Application acceptance dates for Fall 2022 program start to be posted shortly. Please check back. Space is limited to 18 students per calendar year and is conducted on a first come first serve basis.
All accepted applicants are required to attend a mandatory orientation meeting. Non-attendance to the orientation meeting disqualifies you for entrance into the program. The day and time of the mandatory orientation meeting will be posted at a later date.
Interested in a health career? Virtual Healthcare Sessions If so, please attend one of our Zoom information sessions to learn how to submit a competitive application to one of our many exciting health programs. No RSVP required! Please use this link to join us https://zoom.us/j/466862638 on one of the scheduled dates.
Overview
CWI's state-of-the-art Dental Assisting facility is located in the Ada County Campus Quail Building!
Do you enjoy working with people, have an eye for detail, and want to improve the quality of life for others? If so, Dental Assisting may be the career for you. As a Dental Assistant, you will have the opportunity to interact with people on a daily basis as you support dentists with various types of patient care, office duties, and laboratory work. Training can be completed in just 11 months (contingent on completing clinical hours).
WHAT IF you had a fulfilling career as a Dental Assistant where your influence and expertise positively affected patient lives on a daily basis?
What You Will Learn to Do
- Assist in chair-side duties—pass instruments and medication
- Maintain treatment rooms and assist in dental-care delivery
- Take and process x-rays
- Sterilize and maintain instruments
- Pour models of teeth
- Prepare dental materials and mix restorative materials
- Arrange appointments
- Manage the dental office and perform bookkeeping
- Promote oral hygiene and public health
- Understand and use dental terminology
- Communicate professionally, both in person and in writing
Additional Opportunities
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for Dental Assistants is expected to increase up to 18% between the years 2014–2024. The national median annual salary for dental assistants in 2015 was $35,980.
Graduates are eligible to take the certification exam given by the Dental Assisting National Board and the five Idaho Expanded Function Exams.
The Dental Assisting program officially starts once a year in the fall semester. However, there is a “soft start” option for our spring semester. Our “soft start” option allows you to ease into the program by taking DENT 108 while continuing to complete your required general education courses (COMM 101 and/or ENGL 101, GEM 3 [Mathematical Ways of Knowing], & PSYC 101).
We encourage you to submit your Dental Assisting application at any time throughout the year. Once your application packet is reviewed, one of our instructors will contact you and discuss your next steps.
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
Applications for CWI’s healthcare programs are now open. Attend a Virtual Healthcare Information session to learn more.
Applications for CWI’s healthcare programs are now open for Fall 2020 semester. Attend a Virtual Healthcare Information session to learn more.
Members of the College's Dental Assisting program spent Wednesday, Sept. 12, volunteering during the Amen Free Clinic at Expo Idaho!
Monica Satake recently completed her master’s degree from Idaho State University and was also published in a national industry journal.
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.