DENTAL ASSISTING
about 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 315-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.
DEA 1001 Dental Terminology
DEA 1015 Infection Control
DEA 1016 Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office
DEA 1023 Dental Materials l
DEA 1011 Introduction to Dental Practices
DEA 1021 Principles of Clinical Practice
DEA 1024 Dental Radiography
DEA 1012 Dental Science I
DEA 1033 Dental Materials II
DEA 1031 Prevention and Nutrition in Dentistry
DEA 1013 Dental Science II
DEA 1034 Advanced Dental Radiography
DEA 1035 Dental Office Management
DEA 1022 Specialties in Dentistry
DEA 1081 Internship I: Dental
DEA 1082 Internship II: Dental
- $9,660 (eligible for financial aid) does not include supplies
- Full-time 6 months (plus internship)
- This program is in-person. Internship hours will vary.
- Start Date: 8/18/2025* subject to change
- Location: Main Campus
- This program may have a waitlist.
REQUIREMENTS
All health programs require the student to complete a background check, drug screening and obtain several vaccinations before they can be placed at a clinical site. Clinical internships are a requirement for successful completion of their program. Students will need a valid social security number for the background check to be processed. Inability to provide a valid social security number may result in a clinical facility’s refusal to accept a student for placement. Please see emilygriffithtechnicalcollegecompliance.com for more details.
For questions, please email hsa@emilygriffith.edu or call (720) 423-3485 or (720) 423-4873
By applying to this program, you understand the Academic Preparedness and Physical Requirements below.
- English language proficiency (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).
- Understanding of basic algebra.
- Stand, walk and be able to maneuver in small areas.
- Capable of sustained activity for long periods of time (up to 5 hours).
- Possess gross and fine motor skills.
- Occasionally sit, bend, or kneel.
- Occasionally, lift and/or carry up to 25 pounds.
- Possess adequate hand/eye coordination when completing procedures, or handling instruments.
- Visual acuity that includes: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
- Communicate effectively with instructor(s), classmates, and clients
- Tactile ability that is sufficient for use of small instruments.
- Operate in a safe and efficient manner with instruments and tools to ensure patient well-being.
- Motor skills sufficient to provide treatment.
- Physical strength required to move and position patients.
- Stamina to remain continuously on task for several hours while sitting, standing, or moving.
- Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, confidentiality and respect when interacting with patients, peers, faculty and staff.
PROGRAM CLINICAL CHECKLIST
ALL items below must be completed.
- Criminal background check
- Payment and student ID
- Sign up for Complio/American Databank
- Submit government issued ID
- 10-panel drug screening
- Tuberculosis screening
- Vaccinations
- Upload Basic Life Support (BLS) card issued by the American Heart Association
For further requirement details, click each item below.
- Sign up for Complio, which is part of American Databank, at emilygriffithtechnicalcollegecompliance.com. For best experience, please use a computer (not mobile phone) to complete Complio items.
- Click on the button for new users, as displayed below.
- After completing the registration, select “Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen,” and follow the instructions.
- Submit/Upload a government-issued ID to HSA@emilygriffith.edu. This can be a state-issued driver’s license or identity card, social security card, United States passport, or an identification card issued by your country of origin.
- Request criminal background screening from Complio within 3 months of the first day of class. A background screening that is completed >3 months before the first day of class will not be accepted. Results of the background screening must be available in Complio prior to the first day of class to be accepted.
- The following link outlines disqualifying offenses: http://coloradostateplan.com/educator/health-science/nursing-background-check/
- Complete the 10-panel drug screening that is ordered in the Bundle from Complio within 2 weeks prior to the first day of class. A drug screening that is completed >2 weeks before the first day of class will not be accepted. You will not be allowed to begin class without results of a negative drug screening in Complio. Results of the drug screening will automatically be uploaded to the Complio tracking system.
- MMR – Mumps, Measles, Rubella: evidence of a two-dose
- Hepatitis B: evidence of a three-dose HepB vaccine series
- TDap – Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis: evidence of a single-dose TDap every 10 years
- TB – Tuberculosis: every year skin test or negative blood test, QuantiFERON Gold or T-Spot
- Students with a history of a positive TB skin test must provide evidence of negative TB risk assessment every year signed by a medical provider (MD, NP, PA)
- Provider must advise there has been a negative chest x-ray within the past three years and no evidence of active TB
- Varicella: evidence of two-dose varicella vaccine
- Influenza: 1-dose every year
- COVID-19: up-to-date with boosters as recommended by the CDC.
- Submit/Upload to Complio evidence of a current Basic Life Support (BLS) Card for Healthcare Professionals. This is to show evidence that you have signed up for AND completed a Basic Life Support (BLS) Class for Healthcare Providers. BLS cards must be issued by the American Heart Association. A copy of your scheduled class will NOT be accepted as proof of training.
Please make sure to keep a copy of all documentation for your own records. Many healthcare facilities will request similar documentation for employment purposes.
If you have any questions about this checklist, please email the Health Sciences Department at HSA@emilygriffith.edu.
Please submit this checklist, along with hard copies of your documentation at 1860 Lincoln Street Room 506, Denver CO 80203 or email a legible scan of documentation to HSA@emilygriffth.edu and include your HSA program in the subject line.
Student Identification
- Confirm payment. For more information regarding payment arrangements, click here.
- Get your student ID. You can get your student ID at Treasury.
Complio/American Databank
- Sign up for Complio, which is part of American Databank, at emilygriffithtechnicalcollegecompliance.com.
- Click on the button for new users, as displayed below.
- After completing the registration, select “Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen,” and follow the instructions.
Government Issued Identification
- Submit/Upload a government-issued ID to HSA@emilygriffith.edu. This can be a state-issued driver’s license or identity card, social security card, United States passport, or an identification card issued by your country of origin.
Criminal Background Screening
- Request criminal background screening from Complio within 3 months of the first day of class. A background screening that is completed >3 months before the first day of class will not be accepted. Results of the background screening must be available in Complio prior to the first day of class to be accepted.
- The following link outlines disqualifying offenses: http://coloradostateplan.com/educator/health-science/nursing-background-check/
10-Panel Drug Screening
- Complete the 10-panel drug screening that is ordered in the Bundle from Complio within 2 weeks prior to the first day of class. A drug screening that is completed >2 weeks before the first day of class will not be accepted. You will not be allowed to begin class without results of a negative drug screening in Complio. Results of the drug screening will automatically be uploaded to the Complio tracking system.
Tuberculosis Screening
- TB – Tuberculosis – every year–Skin Test or Negative blood test – QuantiFERON Gold or T-Spot
- Students with a history of a positive TB skin test must provide evidence of negative
TB risk assessment every year signed by a medical provider (MD, NP, PA) must include
the following Provider must advise there has been a negative chest x-ray within the past
three years and no evidence of active TB
- Students with a history of a positive TB skin test must provide evidence of negative
Vaccine Requirements
- MMR – Mumps, Measles, Rubella Evidence of a Two-Dose
- Hepatitis B – Evidence of a Three-Dose HepB vaccine series
- TDap – Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis – Evidence of a Single Dose Tdap Every 10 years
- Varicella – Evidence of Two-Dose varicella vaccine
- Influenza – 1-Dose every year
- COVID-19 Vaccination – Up-to-date with boosters as recommended by the CDC
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Professionals
- Submit/Upload to Complio evidence of a current Basic Life Support (BLS) Card for Healthcare Professionals. This is to show evidence that you have signed up for AND completed a Basic Life Support (BLS) Class for Healthcare Providers. BLS cards must be issued by the American Heart Association. A copy of your scheduled class will NOT be accepted as proof of training.
Please make sure to keep a copy of all documentation for your own records. Many healthcare facilities will request similar documentation for employment purposes.
If you have any questions about this checklist, please email the Health Sciences Department at HSA@emilygriffith.edu.
Please submit this checklist, along with hard copies of your documentation at 1860 Lincoln Street Room 506, Denver CO 80203 or email a legible scan of documentation to HSA@emilygriffth.edu and include your HSA program in the subject line.