top of page

Dental Assisting

Video Transcript Coming Soon

Overview

Students in the Dental Assisting program learn to work with patients and a dental team in a dental office setting. They master skills that are critical to helping a dentist with procedures. These skills include passing dental instruments and materials, keeping the mouth dry, mixing and preparing dental materials, sterilizing instruments, disinfecting treatment rooms, and taking impressions and X-rays. Students also perform basic lab duties, such as making models of teeth.

Possible Certifications

  • Radiation Health & Safety (RHS)

  • BLS Healthcare Provider

  • OSHA and HIPAA Compliance 

  • Infection Control (ICE)

Career Opportunities

Below are the potential job opportunities for students graduating from this program. Foundational careers are those that can usually be obtained immediately after high school with the industry-recognized certifications earned at York Tech. Technical careers typically require the industry-recognized certifications earned at York Tech plus a two-year associates degree. Professional careers typically require the industry-recognized certifications earned at York Tech and a four-year college degree (or more).


  • Foundational Careers

    • Chairside Dental Assistant

    • Dental Receptionist

    • Dental Office Assistant

    • Pediatric Dental Assistant

    • Orthodontic Dental Assistant

    • Endodontic Dental Assistant

    • Floating Dental Assistant

    • Dental Hygiene Assistant

    • Dental Sterilization Technician

    • Patient Care Coordinator

    • Treatment Coordinator

  • Technical Careers

    • Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)

    • Dental Hygienist

    • Dental Office Manager/Medical Health Services Manager

    • Dental Laboratory Technician

    • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant

    • Dental Equipment/Supplies Sales Rep

    • Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA)

    • Certified Billing and Coding Specialist

    • Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner

    • Dental Software Sales/Trainer

  • Professional Careers

    • Dentist (General)

    • Orthodontist

    • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

    • Prosthodontist

    • Endodontist

    • Periodontist

    • Pediatric Dentist

    • Public School Dental Hygienist

    • Dental Hygiene Instructor

    • Oral Pathologist

What to Expect

This is a standalone program that does not rotate with any other programs. Students accepted into it will take Dental Assisting courses during all four years at York Tech, with the exception being students who participate in a co-op opportunity during their senior year.

Uniform

Students at York Tech are required to wear a uniform at all times. While in their shop classes, they must wear the uniform designated by the program instructor. At all other times, students may wear their shop uniform OR York Tech apparel, which is sold through the School Store and the Fan Shop. Please review the Student Handbook for a full explanation of the dress code. 


The specific uniform requirements for Dental Assisting can be viewed below. All items that are hyperlinked must be purchased from the online store associated with the link. Items not hyperlinked may be purchased from any retailer, unless noted otherwise.


Required Items

  • Shop classes

    • Gray scrub jacket

    • Scrub top (any color) or York Tech short sleeve or long sleeve shirts 

    • Scrub bottoms, any solid color

    • Water-resistant shoes

      • Crocs WITHOUT holes are acceptable

    • NOTE: Garments worn under uniforms are acceptable. No hoodies.

  • Academic classes 


Optional Items


*Some items sold in the Fan Shop, such as hats, may not be worn during school. Please review the Student Handbook for a full explanation of the dress code.

How to Apply

More information about how to submit an application for York Tech's full-time high school programs can be found on the full-time admissions web page.

bottom of page