Dental Assisting

The Dental Assisting program will help students to develop satisfactory dental assisting skills and demonstrate competence in a variety of dental office procedures and laboratory techniques. The procedures and lab techniques include: preliminary examination procedure, assisting chair side using four-handed dentistry, charting, appointment scheduling, keeping patients records and sterilizing instruments. Graduates will be qualified to assume entry-level positions as a dental assistant in dental offices and clinics performing the lab techniques and office procedures described above. Looking for a career where you can work hands-on and help people every day? Dental assisting lets you play a key role in patient care, support dental teams, and be part of the smiles that matter most. A career as a dental assistant offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on oral health by supporting dentists, dental hygienists, and other dental professionals. Unitech Training Academy’s Dental Assisting program provides comprehensive hands-on education through a combination of practical labs, in-depth lectures, and real-world clinical experience at partnered dental offices, preparing students for a rewarding career in the dental field. This career path offers strong job stability, growth potential, and the satisfaction of improving patient care and overall health within the dental environment. Dental assistants play a key role in ensuring dental practices run smoothly by handling clinical and administrative tasks. They prepare patients for exams, sterilize instruments, take X-rays, assist during treatments, and manage patient records. They also help with scheduling, billing, and educating patients on oral hygiene and aftercare. As dental services and preventive care continue to be a great need in our communities, dental assisting offers a fulfilling career with opportunities for growth and advancement. Begin your journey in this essential healthcare field with Unitech! Gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and job training you need to succeed in the dental field.

• GED or high school diploma required
• Hybrid class schedules
• Dedicated exam prep classes to ensure certification readiness
• Financial aid options available to those who qualify

Students throughout Louisiana can enroll in this hybrid program at campuses in Baton Rouge, Houma and Lafayette. Our Dental Assisting program gives you the skills and real-world experience you need to kick-start your career in the dental field. With hands-on training and support from experienced instructors, you’ll build the confidence and knowledge to step into the workforce ready to make an impact.

Whether you're looking to start a new career or advance in the healthcare field, enrolling at Unitech is the first step toward achieving your goals! Our Dental Assisting program provides the opportunity to master patient care, dental procedures, safety protocols, and the technical skills necessary start in an entry-level position in the dental industry. Learn from experienced instructors who bring years of real-world expertise and create an engaging environment through both classroom instruction and hands-on practice in our labs.

In our Dental Assisting program, you'll gain valuable knowledge through both in-person classes and interactive labs, along with the opportunity for a clinical externship where you’ll apply your skills in a real-world dental office setting before graduation. Throughout your education, our dedicated instructors and career services team will be with you every step of the way. By completing the Dental Assisting program, you'll acquire the critical skills and immersive learning experience needed to begin your career and pave the way for your journey in the dental industry. At Unitech Training Academy, you’re never just a number—and you’re never alone. No matter what program you’re in and whether you’re learning on campus in Louisiana or online across Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama, you’ll have real instructors, hands-on training, and a team that’s with you from day one. Our programs are designed to be efficient and focused, helping you build career-ready skills without wasting time. Unitech Training Academy was granted a license by the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on April 24, 1997, beginning with one program, Certified Nursing Assistant. It is licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Regents and has been accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education since June 2003. Its main campus is in Lafayette, with branch campuses in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Houma, New Orleans and West Monroe.

Anyone interested in enrolling should contact the nearest campus to schedule an appointment. Requirements for admission:

• Be at least 17 years of age.
• Hold a valid high school diploma or equivalent (GED or valid home school credential).
• Successfully complete an admissions interview with appropriate personnel.
• Foreign high school credentials must be verified as equivalent to a U.S. high school credential by an agency approved by the institution.
• Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency with official scores on TOEFL Essentials (8.5 or higher), TOEFL iBT (79 or higher), IELTS (6.5 or higher) or PTE Academic (53 or higher).

Online and hybrid students must have internet connectivity and a computer meeting the school’s requirements: preferably less than 5 years old, a valid email address, color monitor, speakers or headphones, 4 GB of RAM, 1 GB of free disk space, a broadband connection (DSL or cable recommended), the Chrome browser with cookies and JavaScript enabled and pop-up blocker off, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and word processing software (Microsoft Office preferred; OpenOffice and Google Docs are acceptable).

Catalog schedule. Day Session: Training will be delivered in-person from 8:30am until 1:30pm Monday through Thursday. In addition, a total of 5 hours of distance education must be completed between Friday and Sunday. Estimated time to completion: 6 months. Evening Session: Training will be delivered in-person from 5:30pm until 8:30pm Monday through Wednesday. In addition, a total of 11 hours of distance education must be completed between Thursday and Sunday. Estimated time to completion: 7.5 months.

By campus, the program page lists:

• Day (Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Houma, Lafayette, New Orleans): Monday-Thursday on campus - 8:30am-1:30pm; Fridays are virtual; 20 hours on campus, 5 hours virtual weekly; Can be completed in 6 months
• Evening (Baton Rouge): Monday-Wednesday on campus - 5:30pm-8:30pm; Thursdays & Fridays virtual; 9 hours on campus, 11 hours virtual weekly; Can be completed in 7.5 months

Campuses. Unitech’s Dental Assisting program is offered at the Baton Rouge, Houma and Lafayette campuses.

Format. Unitech’s hybrid programs are offered at our six physical campuses across Louisiana, blending the structure of inperson learning with the flexibility of online coursework. Students attend campus 3 to 4 days a week, depending on whether they’re in a day or evening program (evening availability may vary by campus), while virtual assignments and hours are completed independently and due each Sunday. The online portion of the program is designed to reinforce what you learn in class—helping you solidify your knowledge and apply it confidently in hands-on settings. With a structured schedule and instructor guidance, you’ll stay on track while building skills that translate directly into the real world.

Tuition: $10,450.00; registration: $150.00; lab equipment: $200.00; total: $10,800.00.

Graduates will be qualified to assume entry-level positions as a dental assistant in dental offices and clinics performing the lab techniques and office procedures described above.

Career Services. Unitech provides career services for all graduates who seek employment. Services may include employment orientation before graduation (interviews, resumes, appointments, dress, appearance and applications), help with applications and employment forms, efforts to provide interviews with prospective employers, contacts with employers to identify job openings, and information about employment opportunities with local, state and federal agencies.

The program pages describe how Career Services works with students:

• Admissions Tours and Early Engagement: Career Services partners with Admissions during campus tours to introduce support resources such as resume help and job placement assistance.
• Orientation Presentation: during orientation, students learn how Career Services will support them throughout their program.
• Midpoint Assessment and Career Planning: around the program midpoint, students complete a career assessment that coordinators use to guide personalized planning.
• Resume Development: resume building begins 60 days before graduation, with templates and one-on-one support.
• Mock Interviews and Professionalism Coaching: before clinicals, students take part in mock interviews and receive feedback.
• Professional Seminars and Career Development: students attend four seminars on job readiness, professionalism, and workplace expectations.

Unitech Training Academy cannot guarantee or promise employment; however, reasonable efforts will be made to assist the student in securing employment. Who will be hired depends on the employer, who is influenced by factors such as training, character, attendance/punctuality, personality traits, appearance, work ethic, dependability, and the ability to easily converse with others.

A career as a dental assistant requires a strong knowledge of dental procedures and practices in addition to the ability to offer skilled, compassionate assistance to both patients and the dental team. As a dental assistant, you’ll take on a variety of essential tasks, such as:

• Preparing patients for exams & procedures
• Assisting dentists during treatments & surgeries
• Sterilizing instruments & maintaining a safe environment
• Taking X-rays & ensuring proper imaging
• Mixing, administering, & inspecting dental impressions
• Managing records & scheduling appointments
• Educating patients on oral hygiene & aftercare

As a dental assistant, you'll need strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with dental professionals, such as dentists, hygienists, and office staff, as well as interact with patients. Dental assistants work in a variety of settings, with duties that can vary depending on the type of dental practice – ranging from private dental offices and specialized orthodontic or pediatric clinics to larger dental practices and even hospitals. Wherever dental care is provided, dental assistants are essential members of the team.

Your future in dental assisting starts here—check out what’s ahead:

• A Rewarding Career: Ongoing medical research highlights the crucial connection between oral health and overall well-being. As a dental assistant, you’ll play a key role in improving patients' overall health, beginning with their dental visits.
• Career Advancement Opportunities: Dental assistants can expand their skills and specialize in areas such as orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, or oral surgery, offering numerous opportunities for growth and continued education.

There is an externship required for the program, which gives students the opportunity to work in real-world dental settings within the local community. You can step into the dental field with confidence—your 60-hour externship at a partner site gives you real patient experience before you even graduate. This experience will not only provide valuable hands-on experience but also help you build professional connections and secure strong job references.

Our Dental Assisting program teaches students how to support dentists during procedures and provide quality patient care. It covers basic chairside assisting techniques, infection control, and dental office operations. You’ll also learn how to use specialized dental equipment and software, such as digital X-rays and tools used for sterilization and impressions.

Orientation and support. All new students complete an orientation session before the start of class; orientations are conducted online and students are allotted two days to complete them. Instructors offer individualized tutoring on request, with before- and after-school assistance available.

Graduation. Candidates for graduation complete all program requirements with a minimum GPA of 2.00 within 1.5 times the standard program length, meet the minimum skill requirements, complete any required externship, return school property and fulfill all financial obligations. A diploma is awarded on completion.

Clinical rotation/externship. Clinical rotations/externships are an integral part of training in applicable programs and are subject to the same academic and attendance policies. Sites must be approved by Unitech, and some may require additional background checks, drug screens, TB tine, hepatitis vaccine and current CPR certification. Students must be prepared to travel; the school attempts to assign sites within a 60-mile radius, and students are required to attend 100% of required clinical hours.