Dental Assisting : Emily Griffith Technical College

Dental Assisting

Dental Assistants are the front-line providers in the dental office, working directly with patients and assisting dentists with procedures, as well as performing a variety of laboratory procedures. Our program utilizes both a classroom teaching environment and a 300-hour clinical internship in a real dental environment to help you develop skills in conducting chair-side procedures, radiology and X-rays, patient education, infection control and laboratory work. 

What Can I Do with an Emily Griffith Dental Assisting Certificate?

Graduates use their certificate to work in the following:

  • Chairside Dental Assistant
  • Dental Front Office Management
  • Dental Lab Tech Assistant
  • Dental Insurance
  • Dental Supply Representative

Thinking about applying? Get the program checklist or flyer.

All programs in the College of Health, Sciences and Administration require a criminal background check, a drug test and proof of vaccinations. Click here for a full list of disqualifying offenses.
Health & Wellness
$8,073
Approximate cost. Additional material and book fees may apply
Part Time Program
7 Months
Program length
8/22/2022
Next Start Date
1/3/23
Available Start Dates
Apply to Emily Griffith Technical College

Course Information

Required Courses

Course Code Course Title Credits
DEA 1001 Dental Terminology 1
DEA 1011 Introduction to Dental Practices 1
DEA 1012 Dental Science I 3
DEA 1013 Dental Science II 3
DEA 1015 Infection Control 3
DEA 1016 Medical Emergencies in the DentalOffice 2
DEA 1021 Principles of Clinical Practice 3
DEA 1022 Specialties in Dentristry 2
DEA 1023 Dental Materials I 3
DEA 1024 Dental Radiography 3
DEA 1031 Prevention and Nutrition inDentistry 3
DEA 1033 Dental Materials II 3
DEA 1034 Advanced Dental Radiography 3
DEA 1035 Dental Office Management 2
DEA 1081 Dental Clinical Internship I 1
DEA 1082 Dental Clinical Internship II 6
DEA 1001 Dental Terminology

Includes colloquial versus professional terminology, word elements and structure as they apply to dental terminology.

Start Date: 01/03/2023
Instructor: Tonya Robinson
DEA 1001 Dental Terminology

Includes colloquial versus professional terminology, word elements and structure as they apply to dental terminology.

Start Date: 08/22/2022
Instructor: Tonya Robinson
DEA 1011 Introduction to Dental Practices

Includes roles and responsibilities of the dental health team; educational background for the various specialties including general practitioner, hygienist, dental assistant; history, legal implications, ethical responsibilities and the role of professional organizations.

Start Date: 01/23/2023
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1011 Introduction to Dental Practices

Includes roles and responsibilities of the dental health team; educational background for the various specialties including general practitioner, hygienist, dental assistant; history, legal implications, ethical responsibilities and the role of professional organizations.

Start Date: 09/06/2022
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1012 Dental Science I

Includes fundamentals of the oral structures as they apply oral histology, embryology, morphology, pathology, dental anatomy, and dental charting.

Start Date: 02/27/2023
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1012 Dental Science I

Includes fundamentals of the oral structures as they apply oral histology, embryology, morphology, pathology, dental anatomy, and dental charting.

Start Date: 10/10/2022
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1013 Dental Science II

Includes survey of human anatomy and physiology, the structure of the head and neck as applied to dental assisting, the function of the maxilla and mandible, processes, foramen, sutures, and major nerve and blood supply.

Start Date: 05/01/2023
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1013 Dental Science II

Includes survey of human anatomy and physiology, the structure of the head and neck as applied to dental assisting, the function of the maxilla and mandible, processes, foramen, sutures, and major nerve and blood supply.

Start Date: 12/12/2022
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1015 Infection Control

Includes basic information concerning infection and disease transmission in the dental office. Emphasizes knowledge of microorganisms, with an emphasis on aseptic techniques, sterilization, and hazardous communication management.

Start Date: 01/03/2023
Instructor: Tonya Robinson
DEA 1015 Infection Control

Includes basic information concerning infection and disease transmission in the dental office. Emphasizes knowledge of microorganisms, with an emphasis on aseptic techniques, sterilization, and hazardous communication management.

Start Date: 08/22/2022
Instructor: Tonya Robinson
DEA 1016 Medical Emergencies in the DentalOffice

Includes techniques for taking and reading vital signs. Emphasizes recognition, prevention, and management of medical emergency situations in the dental office. Covers completing and updating patient health history. Addresses pharmacology.

Start Date: 01/03/2023
Instructor: Tonya Robinson
DEA 1016 Medical Emergencies in the DentalOffice

Includes techniques for taking and reading vital signs. Emphasizes recognition, prevention, and management of medical emergency situations in the dental office. Covers completing and updating patient health history. Addresses pharmacology.

Start Date: 08/22/2022
Instructor: Tonya Robinson
DEA 1021 Principles of Clinical Practice

Includes techniques used in four handed dentistry, instrument identification, and armamentarium for tray set-ups. Covers sterilization and aseptic procedures.

Start Date: 01/03/2023
Instructor: Tonya Robinson
DEA 1021 Principles of Clinical Practice

Includes techniques used in four handed dentistry, instrument identification, and armamentarium for tray set-ups. Covers sterilization and aseptic procedures.

Start Date: 08/22/2022
Instructor: Tonya Robinson
DEA 1022 Specialties in Dentristry

Focuses on armamentarium of specific tray set-ups for periodontics, endodontics, and fixed and removable prosthodontics. Examines pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, and implants. Includes diagnosis, treatment, and the dental assistant's role in each specialty.

Start Date: 06/12/2023
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1022 Specialties in Dentristry

Focuses on armamentarium of specific tray set-ups for periodontics, endodontics, and fixed and removable prosthodontics. Examines pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, and implants. Includes diagnosis, treatment, and the dental assistant's role in each specialty.

Start Date: 02/21/2023
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1023 Dental Materials I

Includes fundamentals of dental materials as they apply to clinical and laboratory applications of cements, bases, liners, dental metals, resins, glass ionomers, ceramics and dental abrasives.

Start Date: 03/20/2023
Instructor: Tonya Robinson
DEA 1023 Dental Materials I

Includes fundamentals of dental materials as they apply to clinical and laboratory applications of cements, bases, liners, dental metals, resins, glass ionomers, ceramics and dental abrasives.

Start Date: 10/10/2022
Instructor: Tonya Robinson
DEA 1024 Dental Radiography

Focuses on the science of radiography, the application of radiographic techniques, and aseptic techniques.

Start Date: 02/13/2023
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1024 Dental Radiography

Focuses on the science of radiography, the application of radiographic techniques, and aseptic techniques.

Start Date: 09/26/2022
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1031 Prevention and Nutrition inDentistry

Emphasizes techniques in preventive dentistry to include application of fluoride, pit and fissure sealants, oral home care instruction, diet counseling and nutrition as it applies to dental health. Covers techniques for coronal polishing, extra-oral and intra-oral examination, and dental charting.

Start Date: 04/17/2023
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1031 Prevention and Nutrition inDentistry

Emphasizes techniques in preventive dentistry to include application of fluoride, pit and fissure sealants, oral home care instruction, diet counseling and nutrition as it applies to dental health. Covers techniques for coronal polishing, extra-oral and intra-oral examination, and dental charting.

Start Date: 11/14/2022
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1033 Dental Materials II

Includes fundamentals of dental materials as they apply to clinical and laboratory applications of hydrocolloid and elastomeric impressions materials, gypsum products, dental waxes, study and final working models, and fabrication of provisional crowns, custom impression trays and bleaching trays.

Start Date: 05/22/2023
Instructor: Tonya Robinson
DEA 1033 Dental Materials II

Includes fundamentals of dental materials as they apply to clinical and laboratory applications of hydrocolloid and elastomeric impressions materials, gypsum products, dental waxes, study and final working models, and fabrication of provisional crowns, custom impression trays and bleaching trays.

Start Date: 01/03/2023
Instructor: Tonya Robinson
DEA 1034 Advanced Dental Radiography

Includes theory and techniques of exposing intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs on adults, children, edentulous, and special needs patients. Covers dental anatomy radiographic interpretation and aseptic techniques. Enables the student to expose radiographs on the x-ray mannequin and patients. Students must be a minimum of eighteen years of age.

Start Date: 06/12/2023
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1034 Advanced Dental Radiography

Includes theory and techniques of exposing intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs on adults, children, edentulous, and special needs patients. Covers dental anatomy radiographic interpretation and aseptic techniques. Enables the student to expose radiographs on the x-ray mannequin and patients. Students must be a minimum of eighteen years of age.

Start Date: 02/21/2023
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1035 Dental Office Management

Includes office management and clerical practices, scheduling appointments, completing daily records, insurance and tax forms, bookkeeping and recall systems, and ordering supplies.

Start Date: 05/15/2023
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1035 Dental Office Management

Includes office management and clerical practices, scheduling appointments, completing daily records, insurance and tax forms, bookkeeping and recall systems, and ordering supplies.

Start Date: 01/17/2023
Instructor: Roland Martinez
DEA 1081 Dental Clinical Internship I

Provides an opportunity to perform clinical dental assisting skills in a dental office or clinical setting and work toward completing clinical hours required by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) .

Start Date: 04/10/2023
Instructor: Tonya Robinson
DEA 1082 Dental Clinical Internship II

Provides an opportunity to perform and advance clinical dental assisting skills in a general dental office, specialty office or clinical setting and work toward completing clinical hours required by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Start Date: 04/10/2023
Instructor: Tonya Robinson
EMILY’S STORIES


“I had to figure out how to organize my life and my family and how to be successful in the U.S.”
— Adnan

In Syria, Adnan studied pharmacology in college and worked as a Pharmaceutical Representative and in medical sales for 7 years. When he first arrived here in Denver, he heard about Emily Griffith and started taking English classes. “One of the challenges I faced upon arriving was getting familiar with new words, new language, new environment, new expectations,” explains Adnan. “I had to figure out how to organize my life and my family and how to be successful in the U.S. It was really expensive in Colorado and a challenge to get a job. I got a job as a driver, but it wasn’t in my field and I didn’t make enough to pay my expenses.”

He says that Tiffany Jaramillo helped him in the CAREERS program and once his English was good enough he worked on getting into the Pharmacy Tech program. “I needed to get my high school diploma from my country, but this was too hard because my country was in the war. I had to get the documents I had translated and then work with the Health Science department to get approved with what I had,” explains Adnan.

The Pharmacy Tech classes have had their own challenges for Adnan. “I had to learn a new vocabulary and medical words. My primary language is Arabic and most of the people in my class speak English,” he says. “Mr. Joe has helped me if I need specific or more help or clarifications. He is a helpful man.”

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