Dental Assistant Student Requirements

Students entering the Dental Assisting program at College of Western Idaho (CWI) must fulfill the following requirements prior to beginning and as part of their training throughout the program.

Immunizations
The following immunizations are required to participate in the Dental Assisting program.

Proof of immunizations must be from a licensed physician, health department, or military service.

Completion of immunizations will be tracked in Complio. See Compliance Tracking for details.

Required Immunizations

Tuberculosis, negative

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

Varicella (Chicken Pox)

Tetanus (within the last 10 years)

Hepatitis B

Influenza (given between Sept. 1 and Nov. 1, 2025)

Optional

COVID
Background & Drug Screenings
Students are required to pass a background and 10-panel drug screening prior to starting the program.

The cost of these studies will be the students responsibility.

Completion of the background and drug screenings will be initiated and tracked in Complio. See Compliance Tracking for details.
Compliance Tracking
Dental Assisting students provide documentation regarding the completion of their immunizations, background check, and drug screening through the American DataBank's online database, Complio. This database allows students access, update, download, or print their Clinical Passport.

Complio accounts may be created after June 1.

Please allow up to 60 minutes to receive your user ID and password.

Once your account is created, you will order:

Immunization Tracking Package – $20*

Review immunization requirements in Complio to ensure you are compliant and have proper documentation.

Background Screening Package – $90*

Instructions will be sent via email.

Results will be uploaded for you upon completion.

10-Panel Drug Screening – $32*

Instructions and registration information will be sent via email.

You will have 120 days to complete your drug screening.

Results will be uploaded to your account within 72 hours.

Documentation submitted through Complio will be reviewed within 1 – 3 business days, and you will be notified if any further action is needed.

Complio will automatically notify you when immunization or compliance records are expiring.

Students are encouraged to opt-in to receiving text notifications from Complio.

*Costs are the student's responsibility, are approximate, and subject to change without notice.

Access Complio
CPR & First Aid Certification
All students must provide a current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider CPR and First Aid certification.

Only AHA BLS Provider CPR and First Aid cards will be accepted. Other certifications or online courses will not be accepted.

Certification must be current through June 2026.

Health Solutions of Idaho offers CPR and First Aid courses that meet program requirements.
Dental Office Observation
To gain valuable insights into the day-to-day practices of dental assisting, students looking to begin the Dental Assisting program are required to complete an 8-hour observation in a dental office prior to starting classes.

Observation hours are valid for two (2) years from the date of completion.

Following your observation, you will complete and submit a Dental Assisting Observation Verification.
Uniform & Supplies
Students are required to purchase an approved Dental Assisting uniform and dental kit prior to the start of classes. To avoid delays in starting the program, students are encouraged to order as soon as possible.

Uniform

Uniforms, including scrub tops and lab coats embroidered with the CWI logo, are purchased in-store at Career Uniforms, in Boise.

The approximate cost for the uniforms is $150*.

Shoes must be purchased separately and adhere to the following specifications:

Black in color

Close-toed

Solid surface (no fabric)

Dental Kit

Dental kits are purchased online through Darby Dental.

DARBY ID: CWI

Course ID: DA Fall 25

Student Kit: 2613497 – College of Western Idaho Fall 25

As this is a custom kit, the site will show it is out of stock. Continue to place your order.

The cost is approximately $300*.

Kits will be mailed directly to the student and must be brought to the first day of class.

Students are encouraged to purchase a container to store their kit in.

*Costs for uniforms and dental kits are subject to change without notice.

Cost & Aid
Availability
Dental Assisting classes are held at the Nampa Campus Health and Science Building (NCHS) and various clinical sights.

Students should plan to be available Monday through Friday.
Patients
Dental Assisting students are required to recruit their own patients for specific tasks in lab courses.

Students will need two adult X-ray patients and a patient to perform a coronal polish on.

Approval from the each patient's dentist is necessary to participate.

No charge is made to the volunteer patients.