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. 

This program is eligible for Care Forward Colorado – meaning zero-cost to you! Learn more.

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
1/03/2023
Next Start Date
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
EMILY’S STORIES


"There was so much support and opportunity," explains Debbie why she chose to come to Emily Griffith. "There's so much value for your money."

Debbie Wallis is a recent HSE graduate and a current student in our Accounting program. Debbie came to Emily Griffith in order to advance her career. “I felt like to go forward I needed a degree,” she says. She works full-time in purchasing and felt that studying accounting would help her move into better jobs. But before could start the Accounting program she had to get her GED so she took HSE prep classes at Emily Griffith. 

“There was so much support and opportunity,” explains Debbie why she chose to come to Emily Griffith. “There’s so much value for your money.” When she completes the Accounting program, she is considering transferring her credits to go on and earn an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. She encourages others to continue their education as well. “It’s never to late to study and get a degree,” she says. 

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