2 Best Dental Assistant Schools in Charleston, SC

Located in South Carolina, Palmetto School of Career Development operates from three bustling campuses in Charleston, Columbia, and Myrtle Beach.

Its curriculum offers courses tailored for those seeking a career in the medical and administrative sectors.

The courses offered are Dental Assisting Chairside, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Administrative Assisting, and Online Courses for Flexible Learning.

Unlike conventional 2-year programs, its courses are fast-paced and focused, ensuring students are job-ready quickly.

The school’s instructors are industry professionals, ensuring students get insights into the real-world application of their learning.

It combines lectures and hands-on clinical experiences to ensure students master the latest dental practices.

About The Dental Assisting Program

Palmetto School of Career Development offers a comprehensive Dental Assistant Chairside Program.

The program runs for 18 weeks or 140 hours, combined with lecture and clinical training.

It has a flexible schedule every Saturday from 8 am – 5 pm. Morning sessions are lectures, and afternoons are hands-on clinical training in real dentist offices.

The course covers the following topics:

• Introductions to dental assisting.
• Head anatomy.
• HIPAA regulations.
• OSHA guidelines.
• Hands-on training in isolation.
• Preventive dentistry.
• Oral surgeries.
• Management of dental patient scheduling and more.

The course includes CPR certification.

After course completion, students are prepared to take the Radiology (RHS), Infection Control (ICE), and Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology (AMP) exams through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

The school’s team aids in coordinating internships and job placements.

Once employed, you can complete 300 hours of practical experience and apply for the National Entry-Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) certification.

Trident Technical College originated in 1973, a unison between the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Technical Education Center and Palmer College.

TTC has expanded since its inception, becoming a choice for students aiming for academic and technical excellence.

It is a vital part of the South Carolina Technical College System, a multi-campus institution that upholds the virtues of quality education and economic growth.

TTC stands out as a leading educational institution that is cost-effective and enriched with state-of-the-art programs.

It offers compressed seven-week courses and more than 150 programs in various fields, making it a top choice in the Lowcountry.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accredits TTC to award associate degrees.

Several TTC academic programs have distinct accreditations, making them highly highly recognized in their fields.

About The Dental Assisting Program

TTC’s Expanded Duty Dental Assisting program is a comprehensive blend of general education and professional dental courses, emphasizing hands-on learning.

It holds accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

It ensures graduates are ready to take the Dental Assisting National Board Exam for certification.

The program goals upon completion are the following:

• Critical Thinking: Graduates will utilize critical thinking in every step of the dental hygiene process, from assessment to documentation.
• Quality and Safety: Compliance with state and federal laws and recommendations to provide top-tier, safe dental hygiene care.
  Communication: Graduates will master the art of effective, culturally competent communication across diverse populations.
• Professionalism: Ethical, legal, and regulatory concepts will be at the forefront of all operations.
• And more…

If you want to further your studies, you can enroll in the advanced programs the school offers, such as:

• Associate Degrees in Expanded Duty Dental Assisting
• Workforce Training Program in Nitrous Oxide Oxygen Sedation