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  1. Programs
  3. Dental Assisting

Dental Assisting

Kirkwood Community College

DiplomaAcademic

Become a contributor for free to openly demonstrate student outcomes, industry alignment & eligibility criteria.

Dental Assistants help the dentist at chair side and also perform functions such as polishing teeth, taking X-rays, mixing materials and sterilizing instruments. Some assistants also manage the office and patient accounts, schedule appointments and purchase supplies. During this one year program, students will gain classroom, laboratory and hands-on experience by working with patients at the College of Dentistry at the University of Iowa and in private dental offices.

Credits

45.5 credits

Format

In-Person

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Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

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Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.

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Locations

Where this program is offered

  • Iowa

    Iowa

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Related Programs

Programs related to this one

No related programs.

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populated·from O*NET via SOC 31-9091.00

Skills

Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionService OrientationActive LearningMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessInstructing

Knowledge

Customer and Personal ServiceMedicine and DentistryEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementAdministrative

Abilities

Near VisionOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionSpeech RecognitionWritten ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningInformation OrderingWritten ExpressionProblem SensitivityArm-Hand Steadiness

Tasks

  • Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or
  • Record treatment information in patient records.
  • Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.

Technology

Electronic mail softwareMedical softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareAccounting software

Tools

Air abrasion unitsAir compressorsAir/water syringesAmalgam carriersAmalgamatorsApex locatorsArticulatorsAspirating syringesAutoclavesBand seating pliersBench lathesBite blocksBitewing film holdersBursCaries detection aids

Work Values

RelationshipsSupportWorking ConditionsIndependenceAchievementRecognition
Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populated·from O*NET + BLS
Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOCOccupationMethodWageGrowthOpenings
Match confidence: high31-9091.00Dental Assistantstitle_inference$47,300 median$61,780 top+6.39%2,440
What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populated·from NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Diploma)

  • Instrument trays and chairside materials — prepare and manage setup for multiple procedure types with minimal oversight in a busy general dentistry practice.
  • Electronic health record software — maintain accurate, complete patient treatment records and update medical histories routinely across a full patient schedule.
  • Dental diagnostic radiography equipment — expose full-mouth series and bitewing x-rays independently, applying appropriate technique adjustments for diverse patient anatomy.
  • Dental emergency response protocols — assist the dentist in managing common medical and dental emergencies such as syncope or allergic reactions using established office procedures.
  • Dental supply ordering systems and spreadsheet software — track inventory levels, generate purchase orders, and reconcile deliveries to maintain consistent clinical supply availability.
  • Postoperative care instructions — communicate procedure-specific recovery guidance clearly to patients with varying health literacy levels in a post-treatment setting.
  • Plaque control and oral hygiene education — instruct patients on individualized homecare programs, adapting explanations to age and oral health status in a preventive care context.
  • Patient vital signs data — interpret readings and flag abnormal values to the supervising dentist before treatment proceeds, applying knowledge of common medical contraindications.
  • Medical software and patient management platforms — navigate scheduling, billing support, and treatment records to ensure smooth daily clinic operations.
  • Active listening and social perceptiveness skills — recognize and respond to patient anxiety or discomfort during procedures, adjusting communication style to promote cooperation in the dental chair.

Some details on this page are auto-populated from public workforce data sources: O*NET (opens in new tab), BLS (opens in new tab), College Scorecard (opens in new tab), DOL Training Provider Results (opens in new tab), NSX (opens in new tab). Provided in partnership with LER.me Career Intelligence.

Student Outcomes

Performance metrics for this program

Auto-populated·from Scorecard + DOL
Completion Rate
54%
Placement Rate
89%