Dental Assistant is a Diploma program (Hybrid) offered by Delta College South in Baton Rouge, LA. The program takes 7.5 months to complete, with a total tuition of $14,950.
Program Overview
This program is designed to prepare students for employment as entry level dental assistants in dental offices and clinics or to provide supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in these or other dental auxiliary occupations. The program content includes, but is not limited to, chair side dental assisting skills, interpersonal skills, CPR, AIDS awareness & prevention, OSHA awareness, dental specialties, office & communication skills, and oral hygiene by a combination of theory and hands-on instruction.
Dental assistants work alongside dentists and other dental professionals to help provide patient care and keep treatment areas organized and ready. Students learn about chairside assisting during dental procedures, preparing instruments and treatment areas, sterilization and infection control, and dental imaging and patient care.
Graduates of Delta College's accredited Dental Assistant program are eligible to sit for the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) examination if they choose to pursue that credential. Students also have the opportunity to earn Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) certification during the program.
This program is available in both traditional and hybrid delivery. Hybrid students must attend face-to-face on campus and via distance education as prescribed by the institutional personnel’s instructional calendar and course outlines. Externship is held just the same for both traditional and hybrid delivery.
What sets this Program apart
Advantages of Attending Delta College South in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
- Job Placement Assistance
- Externship
- Quality Instructors
- Affordable Tuition
- 7 1/2 Month Day Classes
- Licensed by the LA Board of Regents
- Accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE)
- Financial Aid available to those who qualify
- TOPS Eligible
Admission Requirements and Process
Requirements for admission to the career programs at Delta College South include being at least 17 years of age to start, a high school diploma or equivalent, and a successful personal interview. Some majors may have additional admissions criteria, and some additional immunization requirements may be deemed necessary by clinical sites. Valid home education credentials are accepted; please contact the college Admissions Department for details.
Institutional admissions requirements must be met by all hybrid students. In addition, hybrid students must attend face-to-face on campus and via distance education as prescribed by the institutional personnel’s instructional calendar and course outlines, as reviewed during the admissions interview process; all technical requirements outlined in the program must be met to be eligible for enrollment; and hybrid students are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
General Requirements
- Minimum ageApplicants must be at least 17 years of age to start and 18 years of age at the anticipated graduation date; applicants under 18 must have parental approval (signature) prior to…
- High school diploma or equivalentApplicants must be a high school graduate or equivalent, such as a GED or valid home education credential; foreign high school diplomas must be verified as equivalent to a U.S.…
- Personal interviewApplicants must successfully complete a personal interview with appropriate college personnel.
- Citizenship or legal statusApplicants must be a US citizen or legal immigrant in possession of appropriate documentation, or an exception per federal rules and regulations such as DACA.
- ImmunizationsApplicants must be current with all required immunizations, including 2 MMRs (or titers showing immunity) and a Tetanus booster every 10 years; a negative Mantoux (TB) test is…
- Laptop and internet accessDental Assistant, Medical Assistant and Medical Office and Health Information Technician students must possess a functioning laptop and internet connectivity; a laptop may be…
- Hybrid attendance and technical requirementsHybrid students must attend face-to-face on campus and via distance education as prescribed by the instructional calendar and course outlines, and must meet all technical…
Application Process
- 1Start your applicationFill out the online application form to start your application process with the admissions team; they will review your submission and reach out to answer any questions you may have.
- 2Schedule an admissions interviewContact the college to arrange an appointment for an interview; parents, spouse, or other interested parties should accompany the applicant.
- 3Complete the interviewDuring the interview, the applicant answers questions about their vocational interests and career aspirations to ensure they have the ability to successfully pursue their studies.
- 4Financial aid interviewBased on the results of the interview, the applicant moves on to complete a financial aid interview with the financial aid officer.
- 5Enroll and attend orientationOnce the applicant completes the enrollment process, makes satisfactory payment arrangements, completes orientation, is issued books/supplies and is scheduled for classes, he/she is considered a regular student.
Program Schedule
Approximate completion time: 7 1/2 months (day classes).
Student externships are scheduled during hours which fall in the normal working schedule of the health care facilities to which the student is assigned. Make-up time for Medical Assistant, Medical Office and Health Information Technician and Dental Assistant students is completed during a clinic, usually on a Friday 8:30 – 3:00.
Most of our classes are conducted Monday through Thursday. Most of our programs start every six weeks; check with the campus for upcoming start dates. No specific future start dates are published.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Tuition. $14,950 for the program. Textbooks and most required supplies are included in the tuition of all programs; incidental supplies such as paper, notebooks, pens, pencils and linens are the responsibility of the student. A student wishing to supply their own textbooks may be able to do so and receive a tuition credit.
Application Fee. Each applicant is charged an Application Fee of $100 upon enrollment.
Technology Fee. $750, billed throughout the duration of the student’s enrollment. This fee ensures students continue to have access to all electronic resources associated with the student’s program.
Additional expenses not covered by tuition. White athletic or nurses shoes $10.00 - $80.00; laptop $250.00 - $400.00.
Other fees. Repetition fee $50 per course; daily class or lab make-up fee $20 per occurrence; additional sealed transcript $10.
Financial aid. Delta College South coordinates a variety of programs of financial aid for entering and continuing students. Each student will receive a personal interview with a financial aid officer to determine what programs will best fit their needs, and each student fills out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Speak with your admissions representative about setting up a personal financial aid interview when you come in for a tour of the campus.
Financial aid opportunities for those who qualify.
- PELL Grants
- Federal Student Loans
- Vocational Rehab VOCREHAB
- VA Chapter 33
- VA VOC Rehab
- WIOA
- MJ Foster Promise
- TOPS Tech
- Chafee TEV Program (YAP)
- Americorps
- Bright Horizons ED Assist Solutions
- Various Private Scholarships (employer, local, state, regional and national)
Federal School Code. 033563.
Veterans. For students using Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, the school will not prevent enrollment, assess a late penalty fee, require alternative funding, or deny access to resources while payment from the VA is pending.
Payment plans. Delta students may take advantage of tuition assistance opportunities including WIA, Vocational Rehabilitation, Veterans Benefits, private tuition loans and college-administered payment plans.
Curriculum
The Dental Assistant diploma program totals 44 quarter credits and 786 hours. Subjects are evaluated in terms of collegiate Quarter Hours of credit: 1 quarter hour of credit equals 10 class periods of lecture, 20 class periods of lab work, or 30 class periods of externship/clinic time.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
This program is designed to prepare students for employment as entry level dental assistants in dental offices and clinics.
Louisiana workforce projections estimate approximately 560 openings for Dental Assistants each year from 2024 to 2034. Dental assistants commonly work in general and specialty dental practices and can be a good fit for students who enjoy hands-on work and interacting directly with patients.
Graduates may pursue opportunities in.
- General dental offices
- Pediatric dental practices
- Orthodontic offices
- Oral surgery practices
- Periodontal offices
- Endodontic practices
- Public health clinics
- Specialty dental clinics
Occupation (SOC): Dental Assistant, 31-9091.
What to expect as a Delta College South student
Career training is about more than learning concepts in a classroom. Students need opportunities to develop the skills and confidence they will use in professional environments.
Programs at the Baton Rouge South campus emphasize.
- Hands-on practice and skill development
- Workplace procedures and professional expectations
- Communication with patients, clients, and coworkers
- Building confidence through guided instruction
This practical approach helps students prepare for the transition from training to the workplace.
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Delta College South is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. The Commission of the Council on Occupational Education is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Delta College South is licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Regents and adheres to the rules and regulations of the Louisiana Proprietary Schools Advisory Commission.
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Testimonials
Images
