• Medical Training Institute of New York

Dental Assistant

Dental Assistants, or Certified Dental Assistants, are responsible for providing hands-on support to Dentists and completing prep work so they can more efficiently care for patients. Their duties include completing intake paperwork and updating patient records, sterilizing and organizing dental tools and assisting during dental procedures

Overview

The Dental Assistant program at the Medical Training Institute of New York provides students with the technical and practical training necessary to work as a dentist's entry-level assistant. This course will introduce students to some of the essential skills of the Dental Assistant Profession.

The Dental Assistant will be responsible for general clinic administrative work and maintenance, as well as completing lab work under the direction of the dentist. The Dental Assistant’s primary responsibility is to prepare the examination rooms for appointments by sterilizing instruments and ensuring all necessary equipment is ready for the dentist. They also assist the dentist during their procedures by handing them instruments and anticipating their needs throughout the appointment. The Dental Assistant may also be responsible for greeting patients as they arrive, submitting billing details to the insurance company and scheduling the patient’s next appointment before they leave the clinic. Other duties and responsibilities include:

What Dental Assistants Do

Dental assistants have many tasks, including patient care, recordkeeping, and appointment scheduling. Their duties vary by state and by the dentists’ offices in which they work.

Dental assistants typically do the following:

  • Ensure that patients are comfortable in the dental chair
  • Prepare patients and the work area for treatments and procedures
  • Sterilize dental instruments
  • Hand instruments to dentists during procedures
  • Dry patients’ mouths using suction hoses and other equipment
  • Instruct patients in proper oral hygiene
  • Process x-rays and complete lab tasks under the direction of a dentist
  • Keep records of dental treatments
  • Schedule patient appointments
  • Work with patients on billing and payment

Dental assistants often spend much of their day working closely with patients and dentists. Dental assistants might take a patient’s medical history, blood pressure, and pulse before a procedure, explain what will be done, and talk to patients about oral care. They help dentists during an operation by passing instruments and holding equipment such as suction hoses, matrix bands, and dental curing lights. Other tasks include preparing the treatment room and ensuring sterile tools and equipment. Dental assistants also may document the procedure and schedule follow-up appointments.

Some dental assistants are trained to take x-rays of teeth and the surrounding areas. They place a protective apron over patients’ chest and lap, position the x-ray machine, place the x-ray sensor or film in patients’ mouths, and take the x-rays. Afterward, dental assistants ensure that the images are clear.

Assistants who perform lab tasks, such as taking impressions of a patient’s teeth, work under the direction of a dentist. They may prepare materials for dental impressions or temporary crowns.

Program Summary

Admission Requirement: GED/High School Diploma

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

twoman using computer
  • Introduction to Dentistry and Dental Assistant
  • Dental Terminology and Anatomy
  • Preventive Dentistry and Nutrition
  • Cavity Classification and Charting
  • Dental Law and Ethics
  • Dental Operator: Instrumentation, Moisture Control
  • Disease Transmission, Pathology, and Dental Emergencies
  • Infection Control
  • Sterilization procedures
  • OSHA Regulations
  • Radiology I & II
  • Radiography Technique
  • Pharmacology and Anesthesiology
  • Dental Materials, Part I &II
  • Communicating in the Dental Office
  • Business Administration for the Dental Assistant
  • Dental Specialties: Endodontics/Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry/ Orthodontics, Prosthodontics/Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

WHO WILL BENEFIT

nurse hat

Those Considering Dental School

If your goal is to become a Dentist, starting out as a Dental Assistant is a great opportunity to explore Dentistry. You'll get the chance to work alongside Dentist in a variety of healthcare settings, earning invaluable experience and skills along the way

doctor

Aspiring Medical Professionals

Working as a Dental Assistant gives many of us our first taste of working in the medical field. You might gain inspiration to continue that career path and get a more in-depth understanding of the medical world. It's okay to share this desire with your interviewer. It shows your dedication to the field and a willingness to learn

suitcase

Job Stability

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a clinical dental assistant is currently just under $38,000 per year.

Employment is projected to grow by 19% through 2026, which is considered much faster than average. Job demand for dental assistants is projected to grow 10% over the next decade.

Total Program Cost:

Program Dental Assistant
Hours 700
Registration Fee $100
Tuition $3,800
Technology Fees $400
Clinical & Lab Fee $650
Total Program Cost $4,950

Fees:

Registration Fee

A non-refundable Registration Fee of $100 was due during registration to reserve a seat.

woman registering using laptop

Clinical/Lab Fee

Clinical/Lab Fee is used to cover the cost of Liability insurance policy and student lab operations and to provide students with Liability Insurance at clinical rotation internship sites.

people doing lab work

Technology Fees:

Technology Fee provides students with Online Learning Resources, the learning management system, and the student portal.

nurse using computer

Books:

Students are required to purchase all textbooks on their own. Textbook costs are estimated at $700.00. Required books can be purchased from the school bookstore or online at portal.mtiofnewyork.com/stores

book and stethoscope

Uniform

Students are required to purchase MTI logo scrubs on their own. MTI logo scrubs can be purchased from the school bookstore or online at portal.mtiofnewyork.com/stores

health workers uniform

Tuition:

Dental Assistant Program is $993 for each of the program's three (3) quarters and a total of 4,950.00 for the entire program, with tuition payments due as follows:

students using laptops
Quarter Cost
Prior to Quarter 1 $2,475
Prior to Quarter 2 $2,275

Schedule of Sessions

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Morning Classes

The Morning program will be 5 hours per day, Monday-Wednesday.

16-25 hours per week for approximately 28-44 weeks.

6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Evening Classes

The Evening program will be 5 hours per day, 4 days per week,

for approximately 38 weeks.

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Weekend Classes

The Weekend program will be 8 hours per day, Saturdays and Sundays,

16 hours per week for approximately 44 weeks.