Employment for dental assistants and dental hygienists is expected to grow by 31-38% by 2020 according to the Department of Labor and Statistics. West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) offers these programs to prepare students for the expanding dental workforce. Anyone interested in these programs must apply for the fall semester by March 1, 2013.
The Dental Assisting program at WKCTC prepares the student to function as a dental assistant under the supervision of a dentist. As a member of the dental health team, the dental assistant is responsible for providing such services as assisting the dentist with operative and surgical procedures, manipulation of dental materials, taking radiographs, providing oral health instructions and performing office management tasks.
WKCTC students who earn a diploma in dental assisting will be certified in radiation health and safety, coronal polishing and expanded duties (lab competency) and be eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The dental assisting program includes over 900 hours of instruction and 300 hours of experience in a dental office. The one-year program provides comprehensive educational experiences through lectures, clinical externship rotations, laboratory and related study, all taught by experienced Certified Dental Assistants.
The Dental Hygiene program is offered through Henderson Community College via interactive television on the WKCTC campus. The program prepares the student to function as dental hygienists on a dental auxiliary team under the supervision of a dentist. Students can earn an Associate in Applied Science degree from HCC and will be eligible to take the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination and state/regional board examinations leading to licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist. The two-year program provides comprehensive educational experiences through lectures, clinical, and related study in order that students may apply scientific knowledge in the performance of dental hygiene procedures.
Anyone interested in a career in dental assisting or dental hygiene, please contact WKCTC Dental Assisting Program Coordinator Jennifer Miller at 270-534-3393 or email her at jennifer.miller@kctcs.edu.