Dental Assistant Program

The dental assistant program at Spokane 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 Washington colleges that offer dental assistant program.

The Dental Assistant program at Spokane Community College is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation for more than 60 years.

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Spokane Community College

2011 Mottman Rd SW, Olympia, WA

About
Spokane Community College, located in Spokane, Washington, was founded in 1963 and is one of three schools the comprise the Spokane Community College District. The school was founded to provide easy access to postsecondary education to one of the state's more populous cities. The school is a public, two year institution that maintains a high standard of education, constantly reviewing offerings, services and programs to ensure they meet student needs and demonstrate high quality.

Academics
Spokane Community College offers a variety of programs and courses that allow various forms of education, including transfer options and career training programs. Transfer programs allow students to complete the first two years of a four year education. Upon completion, students will apply for transfer to a four year institution to continue that education and once admitted, complete the final two years and earn a bachelor's degree. Transfer to public Washington institutions is made easier through agreements in place that ease the requirements for admission. Individuals wishing to apply to out of state or private institutions should speak with a counselor to formulate a curriculum that best meets the desired school's transfer requirements.

Career training programs allow students to obtain an education and develop the skills necessary to enter the workforce in a  given field or area as a qualified professional. These programs take between one and two years to complete and are often taught by professionals of the respective industry. Practical portions of the program take place in environments that emulate real world settings though under the safety and supervision of an experienced instructor. Upon completion students will receive a degree or certificate that demonstrates competency and assists in job placement.

Programs offered include:

• Business Administration
• Carpentry
• Nursing
• Paralegal
• Liberal Arts

Admissions and Financial Aid
Individuals interested in enrollment at Spokane Community College may complete the application for admission and pay all fees in order to enroll as per the school's open enrollment policy. Students should supply transcripts and standardized test scores if available and may be asked to take a placement exam prior to registration. Participation in new student orientation is encouraged, as is meeting with a counselor to discuss program enrollment and curriculum.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships. Students in need of financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information from which will be used by the school to determine need and aid program eligibility when constructing a financial aid packet. Aid must be reapplied for prior to each academic year in a timely fashion. Students may be chosen at random to provide additional financial information to be compared to the FAFSA in order to verify its accuracy as part of regulation governing the disbursement of aid funds.

Students Enrolled in the Dental Assistant Program

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

• Less Than One Year Certificate
• 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

• Olympia-Tumwater, WA
  • Total Employment: 440
  • Average Hourly Rate: $20.06
  • Average Annual Salary: $41720

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