Dental Assistant is a Certificate program offered by Traviss Technical College in Lakeland, FL. The program takes 1,230 clock hours to complete, with a total tuition of $3,592.
Program Overview
Dental Assistant – 1,230 hours. This program prepares students to assist the dentist in all facets of the office. Local on-site dental clinic with an oral surgeon and a general dentist and dental offices provide chair-side experience.
Activities include taking dental images, assisting at chair-side, and knowing sterilization procedures, business office procedures and inventory control. Students also learn to make temporary crowns and bridges and all expanded functions, as well as polishing teeth and oral healthcare education to include proper brushing and flossing techniques.
What sets this Program apart
Laboratory activities. Laboratory activities are an integral part of this program. The instructional processes, tools and materials used in this laboratory are similar to those used in industry.
Occupational Completion Points. This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of three Occupational Completion Points. OCPs provide a student with early completion training options linked to employment opportunities established by the Florida Department of Education based on the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system and accepted industry titles.
Commission on Dental Accreditation review. The Dental Assisting Program is scheduled for a Commission on Dental Accreditation site visit on April 6-7, 2027. Interested parties may submit comments directly to CODA regarding the program’s compliance with accreditation standards; comments must be received by CODA no later than February 5, 2027.
Admission Requirements and Process
Eligibility. This program is available for adult students who are 18 years of age or older, who are interested in Technical College education for employment purposes and/or continuing their education at a postsecondary education institution. Students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis following a Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) assessment, if applicable, and/or the TEAS test, and an interview with a Counselor at Traviss. Students must be able to attend school regularly and to participate satisfactorily in the activities of this program.
Adult (postsecondary) procedures. Take the CASAS GOALS assessment ($20 fee and picture identification are required before testing); it is required for all programs 450 hours and over, and a student who graduated from a Florida public high school (graduation year 2007-present) with a standard diploma or possessed an associate degree or higher from a SACS accredited, or equivalent institution is exempt. Interview with the appropriate counselor to interpret test scores and discuss educational plans, entry date, tuition, and fees; register for the program by completing an application; then apply for financial assistance if applicable and/or pay tuition and fees.
Health Science programs. Applicants desiring entry into the Technical College Health Science Education programs must complete all admission criteria specific to the health program selected and meet all general admission requirements. Specific program information is provided at mandatory scheduled information sessions after the application process is completed. Background screening is required for most health science programs. Certain offenses may prevent students from obtaining clinical hours needed for completion of a Health Science Program.
General Requirements
- AgeBe 18 years of age or older.
- CASAS GOALS assessmentTake the CASAS GOALS assessment ($20 fee and picture identification are required before testing). It is required for all programs 450 hours and over; Florida public high school…
- Counselor interviewInterview with the appropriate counselor to interpret test scores and discuss educational plans, entry date, tuition, and fees.
- Florida residency for in-state tuitionStudents claiming Florida residency must provide two documents proving Florida residency for the past twelve months, such as a Florida driver license or state ID, voter…
- AttendanceStudents must be able to attend school regularly and to participate satisfactorily in the activities of this program.
- Background screeningBackground screening is required for most health science programs; certain offenses may prevent students from obtaining clinical hours needed for completion of a Health Science…
- TEASStudents are accepted following a CASAS assessment, if applicable, and/or the TEAS test, and an interview with a Counselor.
Application Process
- 1Take the CASAS GOALS assessmentTake the CASAS GOALS assessment ($20 fee and picture identification are required before testing). It is required for all programs 450 hours and over, with exemptions for Florida public high school graduates (2007-present) with a standard diploma and holders of an associate degree or higher.
- 2Interview with a counselorInterview with the appropriate counselor to interpret test scores; discuss educational plans, entry date, tuition, and fees.
- 3Register for the programRegister for the program by completing an application. Each school has its own application, deadlines, and required documentation; students pay a $30 non-refundable application fee. After acceptance, students must complete the registration process by providing additional documentation.
- 4Complete the FAFSAStudents who wish to apply for Financial Aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once the application is submitted, wait three business days for it to be processed. Traviss Technical College’s Federal School Code is 014706.FAFSA Code for Lakeland: 014706FAFSA
- 5Ask about this programSome programs may require additional steps and/or a formal interview with an additional staff member for admission. Use Request Information to ask about deadlines for this program.
Program Schedule
Class times at Traviss Technical College, 3225 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland, FL.
- Monday-Friday: 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Note. Clinical hours vary.
Attendance. An adult student may be withdrawn from school if the student is absent five (5) consecutive days and has not initiated a Leave of Absence request or misses 45 hours in a semester. Attendance requirements in programs that lead to licensure may be stricter than the Colleges’ overall attendance policy.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name |
|---|---|
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Traviss Technical College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE).
Traviss Technical College is part of Polk County Public Schools; its student grievance procedure names the Council on Occupational Education as the institution’s accrediting agency.
Accreditations
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Published program cost. The program page lists the cost at Traviss as FL Resident: $7,071; Non-Resident: $20,884. Of the Florida-resident figure, tuition at $2.92 per clock hour is $3,591.60; the rest covers program costs such as lab fees, books, uniforms, certification and licensure, student organization and background or medical requirements, which vary by program.
Tuition and residency. The Polk County School Board, within the guidelines set forth by the Florida Legislature, approves tuition fee schedules for Ridge & Traviss Technical Colleges. For Florida residents, tuition fees for a workforce Education Certificate Program are assessed at a rate of $2.92 per hour. Non-Florida residents are assessed a rate of $14.15 per hour. A student must live in the state of Florida for twelve (12) months before establishment of Florida Residency.
Additional costs. Additional costs include purchase of all required texts, uniforms, shoes, and license or certification fees, where appropriate, and certain personal materials, tools and equipment as determined by the area of training. A criminal background check and drug screening is required on some programs. All students are given the basic student accident insurance through a carrier approved by the Polk County School Board.
Application fee. Students pay a $30 non-refundable application fee.
Financial aid. Financial aid is available for all students who qualify and enroll in an approved technical college education training program. The financial aid offered at the college consists of Title IV Federal Pell Grant, Florida Student Assistance Grant, Florida Work Experience Program, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, Student Financial Aid Fund, private scholarships, and assistance. Nearly 90% of our students qualify for some form of financial aid. Traviss Technical College’s Federal School Code is 014706.
Open Door Grant. The Open Door Grant is available at Ridge and Traviss Technical College for short-term and technical education credentialing courses: the student is responsible for the first one-third of the tuition at the time of enrollment, and the Open Door Scholarship Program pays the remaining two-thirds if the student successfully completes the course and provides the results of their industry certification.
Refunds. If a class is canceled, a student’s enrollment is denied, or a student withdraws on or prior to the first class, tuition is refunded 100% and all fees except the application fee. If a student withdraws after the first-class meeting, tuition is refunded 75% and fees are not refunded. No refunds will be provided after the fifth (5th) class meeting.
Curriculum
Total Program Length: 1,230 Hours. The program includes the following courses, grouped by Occupational Completion Point (OCP).
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Total |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Career outlook. This program prepares students to assist the dentist in all facets of the office.
Wages. This occupation has an average wage of $22.44 per hour, based on the Florida Occupational Employment and Wages for Polk County which reflects the earning potential of an experienced Dental Assistant. The entry-level salary averages approximately $18.86 per hour.
Licensure and certification. After successfully passing all three Dental Assisting National Board Exams and successfully completing this program, students receive a program Certificate of Completion that includes certification in Dental Radiology and Expanded Functions. Graduates passing all three board exams will have earned the right to use the title Certified Dental Assistant. Graduates are eligible to apply to for the AAS in Dental Assisting at selected colleges.
Credential. Certificates of Completion are awarded after completing 100% of the total standard hours of a career education program; an Occupational Completion Point (OCP) Accomplishment Award marks an exit point prior to program completion.
What to expect as a Traviss Technical College student
Director’s welcome. At Traviss Technical, all students engage in purposeful learning and relevant hands-on training utilizing industry specific technology and standards. Students are held accountable for developing and demonstrating soft skills, especially problem-solving, teamwork, dependability, work ethic, integrity, and effective communication skills. Each program we offer has an active advisory board that is made up of local businessmen and women that help guide our instructor’s curriculum to ensure our training is relevant in the industry.
Mission. Traviss Technical College educates and prepares students for success in a changing workplace.
Vision. Traviss Technical College leads and challenges students by providing accredited, affordable, career education; evaluating and revising curriculum to reflect the changing needs of business; offering training and job placement for Polk County’s workforce; promoting articulation among high schools, technical colleges and colleges; and fostering continuing education for the faculty and staff.
Student organizations. Traviss Technical College sponsors CECF/BPA, the Dental Assisting Society, Future Builders of America, HOSA, the National Technical Honor Society, SkillsUSA and the Traviss Ambassadors, who serve as examples and coaches to their fellow students and as greeters and tour guides to prospective students.
Free interview training. Students are offered Big Interview, an online system that combines training AND practice to help improve your interview technique and build your confidence.
Fifty years of service. Traviss Technical College has a long history of service to the students of Polk County... more than 50 years!
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