Dental Assistant
Learn more about our one-year Dental Assistant certificate program. Learn how to perform procedures, process radiographs and more! Immediately sit for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examination to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
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Apply for Clinicals
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What does a dental assistant do?
A dental assistant performs various tasks. They:
- Assist the dentist with a variety of treatment procedures
- Take dental radiographs
- Develop infection control protocol and prepare and sterilize instruments and equipment
- Help patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment
- Provide patients with instructions following dental procedures
- Teach patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies (tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling)
- Take impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth)
- Schedule appointments, answer the telephone, order supplies and billing
What are the additional expenses of the program?
Download Estimated Expenses (pdf) for a list of estimated expenses.
What degree will I earn? Will I be eligible for credentials?
Upon successful completion you will:
- Receive a certificate of completion
- Immediately sit for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examination to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
What are the required courses and what is the suggested schedule? How long does the program take to complete? Where are the clinical classes held?
- Download the Required Courses listing. It includes a sample schedule (pdf).
- The complete program is available only at the Harrisburg Campus. HACC offers other required courses at other campuses and sites.
Is the program accredited?
The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
800-621-8099 or 312-440-4653
http://www.ada.org/en/coda
Can I advance my education in this field?
This program leads directly to an occupation.
- You will be eligible to continue for Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA).
- You may earn 30 credits towards an Associate Degree in Health Science if you:
- earn national CDA certification
- are working as in the dental assisting field
What is the most current program effectiveness data?
- Updated March 2, 2017
- Five-year program completion rate —86%
- Program performance on national board exams (five-year data 2011-16):
- Radiation Health Safety —97%
- Infection Control —83%
- General Chairside Assisting —97%
- 2016 national board exam data
- Radiation Health Safety - 95%
- Infection Control - 100%
- General Chairside - 100%
How can I get more information?
- View a dental assisting career information (ADA website).
- Visit Careeronestop for salary and job outlook stats, career video and licensing requirements.
- View the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Who can I contact for more information?
Please contact an Admissions Counselor, by phone at 800-ABC-HACC, or by email at start@hacc.edu
Dental Assisting Program Contact Information
Select Medical Health Education Pavilion (SMHEP), Room 114
HACC - Harrisburg Campus
One HACC Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-780-2490
