Don’t you like staying in the cubicle glued to a computer screen all day?
Dental Assisting might interest you!
This job will allow you to be active and engage with many people.
You won’t get bored as dental assistant responsibilities span from aiding dentists during procedures to managing X-rays.
Yet, you also have moments to sit and unwind as you manage patient records and arrange appointments.
Typically, dental offices offer a clean, secure, and positive workspace.
If you’re in El Paso, TX, check out our list to start your dental assisting career!
1 Southwest University - El P
Southwest University At El Paso, called initially Quick Study Learning Center, opened its doors in 1999.
It was a hub dedicated to assisting students with English language learning and GED preparation.
It underwent many transformation changes and eventually became Southwest University at El Paso in 2012 offering Bachelor’s degree programs.
Its mission is to furnish the community with outstanding technical career skills.
It provides premier education integrating cutting-edge technology and a conducive learning environment.
The JRCERT, IACBE, CCNE, the Texas Board of Nursing, and ABHES organizations accredit and recognize Southwest University at El Paso.
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, the American Society for Clinical Pathology, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology also recognize it.
About The Dental Assisting Program
Southwest University offers various degree courses including Associate of Applied Sciences in Dental Assisting.
This 14-month program (54 weeks) equips aspiring dental assistants with the knowledge and practical skills essential for success in today’s dynamic healthcare environment.
Aside from technical skills, it also integrates components of liberal arts and sciences.
This inclusion ensures students excel in written and verbal communication and develop critical thinking skills.
The program highlights the development of the following skills:
- Streamlined Dental Procedures: The program trains students to effectively hand instruments and supplies to dentists, ensuring efficient dental treatments.
- Mastery in Laboratory Practices: The curriculum sharpens students’ abilities in vital laboratory tasks, ensuring precise diagnostics and effective treatment strategies.
- Educating Patients: The program prepares students to teach patients about oral hygiene’s importance. Encourage better dental health habits and motivate patients to maintain their health actively.
Address: 6101 Montana Ave. El Paso
2 Pima Medical Institute – El Paso
Pima Medical Institute is an employee-owned establishment founded in 1972.
It offers comprehensive medical, dental, and veterinary programs ranging from master’s degrees to certificate courses.
Richard Luebke Sr. and JoAnn Luebke founded it to empower students with top-tier medical career training.
Over time, it expanded to 17 campuses with a vibrant online segment adapting and growing with the ever-evolving demands of the medical world.
It offers 30 programs with various educational models, from traditional on-campus classes to a fully online curriculum.
Pima Medical Institute proudly holds accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and is recognized by multiple state and program-specific accrediting and licensing bodies.
About The Dental Assisting Program
PMI Dental Assistant Certificate Program runs for nine months.
It equips students with hands-on, real-world training combined with the essential administrative, communication, and assisting skills significant for this role.
It has on-campus and hybrid options with blended learning for those students seeking additional schedule flexibility.
The program covers the following learning areas:
- Patient Preparation: Efficiently prepare patients for examinations and treatments.
- X-ray Proficiency: Expertly capture dental X-rays, ensuring clarity and precision.
- Instrument Sterilization: Maintain dental equipment’s cleanliness and sterility, preventing contamination.
- Post-operative Guidance: Offer patients clear and helpful post-operative instructions to ensure swift and complication-free recovery.
- Patient Education: Empower patients with knowledge about effective oral healthcare practices.
- Restorative Preparations: Skillfully prepare materials essential for creating accurate dental impressions and restorations.
- Clerical & Laboratory Duties: Master both the administrative tasks and lab responsibilities crucial for the smooth functioning of a dental office.
The program stands out with its realistic lab settings closely replicating actual dental offices.
Seasoned instructors guide students as they dive into practical scenarios, equipping them with the necessary competencies.
Address: 6926 Gateway Blvd E. El Paso , TX 79915
3 Wisdom RDA
Wisdom RDA is a dental assistant training school that empowers students with top-tier training and knowledge.
Its commitment lies in nurturing students to be successful in the dental field by offering practical application and contemporary curricula.
Its diverse program suite spans various sectors – business, technology, healthcare, and the arts.
A dynamic curriculum is at the heart of its programs, consistently updated to mirror the latest industry model.
This consistent standard guarantees that Wisdom RDA graduates step into the professional field with the precise expertise employers seek.
The BBB has accredited Wisdom RDA with an A+ rating, and it proudly stands as one of the Dental Assistant schools in El Paso, TX, with a 5-star rating.
About The Dental Assisting Program
Wisdom RDA offers a comprehensive Dental Assisting Program.
The program’s holistic approach and exceptional support ensure students are enriched with learnings that stimulate consistent growth.
It’s also an RDA license that showcases a dental assistant’s expertise and commitment to professional excellence.
After passing the state licensing exams, RDAs demonstrate their skills in assisting dentists and ensuring optimum dental health for patients.
The state license is a regulatory standard, ensuring RDAs possess the necessary knowledge and expertise.
The program runs for three months, and Wisdom RDA has partnerships with multiple dental clinics in El Paso.
It means that students get real-world practice, ensuring a 90% employment opportunity upon course completion.
Upon completion, you will earn a certificate, a testament to your academic accomplishments and a stepping stone in preparing for state exams.
Address: 3121 Forney Ln A, El Paso, TX 79935
4 El Paso Pediatric Dental Assistant School
Pediatric Dental Assistant School is an institution that trains pediatric dental assistants.
It was established as a response to cater to the demand gap in the job market by Dr. Lizbeth Holguin, operating under the license of PDAS.
It offers intensive, hands-on training in genuine Pediatric Dental Assisting skills.
It’s not just preparing students for a certification; we’re equipping them to start working immediately upon graduation in any Pediatric Dental office.
Pediatric Dental Assistant School’s mission is to equip the most thorough and practical pediatric dental assisting training.
About The Pediatric Dental Assisting Program
The Pediatric Dental Assisting Program prepares students for entry-level roles as Pediatric Dental Assistants.
The program runs for ten weeks and includes a mandatory 40-hour externship.
It provides students with invaluable real-world experience, honing their skills and preparing them as competent Pediatric Dental Assistants.
Here are the program curriculum highlights:
- Jurisprudence
- Dental Terminology
- Hygiene
- Sterilization
- Radiology
- Impressions
- Behavior Management
- Four-Handed Dentistry
- CPR Certification
- Final Review
- Pediatric Dental Assistant Externship
Upon completion, students will earn the following certificates:
- Certificate of Completion in Pediatric Dental Assisting
- OSHA/HIPAA Certificates
- Human Trafficking Certificate
- Behavioral Guidance and Management for the Pediatric Dental
- Patient Certificate
- BLS (CPR) Certification
- State License Course/Exam
Address: 3037 N Zaragoza Rd Suite A, El Paso, TX 79938
5 El Paso Community College
Established in June 1969, El Paso Community College (EPCC) rose from a community’s aspiration to form a junior college district.
Over the years, EPCC expanded its campuses from Valle Verde to Mission Early College High School (MECHS).
In 1995, EPCC established the Institue for Economic and Workforce Development, recognizing the regional implications of the NAFTA agreement.
ECPCC aims to offer affordable, top-tier education and streamline students’ career pathways.
Its vision is forward-thinking: to be an innovative educational leader, continually shaping a brighter future.
El Paso County Community College District proudly holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees and other credentials.
About The Dental Assisting Program
The Dental Assisting program at El Paso Community College provides students with interpersonal and technical skills, equipping them to be professional dental assistants.
It offers two specializations: Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting and Certificate of Completion in Dental Assisting.
Both programs share core curriculum components, including the capstone experience: DNTA 2363, Clinical-Dental Assisting/Assistant II.
A minimum grade of C is mandatory for all specialized courses to ensure high standards of competence.
Its comprehensive curriculum teaches students to provide patient care, assist dentists at the chairside, conduct laboratory, handle X-rays, and perform clinical and administrative tasks.
EPCC facilitates real-world clinical applications within our educational facility or through internships in the local dental community.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a recognized accrediting body endorsed by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education, accredits the program.
Graduates can take the Dental Assisting National Board Examination to become a Certified Dental Assistant or the Radiation Examination to be certified for radiographs in Texas.
A National Certification is achievable by sitting for the Dental Assisting National Board Exam right after graduation.
Address: 100 West Rio Grande Ave. El Paso, Texas 79902
Schools Summary Table
Rank | School | |
---|---|---|
#1 | Southwest University - El P | |
#2 | Pima Medical Institute – El Paso | |
#3 | Wisdom RDA | |
#4 | El Paso Pediatric Dental Assistant School | |
#5 | El Paso Community College |
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dental Assistant