Dental Assisting

35 Weeks/765 Clock Hours which includes 225 Externship Hours / 135 Outside Additional Clock Hours / 26.5 Semester Credits. Springfield, IL: Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. East Peoria, IL and Moline, IL: Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The maximum number of students in a typical classroom is 35 and 20 in lab. Externship will always be taken last; all other modules can be taken in any order.

• Orientation and Introduction to Infection Control (75 clock hours lecture / 25 supervised lab / 25 additional outside clock hours / 4 credits): This module provides knowledge and understanding of infection control in dentistry, regulations, and guidelines for the dental practice occupational health and safety. Students will cover head and neck anatomy and the formation and development for all primary and permanent teeth. All students will have hands-on training in our three fully equipped operatories and laboratory and are expected to demonstrate competency in safety standards, infection control and dental anatomy.
• Restorative Dentistry and Dental Charting (50 clock hours lecture / 50 supervised lab / 25 additional outside clock hours / 4 credits): This module covers knowledge and understanding of patient information and assessment and the foundation of clinical dentistry. The student will cover the details of delivering dental care, hand instruments, hand pieces, moisture control, restorative materials/procedures and anesthesia. The module provides dental charting and drugs that are used in the dental field.
• Prosthodontics and Dental Lab Materials (50 clock hours lecture / 50 supervised lab / 25 additional outside clock hours / 4 credits): This module provides knowledge and understanding of dental materials and comprehensive dental care. The student will have the understanding of dental implants, provisional, fixed prosthodontics, laboratory materials/techniques and orthodontics, with emphasis on the role of the dental assistant in areas of oral pathology.
• Dental Radiology and Office Administration (50 clock hours lecture / 50 supervised lab / 25 additional outside clock hours / 4 credits): This module provides knowledge and clinical training for dental radiography concepts and techniques. Hands-on training is provided and students are expected to demonstrate competency with x-ray equipment and safety, x-ray film processing and intraoral x-rays. The student will gain understanding of telecommunication, appointment management on a computer, patient recall, inventory, account receivable, marketing the practice and legal/ethics issues, and taking and recording vital signs and emergency management.
• Dental Specialties and Preventative Dentistry (50 clock hours lecture / 50 supervised lab / 25 additional outside clock hours / 4 credits): This module provides knowledge and understanding on theory, background, procedures, and functions of the dental specialties, with emphasis on the role of the dental assistant in areas of pedodontics, endodontics, periodontics, and oral surgery. The student will gain knowledge of the dental assisting profession, oral health and prevention of dental disease.
• Dental Assisting Externship (225 clock hours externship / 5 credits): Externship is required for all students and must be completed to be eligible for graduation and to receive their diploma. To qualify, a student must have met the 2.0 G.P.A. and have an overall attendance of 90% in his or her medical modules. All work is performed under the direct supervision of licensed medical personnel at the site in cooperation with MTI's respective externship coordinator. Externs are not entitled to compensation.
• Employment Preparation Review (40 clock hours lecture / 10 additional outside clock hours / 1.5 credits): This course will focus on employment preparation and professionalism development.

The Hep B Vaccine will be provided, if needed, beginning in the first module.

Method of Payment

• Option 1: To obtain a personal loan, or pay by cash or check (there is a fee for checks returned for any reason).
• Option 2: Apply for Financial Aid (Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, etc.)
• Option 3: Obtain outside scholarships and/or grants from state and/or local agencies
• Option 4: Pay with a credit card (we accept VISA, MasterCard, and Discover)

MTI does not charge interest on self-pay balances payable to the school.

For Students Using VA Benefits

Midwest Technical Institute will not take any of the four following actions toward any student using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill (Ch. 33) or Veteran Readiness and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while their payment from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is pending to the educational institution:

• Prevent enrollment;
• Assess a late penalty fee;
• Require they secure alternative or additional funding;
• Deny access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

Total program tuition is $17,200 (tuition only; any fees billed separately).

Career Placement

The respective Program Director at MTI can provide assistance to currently enrolled students and graduates. Services include job placement assistance and guidance to students and graduates as they seek employment. If the student/graduate is planning to work in another state, the student/graduate is advised that each state has its own requirements. MTI cannot and does not guarantee a student can or will be licensed or registered for employment in any specific state and cannot and does not guarantee a student will obtain employment or will obtain a minimum starting wage. No one at MTI is authorized by the school to make any such guarantees. Students attending and graduating from MTI are responsible themselves to prepare and submit employment applications to prospective employers.

As a vocational school, general development is appropriate to the level of education MTI provides. Each program teaches life skills such as resume writing, professionalism, interview skills, etc., which will prepare the students for successful employment. Students are assisted with life skills, career development, budget, and personal financial planning skills as needed.

Student Services

As a vocational school, general development is appropriate to the level of education MTI provides. Students are assisted with life skills, career development, budget, and personal financial planning skills as needed.

Advising

Advice is available to students through academic and administrative personnel. The faculty and staff at MTI are professional men and women who are willing to devote the necessary time to students who seek individualized assistance. Each instructor is available to help a student resolve academic problems which may prohibit satisfactory progress. The respective Program Director may be consulted with any questions or concerns pertaining to a student's education.

Learning Resource Center

The Learning Resource Center facilities are available to students during regularly scheduled class hours under the supervision of an instructor. Books, periodicals, and reference material are to be used on school property only.

Housing

MTI will assist any student desiring to find housing while attending our school. Our student services department has a list of realtors and landlords.

Student Success Specialist (SSS)

The Student Success Specialist will have current listings for daycare listings, local housing, food banks, health and wellness, mental health resources, and transportation help.