Dental Assisting Professional Certificate

The Allied Dental Education Programs at NHTI, Concord's Community College are the only programs in the state that educate dental hygienists and dental assistants. Currently there is a significant shortage of both dental professionals nationwide as well as in New Hampshire. The programs strive to help meet some of this instate need. Both the eleven-month professional certificate program in dental assisting and the two/three year Associate in Science degree, major in Dental Hygiene, offer the student an excellent opportunity to become involved in a health care profession and a become member of the dental team. Those people who are interested in helping others improve the status of their oral and overall health, enjoy working with people, and have an aptitude for science courses, make excellent candidates for these programs.

The graduate dental assistant is the health professional who works closely with the dentist to provide quality dental services and promote good oral health. In addition, the qualified assistant can provide intra oral functions such as dental radiographs and dental sealants. The curriculum includes courses in general education as well as dental assisting courses. Theoretical courses are enhanced by laboratory experiences, and students perfect their technical skills working in a variety of actual dental offices, including specialty practices.

Prior to the start of the clinical dental courses, students are required to have on file in the Health Services Office (603)271-7153 documentation of: current medical insurance; a complete physical examination; current immunizations; current CPR certification for one and two person adult, infant, and child. Professional liability insurance is arranged by the College and will automatically be charged to the student's account.

Facts About Our Dental Assisting Program

• Accredited by the American Dental Association
• Established in 1971
• High success rate in the national certification exams
• Excellent reputation in the dental community
• Low Faculty/student ratios in clinics
• Modern, state of the art equipment

Information about transferring to other institutions

Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Mission, Goals & Competencies (PDF or contact (603) 271-7150.)

Specific Admission Requirements

Preference will be given to applicants whose applications are complete and received by the NHTI Admissions Office no later than January 30, 2009 for Fall 2009 admission (with the exception of the interview).

1. A course in high school science (biology or chemistry), or the equivalent, must have been completed with a minimum grade of “C”;
2. An informational group interview with the Dental Admissions Committee is required;
3. Observe professional practices in a dental office for a period of not less than twenty (20) hours; please submit the completed Observation Form to the NHTI Admissions Office no later than January 30, 2009; the form is available in PDF or call the Admissions Office at 603-271-7134.

Health, Character and Technical Standards
Technical standards have been established as a guidance tool for use in realistically informing the student of minimum standards needed to satisfactorily function in the program and ultimately in the profession. Applicants who feel they may not be able to meet one or more of the technical standards listed below should contact the program officials to discuss individual cases. The program officials will seriously consider all academically qualified candidates providing that the technical standards can be met with reasonable accommodations.

The college must ensure that patients/clients are not placed in jeopardy by students during learning experiences. Therefore, students in practica, service learning and clinical experiences must demonstrate sufficient emotional stability to withstand the stresses, uncertainties, and changing circumstances that characterize patient/client care responsibilities. Furthermore, the student is expected to have the emotional stability required to exercise sound judgment, accept direction and guidance from a supervisor or faculty member and establish rapport and maintain sensitive interpersonal relationships with employees, customers and/or patients/clients and their families.

Applicants must be in good physical and mental health in order to qualify for the program to include:

1. Sitting at chairside for a sustained length of time with frequent reaching and turning;
2. Manual dexterity to safely perform intraoral instrumentation;
3. Sufficient hearing to assess patient needs;
4. Sufficient eyesight to observe patients, operate dental equipment, including x-ray machines; visual acuity (correctable) to work with small measurements in preparing and manipulating dental materials.

Use of Computers in the Allied Dental Education Programs
Allied Dental Education students will be using computers throughout their programs. Faculty will be instructing them in the application of dental software, as well as the use of conventional software to generate papers, do oral presentations and spreadsheets. To make this process easier for students, it is strongly recommended that they have a good working knowledge of computers before entering the program. Computer literacy courses, such as IS 166, are available through the college.

# major field courses.
* If not taken in Spring Semester

Please note: All students enrolled in a clinical course will be charged a $350/per semester clinical surcharge. The following courses carry this charge: DN 191 and DN 196.

CL - Number of lecture/classroom hours per week for the course
LAB - Number of simulation laboratory, laboratory or clinical hours per week for the course
CR - Number of credit hours for the course

Revised July 18, 2008