dental assistant
learn about our dental assistant training and certification program
what is a dental assistant?
The dental assistant is an important part of the oral health team. They fulfil many roles, including scheduling patients, taking patient histories, keeping dental equipment clean and in proper working order, arranging the dental exam room for dental staff, assisting dental staff in procedures, such as teeth cleaning, and they may even do some procedures like taking x-rays with additional training. Without the dental assistant, the dental office would not function smoothly, and patients would not receive the oral care they need. If you enjoy caring for people, and want to be part of the oral health team, as well as have the chance to further your education in the future, then a dental assistant role is right for you.
how do i train to be a dental assistant?
The DDFT program works with Penn Foster College located in Arizona, to offer free dental assistant training to those who are currently working in an oral health role in a government clinic in the USAPI. To learn more about how to apply to become a dental assistant through our Penn Foster partnership please see the applying page. Completing this fully accredited program, which is offered online through Penn Foster, means that you will have a dental assistant certificate that will allow you to expand the work that you are already doing in the oral health field in Micronesia. The dental assistant training program takes approximately nine months to complete. You will take ten courses in areas such as dental terminology and anatomy, dental medications and materials, infection control and emergencies, dental x-rays and more. There will be a total of 16 modules taken across all ten courses. These exciting courses will prepare you to continue your career in oral health, assisting the people of Micronesia to be healthy and happy.
will i study alone?
The Penn Foster dental assistant course is delivered fully online. We know that this can be challenging as many of you have never studied for a certificate online. We will be there with you every step of the way. A DDFT staff member will act as your tutor, and may even complete some lessons with you to ensure that you have the foundation for success you need. Penn Foster faculty members will also be available via email to answer your questions. DDFT has direct access to the administrative support of Penn Foster College to help you address any problems that might arise as you study. If you are studying as part of the DDFT program, then you will have your fellow DDFT students to also support you. And if you are studying the dental assistant certificate as a stand alone course from across the USAPI, then you may have others who are studying with you to offer support. Remember, we are on your side! We want you to succeed, because your success is our success!
can my dental assistant certificate lead to greater things?
The Penn Foster dental assistant course can lead to a successful and fulfilling career as a dental assistant. Or, it can be just the beginning of your healthcare career. Once you graduate, you can enter practice immediately as a dental assistant in the USAPI where you will be a critical member of the oral health team ensuring the health and wellbeing of Micronesians. But what if you would like to progress further? The dental assistant program makes that possible. If a dental assistant graduate who was not part of the DDFT program wants to do even more, they can apply to enter the DDFT program where they will prepare to attend dental, medical, or allied health training in Fiji. Through this pathway they can become a dental hygienist, dental therapist, or even a full dentist. They can also explore other career paths through our partner universities in Fiji, such as becoming a physician, nurse, public health practitioner, physiotherapist, medical laboratory scientist, radiographer, pharmacist, and more. Depending on their background, a graduate of the dental assistant training program might even be able to apply directly to our partner universities in Fiji. We want you to have a fulfilling career, and starting out as a dental assistant is a great way to do that.
applying alone or as part of the DDFT program
There are two paths to apply to the dental assistant program. You can apply to the dental assistant program by itself if you are currently working for government in the oral health field. See the applying page to learn more about how to do this. Or if you have applied and been accepted to the DDFT program, you can automatically be enrolled in the dental assistant program as well. Enrollment in the dental assistant training is not mandatory for DDFT students, but it does enhance your career prospects.
Ready to Start?
Learn more about how you can apply to the dental assistant program.