Dental
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Get the skills to be a dental assistant in a friendly, hands-on environment. At Front Range Community College, you can learn to assist dentists in all aspects of dental care in just one year. Your helpful instructors will teach you about office management tasks to lab procedures. You'll gain firsthand experience at clinical experience sites around our campus or our on-campus Front Range Dental Clinic.
We also offer prerequisite courses for students who want to become dental hygienists. Get the knowledge you need with our expert professors and supportive environment.
Why Study Dental Assisting at Front Range Community College?
Become a dental assistant in one year in our accelerated program. We also offer a part-time option where you can finish the program in four semesters or two years.
As a dental assistant, you will be responsible for :
- Managing dental office records
- Making patient-centered care decisions
- Assisting dentists in clinical settings
- Completing laboratory procedures
- Taking x-ray images
- Preventing infections
- Maintaining a safe working environment
You'll learn these skills from our experienced professors in small classroom settings. You'll take your courses at Grays Peak, our brand-new Health Care Careers Center on the Larimer Campus. You'll practice your skills in our dental suite facilities, which include:
- Public clinic
- Skills lab
- X-ray area
- Sterilization area
You'll also apply what you learn through internships. During your two semesters, you'll work in a dental office or clinical setting, such as an oral surgery center.
You can be confident in the skills you build at FRCC. Our program is one of three programs in Colorado accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dentistry Association. You'll be ready to take and pass the Dental Assisting National Board Exam.
Program Details
Dental Assisting Certificate
Program Locations: Larimer
Total Credits: 43 credits (2 semesters)
Become a dental assistant who helps dentists with all aspects of patient care. In your courses, you'll learn skills that include:
- Office management
- Clinical assisting
- Laboratory procedures
- Dental X-rays
- Infection control
You'll also learn outside of the classroom with hands-on clinical experiences.
View Program DetailsLearn About Admissions Requirements
Dental Hygiene Prerequisites
Dental hygiene programs require general education courses as prerequisites. You can now take these at FRCC.
Below is a list of courses, dental hygiene programs typically require. Because dental hygiene programs are competitive and have application processes that are unique to each program and school, it is important to consult with your school of choice to ensure you are taking the general education courses they require.
| Course Number | Course Name |
| ENG 1021 | English Composition I, 3 credits |
| PSY 1001 | General Psychology I, 3 credits |
| BIO 2101 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab, 4 credits |
| COM 1150 | Public Speaking, 3 credits |
| BIO 2102 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab, 4 credits |
| BIO 2104 | Microbiology with Lab, 4 credits |
| SOC 1001 | Introduction to Sociology, 3 credits |
| CHE 1009* | General, Organic & Biochemistry, 4 credits |
*To meet the course requirements of all Colorado dental hygiene programs, you can take CHE 109/1009 at those colleges, or take CHE 101/1011 (5) and CHE 102/1012 (5).
*FRCC only offers CHE 1009 in the spring semester.
Careers & Outcomes
Your certificate program in dental assisting can open doors for an exciting career.
Special Admissions Requirements
Immunizations must be completed before starting work in clinical rotations.
- Tdap (within 10 years)
- Hepatitis B Series (three shots) or proof of immunity via a titer blood test)
- Measles, Mumps Rubella (MMR, two shots or proof of immunity via a titer blood test)
- 2 Varicella a.k.a. Chickenpox (proof of vaccination, immunity via a titer blood test)
- Seasonal influenza vaccine October – March
- COVID-19 vaccine series
Additional Requirements
Students must also hold American Heart Association BLS Provider CPR cards (valid for two years).
Discover Our Dental Assisting Program
Learn more about our dental assisting program, including stories from our graduates.