Dental Assistant, Clinical
Total 750 hrs.
Program Training Plan
The Clinical Dental Assistant Program consists of two parts:
Part 1, DENTAL ASSISTANT CLASS and LAB TRAINING (450 hours)
The Clinical Dental Assistant Program trains students in all aspects of chair-side assisting including: obtaining and updating patient dental records, sterilizing and disinfecting instruments and equipment, laboratory procedures, preparing materials for impressions and restorations, processing dental x-rays, reception work and billing tasks. Assistants make patients comfortable in the dental chair and prepare them for treatment. During dental procedures, assistants work alongside the dentist to provide assistance. They hand instruments and materials to dentists and keep patients’ mouths dry and clear by using suction hoses or other devices. This is a great introduction to the dental field for students interested in becoming dentists, hygienists, lab technicians, and specialty assistants.
Externship Training
Part 2, Clinical Dental Assistant Externship Training (300 hours)
During this part of the program, the student works on-site at a dental office, where the student observes and assists, the dentist in daily tasks. This gives the student hands-on training in the dental field as a dental assistant. Students will be responsible to arrange their own externship site, in coordination with the instructor. During the externship, students are expected to have at least 15 hours per week at the externship site.
Program Overview
| Locations | Spanish Fork American Fork Thanksgiving Point Wasatch / Heber City |
| Tuition | $2.00/per hour |
| High School Cost | Free Tuition + $430 Fees = $430.00 |
| Adult Cost | $1,500 Tuition + $430 Fees = $1,930.00 |
| Extra Supply Cost | Students will be required to purchase scrubs, a dental kit, training modules, textbooks, workbooks, and complete the required health shots |
| Avg. Starting Wage | $28,330 Yearly ($13.62 /hr.) |
| Certifications | MATC Certificate of Proficiency (COP) in Clinical Dental Assistant; Industry Certifications: • CPR/First Aid Certification • OSHA Certification • Dental Radiology Certification |
Program dates, times, tuition and fees are subject to change.
(High school students qualify for free tuition only until they or their class graduates high school)
Training Materials Cost:
Hib Shots are based on the Utah Health Department approximate rate and may vary depending on purchase location.
Student will be required to attend a two day convention event and will be responsible for their own transportation and accommodations.
Textbook / Classroom Materials: $270.00
Dental Kit: $52.00
TB Test: $5.00 (at MATC)
Hib Shots: $40.00 ea. (there are three)
2 Pairs of Clinical Scrubs: $40.00
Convention Event: est. $20.00
Estimated total: $497.00
Program Length
750 Hour Program • 9 - 11 Months (2 semester + Externship)Course Prerequisites
• Due to the competitive demand among students in the region for the Dental Assistant Program, the MATC allocates a specific number of enrollment slots to each high school in the region. Each high school has the responsibility to choose the number of students in order to fill the slots given to them for the MATC Dental Assistant Program. Therefore, high school students will need to meet with their high school counselor to learn more about the process to be selected for the dental assistant program. High schools may vary on their own selection method ranging from GPA, essays, SEOP, career goals, while others are on a first come first serve bases.
• As part of the admission process, students may be required to complete a basic assessment of reading and math skills. The test is free and takes approximately 2 hr. to complete. For additional information, call the Testing Center at: (801) 753-4110.
2013 Fall and 2014 Spring Dental Assistant Sessions Schedule
| Campus | Completion Time | Days | Time |
| American Fork | Aug. 21, 2013 -- May 23, 2014 | Mon. - Fri. | 7:30am - 10:30am OR 11:30am - 2:30pm |
| Spanish Fork | Aug. 21, 2013 -- May 23, 2014 | Mon. - Fri. | 7:30am - 10:30am OR 11:45am - 2:45pm |
| Thanksgiving Point | Aug. 21, 2013 -- May 23, 2014 | Mon. - Fri. | 7:30am - 10:30am OR 11:30am - 2:30pm |
| Wasatch / Heber City | Aug. 21, 2013 -- May 23, 2014 | Mon - Fri | Mon: 7:15 - 10:15am & Tue. -- Fri.: 7:30 - 10:30am |
Note: MATC certification is not granted upon class time completion only. Students must also complete all externship training to receive MATC Certification of Proficiency. If a high school student does not finish externship hours prior to graduation, tuition will be charged for the remaining hours.
THE DENTAL ASSISTANT PROFESSION:
Dental assistants have many tasks, ranging from patient care to record keeping. Assistants do lab tasks, such as making casts of a patient’s teeth, and work under the direction of a dentist. They prepare the materials for procedures like: casting teeth or creating temporary crowns. Dental Assistants may also be able to do tasks such as coronal polishing, sealant application, fluoride application, and topical anesthetics applications. Not all states allow dental assistants to do these tasks. Each state regulates the scope of practice for dental assistants and may require them to take specific exams or meet other requirements before allowing them to do these procedures.
Please see our Refund Policy.
