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Dental Assisting

Help Put Confidence in Every Smile

Adult Costs

$2,755

Program Length

16 months

Next Start Date

5/18/2026

Enroll by

May 7th

Location

Main Campus

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Support Dentists and Serve Patients: Become a Dental Assistant

Gain the hands-on skills to launch a rewarding career in the dental field. Utilize your training in a high-demand healthcare field that offers flexible working hours and has great opportunities for career advancement.

Avg. Salary

$36k

for OTECH Grads

Career Growth

2.40%

by 2032 in Utah

Day in the Life

From the moment the dental office opens, you are on the move—preparing exam rooms and sterilizing instruments. Throughout the day, you greet and seat patients, take X-rays, and assist the dentist during procedures. Between appointments, you manage important administrative tasks like scheduling and record keeping. Every day is a fast-paced blend of clinical skills and care, all dedicated to helping people smile with confidence.
Woman in blue scrubs holding toothbrush and cup in a room.

The instructors help you so much. They all have different perspectives because they’ve been working and are so good at helping you learn skillsThey are so understanding and they want you to come to school..

Anastasia Herrera – Dental Assisting

Dental Assisting Graduate

Career Skills You'll Learn:

Dental Radiography

Learn current methods for dental radiography, including X-rays, 3D, and panoramic images.

Patient Care Skills

Learn to greet and prepare patients for treatment and ensure they remain safe and comfortable during their procedure.

Clinical Chairside Skills

Learn to assist during a variety of procedures, including fillings, crowns, extractions, implants, and root canals.

Interpersonal Communication

Learn important communication skills to instruct patients on oral health and interact with the dental team.

Front Office Skills

Learn basic office management procedures, including scheduling, patient records, billing, ordering, and insurance.

Expanded Functions

Learn to polish teeth, make bleach trays, place sealants, take impressions, give fluoride treatments, and more.

Potential Career Paths

Dental Assistant

Provide support to dentists, ensuring smooth and efficient patient care and assisting with various procedures.

Dental Hygiene (with further education)

Provide preventative oral care, clean teeth, examine patients for signs of disease, and educate on oral hygiene practices.

Dentist (with further education)

Healthcare professional who examines, diagnoses, and treats diseases, injuries, and malformations of the teeth, gums, and related oral structures.

OTECH Partners who hire our Dental Assisting graduates

Program Overview

The Dental Assisting program is designed to prepare students for employment as a professional chairside assistant. Dental Assistants increase the efficiency of the dental office by performing a wide range of clinical, interpersonal, and administrative skills. Join our program and utilize your training in a high-demand, flexible healthcare field. Students focus on the basics of dental assisting, nutrition, dental prevention, dental disease, infection control, instrument and tray setups for dental procedures, dental materials, anatomy, radiology, dental specialties, law and ethics, CPR, and clinical experience.

Classroom Hours
This is a hybrid program. Complete coursework online and come to the classroom for labs and hands-on skills.

Day: M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Eve: M-Th 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Enrollment open to
Adults, High school students

Credit transfer options
Available to view here

Tuition & Cost

Estimated Adult Tuition and Fees
$2,800.00

Estimated Materials Cost
$216.00

Estimated High School Student Cost
$140.00

Financial Aid Eligibility
Scholarship: Yes
VA: Yes
Pell Grant: Yes

Program Materials
MaterialRequiredNew
Lab Coat✔$30.00
Random Drug Screen for Health Programs✔$58.00
Scrubs (Any Color)✔$40.00
Vaishali Singhal, et. al MindTap for Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach (e-book access code) ISBN: 9780357456729✔$118.00
Subtotal of required materials$246.00
TEDE 1021 Infection Control
MaterialRequiredNew
Lab Coat✔$30.00
Subtotal of required materials$30.00
  • The Dental Assisting program at OTECH has a reading requirement. Please visit this page for more information.
  • Enrolled as a high school junior and in the 2nd semester, or older.
  • Must pass a background check.

The OTECH Dental Assisting program has rolling start dates throughout the year. If you are interested in enrolling in the program, please review the application deadlines and program start dates below to ensure a smooth application process.

5/18/2026
  • Correlate the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, psychology, and microbiology to the roles and responsibilities of a dental assistant.
  • Identify commonly used equipment, supplies, instrumentation, and medications used in the dental chairside setting.
  • Apply the principles of asepsis to the dental office and its environment.
  • Competently and safely perform the skills of a dental assistant.
  • Use legal, moral, and ethical principles to evaluate the care of a dental patient.
  • Demonstrate the professional attributes of a dental assistant.
  • Pass the final exam and certifications for the dental field.

Background Check and Drug Testing  

  • All students must complete a background check and a random drug test. 
  • You need a Social Security Number or ITIN to do the background check. 
  • Criminal charges from the last 7 years will show up. In Utah, juvenile records are not sealed.  
  • You must complete hands-on training at a job site to finish the program. A criminal record or positive drug test could prevent that. 
  • If you can’t finish your program because of your background or a positive drug test, no refunds will be given. 
  • If you have a criminal record, talk to the Program Coordinator before you enroll. 

Vaccination Information

  • The program requires hands-on training at a job site.  
  • Job sites may ask students to get the COVID-19 vaccine before placement.  
  • If you have questions, please talk to your Program Coordinator.
Course NumberCourse NameCreditsCost Description
TEDE 1011Introduction to Dental Assisting3285The Introduction to Dental Assisting course introduces the students to the dental assisting profession and teaches the fundamental concepts and principles necessary to fully participate as a member of the dental team.
TEDE 1021Infection Control2190The Infection Control course lays out the fundamentals of oral diseases, infection control, microbiology, and safety procedures in the dental office.
TEDE 1100Dental Anatomy2190The Dental Anatomy course lays out the fundamentals of dental terminology. This course provides a basic overview of the anatomy and physiology of the human body, with an emphasis on head and neck anatomy.
TEDE 1031Patient Information2190The Patient Information course introduces patient records and how to obtain and organize patient information. Instruction in measuring and recording vital signs is highlighted.
TEDE 1041Dental Materials3285The Dental Materials course introduces the use of dental materials in a clinical setting. Storing, mixing transferring and applying of materials is integrated in the instruction. Finally, this course introduces lab materials and procedures; the skills necessary to take alginate impressions; pour and trim casts; and fabricate mouth guards and custom trays.
TEDE 1201Dental Instruments and Equipment3285The Dental Instruments and Equipment course identifies the proper use of instruments and equipment at the chair, and how to treat a medical emergency should one occur in the dental office.
TEDE 1211Anesthesia and Pain Control2190The Anesthesia and Pain Control course explores a basic knowledge of the use of anesthesia and sedation in dentistry. An understanding of patient treatment procedures and pain control in the dental office is also discussed.
TEDE 1110Dental Radiology3285The Dental Radiology course introduces the student to the basic safety and use of radiation in a dental setting. Students are given the knowledge and skills to expose and process intraoral and extraoral radiographic images including the various techniques used for each. The necessary skills and knowledge required to earn the Utah State Radiation Health and Safety certificate, that is necessary for employment as a dental assistant, are taught as well.
TEDE 1221Orthodontic, Pediatrics, Prosthodontics3285The Orthodontics, Pediatrics, Prosthodontics course introduces the clinical concepts and basic skills related to the different specialties in the dental field and how their treatment is individual for each one. Types of orthodontic treatment, removable and fixed prosthodontics, and pediatric dentistry are also discussed.
TEDE 1231Periodontics, Endodontics, Oral Maxillofacial Surgery2190The Periodontics, Endodontics, Oral Maxillofacial Surgery course continues the study of clinical concepts and basic skills related to dental specialties including endodontics, and oral maxillofacial surgery procedures.
TEDE 1300Dental Office Administration195The Dental Office Administration course provides the necessary knowledge and skills required in the dental office setting, and office administrative duties. Students learn about communication, law and ethics, job skills and many factors associated with making career decisions that can enhance a dental assistant’s growth and success.
TEDE 1500Job Seeking Skills195Job Seeking Skills explores how to prepare and successfully apply to potential career opportunities. During this course, you will be presented with essential job-seeking skills needed to find gainful employment.
TEDE 1900Dental Assisting Externship2190The Externship course presents the opportunity to practice skills acquired in dental assisting at a working dental office or clinic under the supervision of a licensed dentist.

Background Check and Drug Testing

  • All students must complete a background check and a random drug test.
  • You need a Social Security Number or ITIN to do the background check.
  • Criminal charges from the last 7 years will show up. In Utah, juvenile records are not sealed.
  • You must complete hands-on training at a job site to finish the program. A criminal record or positive drug test could prevent that.
  • If you can’t finish your program because of your background or a positive drug test, no refunds will be given.
  • If you have a criminal record, talk to the Program Coordinator before you enroll.

Vaccination Information:

  • The program requires hands-on training at a job site.
  • Job sites may ask students to get the COVID-19 vaccine before placement.
  • If you have questions, please talk to your Program Coordinator.
Dana Mace

Dana is the Coordinator of the Dental Assisting program. She is a graduate of the college program and has 15 years clinical dental assisting experience in a private practice and in the Air Force Reserves. She has an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting and is a member of the American Dental Assistants Association. As a former student with a vivacious personality, a zest for life, and enthusiasm for the college and program, she wants to impart her skill set and fresh perspective to the dental assisting program.

Office Hours (by appointment)
M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location
Health Tech 121A

dana.mace@otech.edu

801-627-8463