Dental Assistant Program

The dental assistant program at Ozarks Technical Community College prepares students for a career in a dental office, dental supply manufacturer, hospital dental department, or insurance company. The program focuses on preparing patients and equipment for dental procedures, and office administrative functions. Program courses include: medical record-keeping, general office duties, reception and patient intake, scheduling, equipment maintenance and sterilization, basic radiography, pre and post-operative patient care and instruction, chairside assisting, taking tooth and mouth impressions, and supervised practice. Get more details below including other Missouri colleges that offer dental assistant program.

The Dental Assistant program at Ozarks Technical Community College is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation since 1967.

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Ozarks Technical Community College

1978 Image Drive, Washington, MO

About
Ozarks Technical Community College, located in Springfield, Missouri, was founded in 1990 through a vote passed by the Springfield and surrounding school districts to form a technical community college for the region. The school is dedicated to providing developmental opportunities in the areas of culture, education and business for the community. The school encourages personal development and growth, and provides a variety of services to assist residents in meeting their goals. The school serves over 15,000 students a year and has maintained the steady expansion and refurbishment of facilities to meet their needs.

Academics
Ozarks Technical Community College offers a number of programs that provide career training opportunities. These programs take between one and two years to complete, resulting in either an associate degree or certificate. Credits earned from programs may also be utilized for transfer to other public schools in Missouri.

Career programs offer training in the skills and abilities necessary to perform as a professional within the workplace of a given field. Students will participate traditional classroom courses as well as practical experience building courses, though the frequency of such practical classes is dependant upon the student's chosen field. When a program is completed the student's degree or certificate will allow for the immediate pursuit of employment at the entry level, having demonstrated competency in the field through graduation. Most programs offered reflect community needs and as such the school provides job placement assistance to match a student to an employer.

Academic transfer programs allow students to complete the first two years of a four year education, followed by transfer to a four year institution with the intent to complete a bachelor's degree. Public schools within Missouri have agreements in place with the school to facilitate ease of transfer. Students may choose to apply to private or out of state schools though they should meet with an academic advisor to plan their transfer curriculum to best suit the school or school's desired.

Programs offered include:

• Nursing
• Accounting
• Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Dental Assisting
• Graphic Design

Admissions
As an open enrollment institution, any student who meets the minimum standards for admission will be able to enter Ozarks Technical Community College. Students should submit a completed application for admission, as well as transcripts from previous schools and standardized test scores. Students may be required to take a placement exam for general education courses. New students are encouraged to participate in orientation and meet with a counselor prior to registration to discuss career goals, program entry and curriculum. Registration takes place before the start of each semester with tuition due shortly thereafter.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the resulting student aid report (SAR) from which will be used to determine financial needs, aid program eligibility and monetary awards. Student are required to reapply for financial aid prior to the start of each academic year, and due to federal requirements students may be asked to provide additional financial documentation to ensure the SAR's accuracy prior to the disbursement of funds.

Clubs and Organizations
Ozark Technical Community College recognizes a number of clubs and organizations and encourages participation in one or more of them by students. Individuals will find that these organizations provide students with the opportunity to meet like minded individuals and socialize. Clubs and organizations typically focus on academic, cultural, social and extracurricular topics, allowing for educational discourse and participation in a variety of meetings, events and activities. Students who do not find a club that meets their interests may apply to the college to start their own.

Clubs and organizations at OTCC include:

• Equality
• Chess Club
• Phi Theta Kappa
• Student Nurse Asssociation
• PLANET

Students Enrolled in the Dental Assistant Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Ozarks Technical Community College has offered the following academic levels for students:

• Less Than Two-Year Award
• Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

Dental Assistants

Description

Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, dental assistants employment is expected to grow at a rate of 18.4% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• St. Louis, MO-IL
  • Total Employment: 2
  • Average Hourly Rate: $16.79
  • Average Annual Salary: $34920

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).