Dental Assisting - Certificate
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Interested students please contact
tena.phillips@chattanoogastate.edu
with date of information session you plan to attend.
The 3-semester certificate program provides a foundation in the health sciences along with extensive training in the technology necessary to perform those tasks delegated to dental assistants by the State Dental Practice Act. Clinical training experiences working with dentists and patients are provided in private offices of practicing dentist, at community health centers, and at the Dental Center on the Chattanooga State campus on Amnicola Highway. Students who successfully complete this program are eligible for Registration as a dental assistant in Tennessee with state certifications in Dental Radiology, Sealant Application, Monitoring Nitrous Oxide, and Coronal Polishing. Graduates are also eligible to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board Examination (DANB) Examination to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
The Dental Assisting program is a 1-year certificate program with an option to earn an Associate of Applied Science, which is designed to provide a career ladder for individuals who have graduated from or who are currently enrolled in an American Dental Association accredited dental assisting certificate program and seek to obtain an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program is designed to broaden the student’s education through the addition of a broad general education core and additional electives. There are two pathways by which students may meet the requirements of this degree. The traditional pathway, in which the student completes the 1-year certificate program and continues to take the additional courses required to complete the degree requirements, and the Advances placement pathway, in which the student is awarded 36 semester hours of advanced placement for holding current state or national certification or registration as a result of graduation from a program that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Licensure
A license to practice Dental Assisting is not required in all states, but in Tennessee the dental assistant must be registered (RDA). Registration is granted by the Board of Dentistry. Students who successfully complete this program are eligible to apply for State Registration and/or National Certification Examinations.
Success Rates
Completion Rate: 74%
Program Exit Exam Pass Rate: 87%
Job placement rate: 100%
Career Opportunities
Private Practice-General, Group, or Specialty; Dental Office Receptionist/Manager; Health Departments; Veteran’s Administration; Dental Sales; Manufacturer’s Representative; Dental Insurance Claims; Dental Assistant.
Program Cost
| First Semester (15 hours) (fall) | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance fee | 2,389.00 | 9319.00 |
| Nursing & Allied Health Fee | 375.00 | 375.00 |
| Truescreen: myRecord Tracker Fee: | 17.50 | 17.50 |
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| Physical Exam (estimate) | 300.00 | 300.00 |
| Hepatitis B Immunization (estimate) | 175.00 | 175.00 |
| Liability Insurance (estimate) | 11.05 | 11.05 |
| BLS Provider CPR Certification Course | 55.00 | 55.00 |
| Truescreen Drug Screening (12 panel) | 39.00 | 39.00 |
| Truescreen Criminal Background Check | 24.50 | 24.50 |
| Textbooks and Supply Costs (estimate) | 500.00 | 500.00 |
| Uniforms | 200.00 | 200.00 |
| Subtotal | 4086.05 | 11016.05 |
| Second Semester (18 hours) (spring) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance fee | 2503.00 | 9763.00 |
| Nursing & Allied Health Fee | 375.00 | 375.00 |
| Textbooks (estimate) | 200.00 | 200.00 |
| Initial Registration for State Registration and State Certification and Background Check | 69.65 | 69.65 |
| Subtotal | 3147.65 | 10407.65 |
| Third Semester (12 hours) (summer) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance fee | 2215.00 | 8623.00 |
| Nursing & Allied Health Fee | 300.00 | 300.00 |
| Textbooks (estimate) | 200.00 | 200.00 |
| Subtotal | 2715.00 | 9123.00 |
| Total | 9948.70 | 30546.70 |
Costs Disclaimer
These are estimated program costs. Actual costs may vary due to changes in tuition and/or fee increases as determined by the Tennessee Board of Regents.
Note: College fees are included in the maintenance cost. To view current calculation table, go to Bursar’s Office on Chattanooga State website. This website will also give you information on refund policies, fee payments and the refund calendar.