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.
Requirements and Costs
Degrees and Certificates
Dental Assisting – Associate of Applied Science Degree
2
YEARSAAS
Explore the resources below for information, dates, and deadlines related to admissions, financial aid, registration, and next steps.
Dates & Deadlines for Credit Programs | Summer 2023 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 |
---|---|---|---|
Priority Registration Begins 1 | N/A | Apr 10 | Nov 13 (2023) |
Open Registration Begins | Feb 27 | Apr 17 | Nov 20 (2023) |
Financial Aid Priority Deadline | May 13 | Jul 29 | Dec 16 (2023) |
Admission Deadline 2 | May 27 | Aug 12 | Jan 6 |
Last Day to Register for Classes | Jun 2 | Aug 18 | Jan 12 |
Tuition and Fees Due | Jun 2 | Aug 18 | Jan 12 |
Classes Begin 3 | Jun 5 | Aug 21 | Jan 16 |
1 Priority registration is limited to continuing students. Students are assigned a registration time based on their cumulative credits earned. Students should check myCWI and their CWI email to learn their assigned registration time. Students may register online anytime on or after their assigned registration time.
2 The Admission Deadline for international students is earlier than the deadline for non-international students and is only available during the fall and spring semesters. Please consult the Academic Calendar for the international student admission deadlines.
3 Classes in shorter sessions (including 4-, 5-, and 8-week sessions) may begin before or after this date. Please refer to the specific class session sections beneath the full Academic Calendar for more information.
Skills, Traits, and Prep Classes
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- A desire to serve others
- Manual dexterity
- Exactness and precise attention to detail
- Computer Literacy Skills
- Health-oriented professional image
Advising
Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit Advising or contact One Stop Student Services for more information.
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).
Connecting With Ideas
Connecting With Ideas (CWI 101) is the first semester student success course designed to help CWI students become engaged members of the academic community and cultivate habits for lifelong achievement and success. Each semester, students can select from a variety of themes. More information about next semesters CWI 101 themes
Transfer
Look beyond your degree at CWI and plan for continuing your education by working closely with CWI advising and representatives of your intended transfer school. Planning before you transfer can save you time and money. Visit Transfer Information for more information or contact One Stop Student Services.
Financial Aid Available
Did you know that as a student in this program you may be eligible for financial aid? Through grants, scholarships, and loans, more than 60 percent of first-time, full-time CWI students receive some form of financial assistance. To learn more about financial aid options and whether you may be eligible, visit Financial Aid.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for a full-time CWI student averages half the cost of a state university and a third of the cost of a private college. Tuition and fees vary based on program and residence. Visit Tuition and Fees for more information.
Career Info
Dental assisting is a rewarding career that can offer a great deal of personal satisfaction and fulfillment. Entry-level positions include dental assistant positions in general and specialty offices. For those who invest energy and effort into their roles as dental assistants, there are excellent opportunities for advancement.
Locations
Instructors
Program Department Chair
Instructor(s)
Respectful Community
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.
Career & Technical Education
- Administrative Specialist
- Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology
- Automotive Technology
- Bookkeeping and Accounting
- Cisco Networking and Security Technologies
- Collision Repair Technology
- Computer Support Specialist
- Cybersecurity
- Dental Assisting
- Drafting Technology
- Education, Early Childhood
- Fire Service Management
- Fire Service Technology
- Heavy Duty Truck Technician
- Heavy Equipment Technician
- Horticulture Technology
- Law Enforcement
- Machine Tool Technology
- Marketing Communications
- Medical Administrative Support
- Medical Assistant - Credit
- Network and System Administration
- Nursing, Practical
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology
- Software Development
- Surgical Technology
- Swift Programming
- Unmanned Aerial Systems
- Welding and Metals Fabrication
- Wildland Fire Management