Dental Assisting

Curriculum Abbreviations

• 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

Full Time

Part Time

ADED 161CDental Materials – Dental Assisting¹233

¹Indicates major field courses.  

²All students enrolled in a clinical course will be charged a $500 per semester clinical surcharge. The following courses carry this charge: RDTH 190C, RDTH 195C, RDTH 290C, RDTH 293C and RDTH 295C.

The program has both a Part-time Option that starts in the Summer term only, and a Full-time Option that starts in the Fall term only. The deadline for Summer 2023 admission is January 6, 2023. The deadline for Fall 2023 admission is March 3, 2023.

Preference will be given to applicants whose applications are complete and received by the Admissions Office by the deadline. Applications received after the deadline will only be considered if space remains in the program after qualified candidates have been reviewed.

• A course in high school Biology or Chemistry with a C or higher
• An informational group interview with the Dental Admissions Committee; qualified candidates are contacted after the deadline to arrange interview
• Observation of professional practices in a dental office for a period of not less than 20 hours; students must submit the completed Dental Assisting Observation Form to the Admissions Office by the application deadline. The completed observation is valid for 2 years only. Current dental office employees are not required to complete the hours of observation but are required to complete and submit the observation form.
• See Health, Character, and Technical Standards for additional requirements.

Students who wish to enter this program and are currently enrolled in another NHTI program must complete and submit the Change of Program form to the Admissions Office prior to the application deadline. 

This program strives to provide a learning environment in which each dental assisting student is instilled with the knowledge, skills, and values to offer the most comprehensive educational, preventive, and therapeutic services reflecting the competencies vital to the profession of dental assisting. The program prepares students to provide patient care in a variety of clinical settings and to be active members of a dental healthcare team. Students who complete the Dental Assisting program will be able to:

• Perform basic chairside procedures in general or specialty practice.
• Perform basic clinical/laboratory support procedures.
• Practice universal precautions and safety standards consistent with OSHA and CDC guidelines.
• Perform emergency procedures.
• Provide oral health instruction.
• Perform basic business office procedures.
• Perform advanced intraoral functions that may be delegated to a dental assistant in the state of N.H.
• Exhibit professionalism and communicate effectively with patients and coworkers.

Student Outcomes

*First attempt pass rate

Dental assistants are in high demand in N.H., with great part– and full-time job opportunities. This program offers students the opportunity to become involved in a healthcare profession as a member of the dental team in private dental offices, public dental clinics, and institutions. NHTI graduates are qualified to take the Certification for Dental Assistants national exam. Compared to non-accredited programs in the state, our graduates are legal to take x-rays, place sealants, take impressions, remove sutures and place and remove periodontal packs, do coronal polishing, apply fluoride treatments, monitor nitrous oxide, expanded duties orthodontics, make provisional crowns, place and remove rubber dams, and apply desensitizing right after completion of the program. Graduates can also further their career in NHTI’s Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary certificate program.

The salary of a dental assistant depends on the responsibilities associated with the specific position and the geographic location of employment. Dental assistants earn salaries equal to other healthcare personnel with similar training and experience such as medical assistants, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapy assistants, veterinary technicians, and pharmacy assistants.

NHTI’s Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements.” The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312-440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The commission’s web address is http//www.ada.org/en/coda.

NHTI has developed practicum opportunities to foster hands-on-learning while receiving credit. Requirements are met by assisting in dental offices. Students in internship, externship, practicum, service learning, and clinical experience opportunities must demonstrate sufficient emotional stability to withstand the stresses that characterize the dental professionals’ responsibilities with patient/agency clients. They will exercise sound judgment, accept direction and guidance from a supervisor or faculty member, and establish rapport and maintain sensitive interpersonal relationships and confidentiality on all levels.

Students must be aware of the abilities and characteristics necessary to complete the Dental Assisting program. The program adheres to the NHTI Statement of Nondiscrimination. Reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities are made to the extent that there is no fundamental alteration to curriculum, course objectives, or health, character, and technical standards of the program. Failure to consistently exhibit the technical standards for a career in dental assisting may result in dismissal from the program. Individuals must be able to satisfactorily accomplish/possess the following:

• Intellectual abilities requiring reason, analysis, problem solving, critical thinking, and self-evaluation skills. Ability to learn, integrate, analyze, and synthesize data. Comprehension of 3D and spatial relationships is necessary. Consistent, accurate, and quick integration of information is required, especially in emergency situations.
• Somatic sensation and functional use of all senses. Students must be able to observe demonstrations, see fine detail, focus at several distances, and be able to discern variations in color, shape, and texture. They must possess sufficient hearing to assess patient needs and communicate effectively. They must have sufficient eyesight to observe patients, operate dental equipment, and work with small measurements and instruments in preparing and manipulating dental materials.
• Ability to sit for a sustained length of time with frequent reaching and turning.
• Sufficient fine and gross motor function to safely perform intraoral instrumentation and the manipulation of small objects, equipment, tools, and materials. Students must be able to perform functions such as basic life support, transfer and position of patients, and operation around the patient and dental chair. They must be able to operate both foot and hand controls.
• Effective communication with sufficient command of the English language to retrieve information from textbooks, lectures, exams, etc. and communicate in verbal, nonverbal, and written form.
• Emotional health required to exercise good judgment and complete all responsibilities. Professionalism, compassion, integrity, empathy, and respect for patients are all necessary. Students must be able to endure physically taxing workloads and function under stress. They must accept constructive criticism and respond appropriately by modifying behavior.

Students use computers throughout the program. Faculty instructs them in the application of dental software and use of conventional software to generate papers, oral presentations, and spreadsheets. It is strongly recommended students have a good working knowledge of computers before entering the program. Computer literacy courses, such as IST 102C, are available through the college.