Dental Assistant Program

The dental assistant program at Saint Louis Community College – Forest Park 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 Saint Louis Community College – Forest Park is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation for more than 58 years.

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Saint Louis Community College – Forest Park

4588 Parkview Place, Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis Community College – Forest Park, located in Saint Louis, Missouri, was founded in 1967 and is also known as STLCC-Forest Park, or simply Forest Park. It is one of four schools that comprise the Saint Louis Community College System, and is one of the nine community colleges located in the Greater Saint Louis Area. The school serves over 8000 students annually, making it both the second largest community college in the STLCC system and the state. The school is accessible through public transportation, including two light rail stations and access through Interstate 64.

Academics

Saint Louis Community College – Forest Park offers a number of programs that assist in career development and academic transfer. Students may choose a program that best aides in the realization of one's goals. Career programs provide training and education in specific, high demand  fields. Such programs allow for the development of skills and abilities necessary to enter the workforce as a qualified professional. Students will participate in mix of traditional classroom education and practical experience building courses that allow students to utilize and perfect methods and techniques used within their field through controlled settings. Programs take between one and two years to complete, resulting in a certificate or associate degree that demonstrates competency to employers when seeking entry level positions.

Academic transfer is accomplished by enrolling in a program that fulfills the courses generally taken in first two years of a four year education, followed by applying to a college or university to continue their education by completing the final two years and earning a bachelor's degree. Students will have an easier time transferring to public schools in Missouri through preexisting transfer agreements, though it is possible to transfer credits to out of state or private institutions. Students should meet with an academic advisor to discuss transfer requirements and develop a curriculum that best meets the needs of the desired school or schools.

Programs offered include:

• Criminal Justice
• Business Administration
• Human Services
• Nursing
• Paralegal

Admissions and Financial Aid

Saint Louis Community College - Forest Park  is public, two year, an open enrollment institution that allows any individual wishing to enroll to do so by meeting the minimum admissions requirements, submitting a completed application, and paying all fees. Students should also supply transcripts and standardized test scores, which may be used to determine course level for general education registration in lieu of a placement exam. Students should also participate in new student orientation and meet with a counselor to discuss curriculum and program enrollment.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Aid is awarded based on need and program eligibility which is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which must be submitted prior to each academic year and is the primary source of information regarding a student's financial situation. Students may be chosen at random to supply additional information to be compared to their FAFSA in order to verify its accuracy. This is due to new federal regulations governing the disbursement of aid.

Students Enrolled in the Dental Assistant Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Saint Louis Community College – Forest Park offers a less than two-year award program in dental assistant.

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).