditation: The program in dental assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary education and by the United States Department of Labor.

Goals

The dental assistant will become proficient in all areas allowed and defined by the State of Montana Dental Practice Act.  Upon completion of the program the student should be able to:

• Assist chairside, utilizing instruments, equipment, and medications in all specialties of dentistry and to maintain proper asepsis.
• Comprehend dental terminology, record patient medical and dental history, and chart pertinent patient information.
• Identify and apply the concepts of dental ethics in relationship with the patient, dentist, and other auxiliaries of the dental team.
• Schedule patients for various treatments, maintain a recall system, order and maintain supplies, complete patient insurance forms, and make financial arrangements.
• Perform laboratory procedures associated with chairside assisting including study models, custom trays, temporary restorations, and manipulating a wide variety of dental materials and equipment.
• Expose, develop, mount and critique radiographs.
• Expose and critique digital radiographic images.