Dental Assisting Technology

Dental Assisting Technology is a career for individuals who enjoy patient contact, flexible hours, and the security of employable skills. It is ideal for the high school graduate seeking a stable career, the parent looking for a profession to coordinate with family responsibilities, or the adult searching for a second career choice.

After twelve months of training, the Dental Assisting graduate is prepared to assist the dentist at chairside, perform minor lab procedures, expose and develop radiographs, manage the front office, plus a variety of other skills. Classes begin every August and January and all courses for the program are taught at the Nursing/Allied Health Center in Jackson, Miss.

This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611-25678, 312.440.2500, www.ada.org. 

Credentialing Information
Students who successfully complete the Dental Assisting program at Hinds Community College are eligible to sit for the national certification exam offered by the Dental Assisting National Board.

Employment Opportunities
Career opportunities are very broad and diverse for graduates for this program.  Though the majority of dental assistants are employed by general dentists, some graduates choose to work in one of the many dental specialties, such as pedodontics, orthodontics and oral surgery.  Most assistants work at chairside, although opportunities do exist for graduates to participate in front office procedures.  The demand for dental services will continue to grow in the future and therefore, the need for trained dental assistants will increase in order to meet that demand. 

Admission Information
It is the applicant's responsibility to provide the required data to the Office of Admissions, Hinds Community College at Nursing/Allied Health Center, 1750 Chadwick Drive, Jackson, MS  39204-3490.  Submitting the information to any other Hinds Community College location will delay the processing of your file.

• Application for Admission to Hinds Community College.

• Application for Selection to the Dental Assisting Technology Program.

• Validation of high school graduation by official high school transcript, GED equivalency transcript, or college transcript.

• Official transcripts from all colleges attended, except Hinds Community College.

• ACT score of 18 (15 if taken before October 1989).

• Schedule an informational session with a Dental Assisting Instructor.

Contact
Hinds Community College
Nursing/Allied Health Center
Dr. Richard Gavant, Chairman
601.376.4820

Dental Assisting Technology Program of Study
Core Performance Standards
Infection Control Policy and Procedures for the HCC Dental Assisting Program

Gainful Employment Information

Dental Assisting Technology Technical Certificate Program TC-DAT