Dental Assisting

The CEI Dental program provides the training necessary to become an integral part of the dental profession. The curriculum follows the Idaho State Board of Dentistry guidelines. Dental Assistants perform everything from front office responsibilities to chairside tasks and laboratory procedures.

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Placement

82.34% - (Average placement for graduates over the past five years.)

Summary

You will learn front office and clinical duties including, scheduling patients, patient recall systems, filing, insurance procedures, ordering supplies, infection control, sterile techniques, CPR, first aid, mixing impressions and cements, charting, radiology, sealants, coronal polishing, temporary crowns, and assisting the dentist. This program also offers you hands-on experience, supervised externships in area dental offices.

Want to work in another state?

Find out if your license will transfer.

Professional Licensure

This program might be right for you if you are:

  • Self-motivated
  • A critical thinker
  • A good listener
  • Are able to stay on task
  • Detail Oriented
  • Able to handle stress
  • Able to stay calm under pressure
  • Coordinated
  • Trustworthy
  • Capable of working with people
  • Flexible
  • Able to handle change
  • A team player

You should have:

  • People skills
  • Soft skills
  • Oral and speech comprehension
  • Conflict resolution skills
  • Time management skills
  • Have eye and hand coordination
  • Ability to deal with difficult situations

What do our student learn?

  • Assist dentist with a variety of treatment procedures
  • Take and develop dental x-rays
  • Teach patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies
  • Take impressions of patients' teeth for study models
  • Provide direct patient care
  • Serve as an infection control officer and develop infection control protocol
  • Prepare and sterilize equipment
  • Record patient's medical history and vitals

Why CEI's Dental Assisting Program?

  • Affordable
  • Work with local dentists
  • Practice in a live dental clinic
  • 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio
  • 6 weeks in clinical setting
  • Health Care Provider CPR and First Aid certified
  • State of Idaho Expanded Functions and Duties certified

How Long Will It Take?

  • Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC) – 12 months total:
    • 2 full-time semesters in the professional program
    • 1 summer for clinical

Where Are Our Graduates Working?

  • Pediatric dental office
  • Denture clinics
  • Orthodontics offices
  • Large and small dentist offices
  • Oral surgeons
  • Periodontics
  • Endodontics
  • Dental Laboratories

How Much Do Our Graduates Make?

Over the last five years our graduates started out averaging $19,760 to $29,120*
(Based on a 2080-hour work year, wage information is given within the first year of employment)


Additional Information & Forms

Admissions
(208) 524-3000 ext. 4