Dental Assistant
New! Coming 2023 Winter Quarter
The Dental Assisting Program prepares students to enter the healthcare workforce as Dental Assistants who are competent in the provision of safe, ethical and effective care, as well as a valuable team member for the front office.
The program features modern equipment and highly skilled faculty and staff. Students learn to utilize current technology and techniques to facilitate the learning of dental assisting skills in our full-service dental clinic.
Graduates have excellent job placement rates, with many students having jobs before graduation in pediatric dentistry, periodontics, preventive dentistry, community and non-profit clinics, and education and research sectors. The program offers online course work and hands-on patient experiences one day a week beginning in 2023 Winter and Summer quarters. Pre-arranged clinical externships will provide private practice and community clinic experiences.
Dental Assistant Program Highlights
- Full-service dental clinic that is open to the public and provides students with ample opportunity to work with patients in a clinical setting
- Students participate in prearranged externships within the community
- Students are knowledgeable with general dental procedures and restorative materials
- Curriculum prepares students to become a Registered Dental Assistant in Washington state
- Provides students with high quality didactic and clinical education in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills of Dental Assisting
- Program credits are transferrable to LWTech’s Health Sciences Associates of Applied Science Transfer degree
Additional Dental Assisting Program Information
Entry into this program requires completion of an admissions application.
Students entering the Dental Assistant program will be required to attend the program orientation (see the Program Orientation tab below for more information).
Additional Admission Considerations
- International Students Apply via Office of International Programs & Global Education
- Adult Education: Basic Education for Adults (BEdA)
- New to Washington State: Learn more about determining residency status
- Justice Involved: Re-Entry Support for Students Who Have Been Justice Involved
- Undocumented citizens: See the residency affidavit and visit the undocumented students page for more information.
Not Sure Where to Start?
These helpful sessions present an overview of the program and explain the admission process. Each information session lasts approximately one hour.
Attendance is highly recommended for all prospective students. Click on each date below to join the information session via Microsoft Teams.
Program Information Session Dates
Thursday, February 23, 2023
10 a.m.
- Join with Meeting ID and Passcode:
- Meeting ID: 238 848 564 783
- Passcode: GkKuvR
- Or call in (audio only)
- +1 253-527-0770,,119319984# United States, Tacoma
- Phone Conference ID: 119 319 984#
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
3:30 p.m.
- Join with Meeting ID and Passcode:
- Meeting ID: 217 048 382 01
- Passcode: y7XQhQ
- Or call in (audio only)
- +1 253-527-0770,,906521841# United States, Tacoma
- Phone Conference ID: 906 521 841#
Thursday, April 20, 2023
10 a.m.
- Join with Meeting ID and Passcode:
- Meeting ID: 293 808 812 686
- Passcode: aTkTXh
- Or call in (audio only)
- +1 253-527-0770,,82717469# United States, Tacoma
- Phone Conference ID: 827 174 69#
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
3:30 p.m.
- Join with Meeting ID and Passcode:
- Meeting ID: 296 566 043 017
- Passcode: uFxPJM
- Or call in (audio only)
- +1 253-527-0770,,600313024# United States, Tacoma
- Phone Conference ID: 600 313 024#
Thursday, May 25, 2023
10 a.m.
- Join with Meeting ID and Passcode:
- Meeting ID: 253 047 665 130
- Passcode: VZTotN
- Or call in (audio only)
- +1 253-527-0770,,429806215# United States, Tacoma
- Phone Conference ID: 429 806 215#
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
3:30 p.m.
- Join with Meeting ID and Passcode:
- Meeting ID: 248 898 383 615
- Passcode: yoYypC
- Or call in (audio only)
- +1 253-527-0770,,683884867# United States, Tacoma
- Phone Conference ID: 683 884 867#
Thursday, June 22, 2023
10 a.m.
- Join with Meeting ID and Passcode:
- Meeting ID: 289 595 514 775
- Passcode: 9Pcr2L
- Or call in (audio only)
- +1 253-527-0770,,135601162# United States, Tacoma
- Phone Conference ID: 135 601 162#
Microsoft Teams Help
- Teams can be used on a computer, tablet, or smartphone or you can call in.
- Teams does not require registering for an account.
- Visit Teams Support for more information and help videos.
LWTech General Information Sessions
Not sure what program you want to apply to? Check out LWTech's general information sessions and weekly tours by going to LWTech.edu/Visit.
Accepted candidates are required to have a physical and eye exam, as well as provide proof of immunizations. Accepted candidates are required to provide proof of immunizations.
| Immunization | Requirement | Documentation Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B | 3 dose series within the last 10 years OR positive titer showing immunity | Lab results |
| Tuberculin test | 2-step tuberculin test OR QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube test (GFT-GIT) showing no active TB (must be done before entering the program) | Two negative test or lab results [Note: TB test is positive, it is necessary to have a chest x-ray and a TB Assessment signed by a healthcare provider] |
| Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) | Positive titer showing immunity | Lab results |
| Varicella (chickenpox) | Positive titer showing immunity | Lab results |
| Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis | 1-dose within the last two years or TD within 10 years | Vaccine record |
| COVID vaccination | Must have full vaccination (2 weeks past final 1 or 2-dose series) before beginning the program | Vaccine record (boosters may be required every 6 months) |
Additional documentation may be required for Dental Assistants students to participate in clinical settings. Documentation may include but is not limited to:
- Tuberculosis screening
- Verification of Immunizations
- Background check
- Drug Screening
- First aid/CPR for healthcare provider’s card
Students enrolled in the Dental Assisting program are required to attend the program orientation to go over policies and procedures regarding physical exam, vision exam, immunizations, and other requirements related to being a healthcare provider.
Dental Assistant Program Orientation Dates
Orientation for Winter Quarter 2023
- Date: January 6, 2023
- Time: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Location: East Building, E114
Orientation for Summer Quarter 2023
- Date: June 30, 2023
- Time: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Location: East Building, E114
Explore Careers and Paths in Dental Assisting
To learn more about transferring to another college or university, please visit our Transferring from LWTech page.
