(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is accepting applications for the FAST Trac dental assistant program.
Classes are scheduled to begin September 12 and continue through December 12. Classes will be held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at TSTC’s East Abilene campus located at 650 E. Highway 80.
“The program prepares students for entry-level positions in one of the fastest-growing health care positions, dental assisting,” said Cindy Brunett, TSTC’s executive director of workforce training. “It will cover key areas and topics, exposing the students to both classroom and hands-on instruction.”
The classroom instruction includes the anatomy, terminology, legal and ethical issues, as well as policies and guidelines, necessary to understanding the scope of the practice and practical aspects of dental assisting. Topics will include instrument identification, equipment maintenance, tooth structure, oral cavity anatomy, dental anesthesia, sterilization and charting.
“Students will learn the steps necessary to assist the dentist while providing quality dental care within the community,” Brunett said. “The program includes a review of tooth charting; restorations; bridge implants; bitewing, panograph and periapical X-rays; and the mixing of dental cement.”
Students will complete 100 contact hours and 40 hours in the clinical setting.
“The contact-hour course includes a CPR certification course and covers the relevant material necessary to prepare students to take the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners dental assisting exam,” Brunett said.
The need for dental assistants is among the fastest-growing job sectors in health care. According to onetonline.org, the need for dental assistants is expected to increase 36% in Texas by 2028. The average salary for a dental assistant in Texas is $37,360, the website stated.
For more information about the program, email workforcetraining@tstc.edu.
For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
