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Dental Assistant is one of the promising and rewarding careers projected to grow 11% from 2018 to 2028.
With its demand increase rate, it assures job stability to all dental assisting graduates.
Aside from stability, it also offers good pay benefits as a dental assistant rate per hour starts at $11.78 for no experience and $24 for experts with experience.
It also has a fixed duty schedule as most dental clinics are only open on weekdays, so you can enjoy your weekends without bringing the work burden at home.
If you’re ready to take this promising and rewarding career, check out the schools that offer Dental Assisting programs in Brownsville, TX.
1 Dental Assistant Training School Rio Grande Valley
The Dental Assistant Training School (DATS) of the Rio Grande Valley is an innovative educational hub established to offer comprehensive dental assistant training quickly.
DATS integrates foundational knowledge and hands-on skills essential for budding dental assistants.
The legacy of DATS stems from its founder, Dr. Juan D. Villarreal.
Dr. Villarreal graduated from the Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and founded Harlingen Family Dentistry in 1983.
Currently, under the diligent guidance of Elena Villarreal, Dr. Villarreal’s wife, DATS continues to flourish.
The school delivers courses at the Culture of Life Ministries in Harlingen, allowing students to choose their internship location.
DATS also partners with Dentists Who Care, a non-profit dental organization committed to enhancing oral healthcare for underprivileged children in the Rio Grande Valley.
This collaboration is a testament to the school’s commitment to community service and Dr. Villarreal’s lasting legacy.
About The Dental Assisting Program
The DATS Dental Assisting Program equips students with foundational knowledge and hands-on skills in dental assisting.
It ensures you are job-ready in the shortest possible time without affecting your current commitments.
The program runs for nine weeks with flexible schedules that happen twice a week in the evening.
DATS believes that the best learning occurs in a real-world environment.
Thus, its curriculum, spanning 72 hours divided into 16 modules, is mainly centered around practical sessions in a functioning dental office.
Here are the course highlights:
- A comprehensive introduction to dental assisting basics.
- Mastering patient reception techniques.
- Understanding vital signs and reviewing patient medical history.
- Acquaintance with dental instruments and materials.
- Emphasis on sterilization and infection control.
- Imparting knowledge of oral hygiene and preventive care.
- Introduction to radiology and taking dental impressions.
- Familiarity with OSHA regulations.
- Incorporates CPR training.
- In-depth study of dental anatomy & physiology.
- Opportunity for internships at chosen dental offices or with DATS’ partnered institutions and more.
Upon completion, graduates will receive certifications to back their application in the dental field.
Address: 402 E Van Buren Ave, Harlingen, TX 78550, United States
2 South Texas Vocational Technical Institute
South Texas Vocational Technical Institute (STVT) is an educational institute offering vocational and technical education.
It provides practical experience, guidance, and dedication as it believes students learn from it rather than relying heavily on textbooks.
Its mission revolves around providing students with an immersive learning environment, ensuring they acquire foundational knowledge and hands-on skills in their chosen vocational field.
STVT is accredited, emphasizing our commitment to quality education.
The Weslaco, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, McAllen, San Antonio, and Arlington campuses have accreditations from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
The Texas Workforce Commission also approves and regulates it, emphasizing its quality and compliance with state standards.
About The Dental Assisting Program
STVT Dental Assisting program is a hands-on approach to equip students with the foundational knowledge and practical skills required in the dynamic field of dental assisting.
Beyond classroom instruction, students can also benefit from practical training and an externship, ensuring they’re job-ready upon completion.
The comprehensive program covers diverse areas, including:
- Classroom education
- Hands-on training opportunities for skill enhancement
- Dental Appointments and Scheduling
- Embryology, Histology, and Pharmacology
- Tooth Morphology and Microbiology
- Dental Team and Specialties
- Dental Inventory Control
- Dental History, Law, and Ethics
- Dental Patient Records
- Preventative Dentistry and Infection Control
- Career Planning
The school’s dedicated team guides job placements, resume building, and interview preparation.
If you want to pursue a Diploma with 68 Credit Hours in just 15 months, you can enroll at Corpus Christi and McAllen, TX campus.
Address: 1900 North Expy Suite O,(Open Link in new window) Brownsville, TX 78521
3 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) empowers student’s educational journey, guided by support, inspiration, and hands-on experience.
It emphasizes innovation, opportunity, and purpose; it provides stellar academic opportunities, enhances daily life, and positions the region as a forefront of global innovation.
The school’s focus is not just on high-quality higher education but also on bilingual education, health education, biomedical research, and emerging technology.
Over the years, UTRGV gained numerous awards and consistently ranks among the best in Texas and the nation.
Their accomplishments are a testament to their dedicated faculty, staff, and exceptional students.
UTRGV holds an accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
This accreditation allows UTRGV to offer a range of degrees, from associate to doctorate levels.
About The Dental Assisting Program
UTRGV Dental Assisting program is a comprehensive program 100-contact-hour.
It provides theoretical knowledge and practical skills; the program encompasses a range of topics crucial for a career in dental assisting.
A highlight of its curriculum includes a CPR certification course, preparing students for the Texas “TSBDE” Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam.
The program covers the following topics:
- Anatomy and physiology of dental structures.
- Legal, ethical considerations, and the broader scope of dental assisting practice.
- In-depth understanding of equipment maintenance, tooth structures, dental anesthesia, and more.
- Hands-on instruction in x-ray techniques, dental cement mixing, tooth charting, and assisting in various dental procedures.
Students will acquire the following skills upon completing the program:
- Understand dental anatomy and physiology.
- Understand tooth charting, tooth surfaces, and restoration classifications.
- Awareness of oral health and preventive measures against dental diseases.
- Adhere to infection control norms and ensure occupational health and safety.
- And more…
The total cost of the program is $1,999; however, students must note that. Exam fees are separate from the program fee for certifications.
Address: 101 St Joseph Dr, Brownsville, Texas 78520
4 Brownsville Dental Assistant School
Brownsville Dental Assistant School is an affiliate of Zollege, a renowned healthcare career institution, and introduces students to a stable and promising career in the Dental field.
The school aims to offer affordable higher education that equips students with the necessary skills for immediate employment.
Students will work closely with industry experts and professionals, ensuring a continuous flow of opportunities for students while benefiting its dental association partners.
Understanding the weight of student loan debt, the school offers customizable payment plans to cater to students’ unique financial situations.
It aims to help students graduate without the burden of the student loan and avoid prolonged studies.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) licensed Brownsville Dental Assistant School.
About The Dental Assisting Program
Brownsville Dental Assistant School’s Dental Assisting program is a 12-week program that ensures focused, relevant, and streamlined learning.
It concentrates on equipping students with the precise skills and knowledge they’ll require as dental assistants.
The program blends online modules and readings to build strong foundational knowledge.
Students can also hone their practical skills in an actual dental office during weekend classes to get the hands-on experience necessary to master the craft under expert guidance.
The program also offers a 40-hour externship to give students genuine, on-the-job experience.
After the sixth class, students will learn dental assisting under the mentorship of seasoned professionals.
Its dedicated Student Success Specialists are always there to support students, guiding them through potential openings and aiding with application processes.
Upon completing our program, students will receive:
- A Certificate of Completion from Brownsville Dental Assistant School.
- A BLS (CPR) card.
- RDA license upon passing the RDA exam.
To enroll in the program, you must submit the following requirements: a high school diploma or GED, Proof of Citizenship, and a U.S. government-issued photo ID.
Address: 4920 N. Expressway, Ste. D Brownsville, TX 78526
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Dental Assistant Training School Rio Grande Valley |
|
#2 | South Texas Vocational Technical Institute |
|
#3 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley |
|
#4 | Brownsville Dental Assistant School |
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dental Assistant
Dental Assisting by City
Dental Assisting by State