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Dental Assistant Program

ALTIERUS CAREER COLLEGE IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS OR ENROLLING NEW STUDENTS. CLASSES WILL CONTINUE FOR CURRENT STUDENTS, AND THE CAMPUS WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT RESOURCES AND CAREER SERVICES THROUGH GRADUATION AND FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THEREAFTER. FORMER STUDENTS MAY REQUEST TRANSCRIPTS ABOVE AND REACH OUT TO THEIR CAMPUS FOR ONGOING CAREER ASSISTANCE.

The ECMC Group Board of Directors, representing the parent organization of Altierus Career College, has made the decision to teach out the three remaining Altierus Career College (ACC) campuses. A teach out means that we will provide the education and support services for our current students and gradually wind down the school’s operations. New students will no longer be accepted. We will continue to provide career services for a period beyond the teach-out to ensure that the program is as successful as possible for students. Altierus Career College will engage in an orderly closure, with campuses remaining open until all current students that are following their academic plans graduate or an acceptable completion plan is identified for remaining degree students

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On campus 1 day per week

To help balance life and school, you’ll take most of your courses at home through virtual instruction and come to campus for labs once a week.

9 Months
Diploma

Licensure Preparation

Career Summary

As a dental assistant, you’ll have the chance to put patients at ease and bring out their confidence by giving them a healthy smile. You’ll be responsible for essential tasks such as patient care, taking X-rays, recordkeeping, and scheduling appointments. Want to learn more about this career? Check out these frequently asked questions about dental assisting careers.

2020 annual national salary for jobs in this occupation*

$41,180

Median Salary

Lowest 10%: $28,940 or less

2020-30 projected growth*

36,900

New Jobs

+11% Growth

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm (visited September 8, 2021).

Program Highlights

This program covers preventive dentistry, nutrition, dental health, restorative dentistry, dental sciences, dental radiography, and dental specialties such as endodontics, periodontics, pedodontics, prosthodontics, and oral surgery. As a student, you will prepare for relevant credentialing where applicable.

The hands-on training you’ll receive at Altierus equips you to work a recognized dental assistant.

  • 9-month diploma program
  • 1 day per week on campus + online coursework
  • 54 credits
  • 320 classroom hours + 320 lab hours
  • 200-hour externship

You’ll get the feel of what it’s like to work in a real dental office as you practice hands-on training for a career as a dental assistant. Train with modern tools and technology in a lab that simulates working in a functioning dental office and clinic.

Lab equipment includes professional tools such as:

  • Digital x-ray machines
  • Autoclaves
  • Dental typodont kit
  • Dental vacuum forming machine

Course software includes:

  • Dentrix Ascend

Paying for school shouldn’t be an obstacle to achieving your career goals. At Altierus, you’ll have access to a range of financial aid options from Federal loans and grants to other unique programs of our own. For example, the Altierus Student Grant is a multimillion-dollar institutional grant program awarded to students of Altierus schools — owned by ECMC Education — who demonstrate financial need.

All-inclusive tuition—before qualifying financial aid—for the Dental Assistant program is $15,822, which includes a laptop you can keep, professional gear, eBooks, certification fees, and more. The vast majority of our students qualify for financial aid, which can significantly defray tuition. Qualification depends on each individual’s unique circumstances.

Our financial aid specialists can help you navigate the entire financial aid process and help with the following information:

  • Answers to your federal student loan questions
  • Information on scholarships and grants
  • Clear explanations of all your federal student loan repayment options
  • Information on how to reduce or postpone your monthly payment
  • Information on your loan servicer

This and other financial aid is available for those who qualify. Give us a call to see what your financial aid options are and we can help you get started (888) 223-8556.

Click Here to Explore Our Lab

Swipe Video to Explore Our Lab

Step into our lab and have a look around. This 360-degree video allows you to see what it’s like to train in a modern environment set up like a real dental clinic. Click and drag your mouse around the screen to change your view.

Flexible Blended Learning to Help Balance Life and School

This program features a blend of online and on-campus learning. This is to help make going to school work with your busy schedule. Typically, you will spend 1 day on campus per week, where you can practice hands-on skills and ask your instructor questions. Complete the rest of your coursework online at home, at your own pace, and on your own time.

All-Inclusive Tuition Has You Covered

As a dental assisting student, you’ll receive a laptop to help you with online coursework, which is yours to keep after graduating. All-inclusive tuition covers your books, backpack, school scrubs, and dental typodont kit—a working model of the jaw and teeth you’ll use to learn about dental procedures and treatments.

Professional Skills Development

Your coursework integrates professional skills development into this program so you’ll have the soft skills employers look for. You’ll gain proficiency in communication, interpersonal skills, self-management, emotional intelligence, and career-building competencies. We’ll also help you prepare for credentials if required by your state, which can help you stand out in your job search.

Available at:

What You'll Learn

  • Process exposed radiographs
  • Create impressions and construct study casts and construct master casts
  • Support dental procedures and aid patients
  • Perform CPR and handle office emergencies

Sample Courses

  • Preventive Dentistry, Nutrition, Periodontics and Pedodontics
  • Restorative Dentistry
  • Dental Sciences, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Pharmacology
  • Prosthodontics and Dental Materials
  • Anatomy, Endodontics and Orthodontics
  • Dental Radiography

This module covers the specialty area of periodontics with an emphasis in preventive dentistry and nutrition. Diet and nutrition will be discussed highlighting on how it is related to dental caries and periodontal disease with attention to patient education.

This module introduces you to chair-side assisting duties and techniques practiced in general dentistry with emphasis on four-handed dentistry during restorative procedures. You’ll practice required skills such as dental dam placement, placement, wedging and removal of Tofflemire retainers.

In this module the area of the dental sciences, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery as a specialty and dental pharmacology are studied. Theory and common clinical procedures of the specialty in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery are presented and demonstrated on dental manikins.

This module covers the specialty area of prosthodontics in conjunction with dental materials. Prosthodontics will focus on fixed and removable prosthodontics including dental implants and latest advances in technology related to prosthodontics such as CAD/CAM.

In this module the body systems, head and neck anatomy, physiology and the dental specialties of Endodontics and Orthodontics are studied. The dental specialties of Endodontics and Orthodontics and their scope of practice and educational levels will be introduced.

This course is designed to introduce you to the basic anatomy of the head and teeth in order to be familiarized with the anatomical structures involved in taking successful radiographs. Radiation protection and the hazards of x-ray radiation are covered.

Dental Assistant Students Get Hands-On Training at Altierus

Important Consumer Information and Disclosures

GA - Atlanta

For information on graduation rates, the median debt of students who complete this program and more, please view the Atlanta Program Disclosures.

For important information about this program, please visit our website at www.altierus.edu/disclosures.

Please note that programs, program lengths, and program schedules vary by campus.

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