The Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College Dental Assistant Program is accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.Graduates of the OWATC Dental Assistant Program are eligible to sit immediately for the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Examination offered by the Dental Assisting National Board.
As a Dental Assistant, you will be performing chairside and administrative duties in a dental office. You will assist dentists with dental procedures, expose and process X-rays, and fabricate and seat temporary restorations. You will be preparing dental impressions, cleaning and polishing removable appliances, taking vital signs, and recording health histories.The approximate completion time for the Dental Assisting Certificate is 1530 hours or 13 months at 30 hours per week and maintaining 100% progress.
Admission Requirements
- Please meet with a counselor to schedule testing and to receive application forms.
- Accuplacer reading schore of 86 or DRP (Degree of Reading Power) of 68 or ACT score of 21.
- Accuplacer math score of 65 or Compass math exam with minimum of 43 in all areas or math ACT score of 17 or successful completion of OWATC Math I course.
- Completed application including physical examination, record of immunizations, and dental office observation.
- Documentation of high school diploma or GED or other equivalent.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are enrolling in any health occupation program, any misdemeanor or felony conviction that you have on your record, may negatively impact your chances of completing the program, being placed on an externship site, and employment in a health care career. See your specific program coordinator for more detailed information.
Employer Advisory Team
- Weber State University – Dental Hygiene
- Marc Collman, DDS
- Ridgeview Dental
- Tyler Shaw, DDS
| Program Details | |
| Completion Time: | 12 months (1,485 hours) |
| Campus Location(s): | Main Campus - All courses |
| Estimated Costs: | $3,860 |
| Estimated Starting Pay: | $8.50 - $9.50 /hr |
| Estimated Experienced Pay: | $12.00 - $14.00 /hr |
| Course Descriptions: | Download PDF |
| Course Outline & Cost Sheet: | Download PDF |
What's Happening in the Dental Assisting program
Historically, ten OWATC students have competed nationally at the SkillsUSA Dental Assisting competition. Seven of the ten have returned home with medals. Most recently, the gold medal in the high school category, and the silver medal in the post-secondary category were awarded to Ogden-Weber Dental Assisting students.
100% of students completing the Dental Office Administration program have obtained employment in a dental office.
Your Instructor
Brenda Fell, CDA, CDPMA is the Coordinator for the Dental Occupations Program. She has 29 years of experience in the dental field to include clinical assisting, administrative assisting, and dental assisting education. Ms. Fell currently serves as the Chair of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
Heidi Denson, CDA, comes to the Dental Assisting Program with 17 years of clinical dental assisting experience. Her background includes extensive expanded functions experience.
Christa Wagstaff, CDA, is a graduate of the OWATC Dental Assisting Program with an additional 9 years of clinical dental assisting experience.
Jeannie Barrette comes to the OWATC Dental Office Administration Program with over 25 years of dental experience. Her work experience has provided her with a wide-range of both administrative and clinical skills.
Contact me:
fellb@owatc.edu
801-627-8444
