Studying at the Santa Clarita School of Dental Assisting
Are you thinking about enrolling in a dental assisting program in the Santa Clarita area? Luckily, there are a few options for you to consider. One of these options is the Santa Clarita School of Dental Assisting. Below, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about the program to help you decide if enrolling is right for you.
The Program
The city of Santa Clarita is found to the north of Los Angeles. The program can be compared to those offered by The Valley School of Dental Assisting and the Los Angeles School of Dental Assisting here.
The program itself lasts for 12 weeks, with classes held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Students must have either a GED or a High School Diploma to enroll and provide proof of immunization against Hepatitis B.
The program requires students to pass eight quizzes, one lab/written midterm, and one lab/written final exam. Once completed, students need to have an average score of at least 75% to pass the program. An internship in a working dental office is also strongly encouraged and should be about 40 hours.
Coursework
The Santa Clarita School of Dental Assisting has four main pillars to its program. Here’s some information about them below.
- Dental Assisting: Since the creators of this program are dentists themselves, they know what potential employers look for in a candidate. They ensure that all students will be ready for an entry-level position in a dental office. The program has students learn the basics of dental assisting, including sterilizing instruments, assisting the doctor, and working knowledge of how an office runs.
- Fissure and Pit Sealants: Upon completing the program, all students will know how to apply sealants. This critical technique helps to prevent bacteria from causing tooth decay.
- Coronal Polishing: Students will also learn how to operate a rotary instrument to polish and remove plaque buildup on teeth.
- California State Radiation Certification: Dental x-rays are also essential for this position, so students will train in radiology to receive certification in California.
What Else Does the Program Offer?
There are also some great bonuses students can get from this program. An optional CPR certificate is offered, which may help during the job hunting process. Hands-on learning is also a priority, and students will be able to benefit from both one-on-one instruction and experience in an actual dentist’s office.
Finally, instructors will help graduates find both internships and job placements once the program is complete.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of benefits to enrolling in the Santa Clarita School of Dental Assisting. The course is compact yet thorough, and you’ll be able to have several professional certifications upon completion. However, if you’d like to apply, you better do it quickly. Due to small class sizes, spots are limited, and classes fill up fast.