Dental Assistant program revised 2017
Overview
As a student in the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Dental Assisting program, you will receive a quality education in a state-of-the-art facility for a career in a growing field where your influence and expertise will positively affect patient lives on a daily basis.
The CWI Dental Assisting program includes classroom and hands-on skills training to support dentists with various types of patient care, office duties, and laboratory work. This training at CWI is accredited nationally through the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Your training will qualify you for examinations to become a Certified Dental Assistant, a certification that is recognized nationally.
The Dental Assisting program at CWI offers you two pathways for your future career as a Dental Assistant:
- An Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC) where you complete a semester of pre-requisites then two semesters of Dental Assisting classes.
- An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree where you complete the ITC with an additional summer class and semester of courses, to receive an AAS in addition to the ITC.
Review the Plan of Study for your desired pathway or talk to an Advisor for details
Career Outlook
- Typical annual earnings in Idaho for a Dental Assistant - $35,303 – Idaho Department of Labor
- The Dental Assistant field is expected to grow by 11% between 2020 and 2030. – Bureau of Labor Statistics
Please note, the Dental Assisting program no longer requires a supplemental application process. You are encouraged to review the Plan of Study for your desired pathway and meet with an advisor with questions or for guidance.
Healthcare Information Sessions
Want to learn more about this program and other healthcare programs at CWI? Join a Healthcare Information Session to learn about the programs, what you can do to prepare for the programs, meet advisors and instructors, and ask questions.
Statement of Accreditation
The Dental Assisting Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC) at College of Western Idaho is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611-2678
312.440.4653
www.ada.org/coda
Mission
CWI's Dental Assisting Program provides students with the knowledge and skills to succeed as a dental health care professional. As a Nationally accredited program, we promote learning, leading to credentialing in dental assisting.
Respectful Community
The College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status. More on Title IX
News and Blogs
College of Western Idaho invites anyone interested in or thinking about pursuing a career in healthcare to attend the 2022 Health Professions Open House Tuesday, Nov. 1.
Members of the College's Dental Assisting program spent Wednesday, Sept. 12, volunteering during the Amen Free Clinic at Expo Idaho!
The CWI Foundation received a $2,000 grant from the John William Jackson Fund.
The CWI Certified Dental Assisting program volunteered to help provide free dental care to 35 women.
For the third consecutive year, students from CWI’s Dental Assisting program helped promote oral health to 500 students at Koelsch Elementary School.
The CWI Dental Assisting Program visited Koelsch Elementary, April 23, in support of the school’s annual Health/Career Fair.