Dental Assisting

Are you ready to start a rewarding career in the dental industry? Our Dental Assistant Program in Arizona is designed to provide hands-on experience and foundational knowledge for anyone aspiring to become a professional dental assistant. With 180 required externship hours, students gain real-world experience working in dental practices across Arizona, preparing for various roles in the dental field.

This comprehensive program will train you to assist dental professionals with:

• Dental examinations and patient care
• Sterilizing and preparing dental instruments
• Performing coronal polishing procedures
• Taking and processing X-rays
• Taking impressions of teeth

By the end of the program, students will be equipped with the skills needed to seek industry-recognized certifications like the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiation Health and Safety Certification and the Coronal Polish Certificate, increasing their qualifications and employability.

CAREER PATHWAYS*

The Dental Assistant Program prepares you for diverse career opportunities in Arizona. Whether you're interested in hands-on clinical work or administrative support, there are numerous roles to explore, such as:

Dental Assistant
Orthodontic Assistant
Dental Hygiene Assistant
Dental Infection Control Technician
Dental Aesthetics Assistant
 

Why Become a Dental Assistant?

Our Dental Assistant Program is specifically tailored for students in Arizona, with externships that place you in local dental practices. You’ll receive practical training and experience that reflects the real-world demands of Arizona’s dental industry.
Upon completing the program, you will be well-equipped to take on certifications that are highly valued by employers in Arizona, such as:

• Radiation Health and Safety Certification (DANB)
• Coronal Polish Certification

Our mission is to provide you with the necessary education and hands-on experience to thrive in Arizona's competitive dental job market.

*Learn more about the healthcare sector growth and the labor market in the state of Arizona. Check market statistics including job growth for dental assisting in Arizona.

Funding Resources
 

The Surprise Economic Development, with support from Surprise City Council, has partnered with Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC), specifically Adult Education, via the West-MEC Alliance to support the City’s residents, employees, and recent high school graduates with the opportunity to attain education to become dental assistants via the Surprise Career Development Scholarship.  This Scholarship is for the Adult Education Dental Assisting program at West-MEC’s Northwest Campus. 

City of Surprise residents, workers employed in Surprise, or graduates of Surprise schools within the past two years are eligible to apply for this scholarship. The process of applying for the scholarship is as easy as applying for the program. The applicant will specify the criteria that applies to them and provide the document(s) that proves the applicant meets their stated criteria. The supporting documents could be a valid government-issued ID that has their address, a current pay stub and/or high school diploma, or official transcripts. Prospective students should express interest and meet and complete the required admissions policy (page 14 of PDF) to initiate the application process.