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Dental Assisting is an in-demand career that provides stability and quick entry into the workforce.
You only need a high school diploma and certificates after completing training.
According to the Labor Bureau, this job will also increase by 7% by 2030, faster than other sectors like hospitality and retail. Its high demand offers job stability and room for career growth.
Some higher positions in the dental field started with dental assistants, such as dental hygienists, dental assistant instructors, dental managers, and more.
If you’re in Portland, OR, check out the school’s list offering a Dental Assisting program.
Explore and kickstart a rewarding career in the dental field now!
1 Portland Community College
Portland Community College (PCC) is Oregon’s most prominent post-secondary institution, serving 50,000+ students with a high-quality education.
It was established as an adult education program in Portland Public Schools in 1961 and evolved into a separate governmental unit with its elected board.
Through the years, it has grown its facilities and campuses, reaching its 50th year in 2011.
PCC provides diverse educational opportunities, prepares a skilled workforce, enriches lifelong learning, and promotes sustainability.
The school’s programs meet the industry’s standards.
It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), showing its commitment to its principles of providing a top-notch education.
About The Dental Assisting Program
PCC’s Dental Assisting program blends technical expertise and communication skills to support dentists.
The program offers hands-on experience through an onsite community clinic, preparing students for a rewarding career in just nine months.
It allows students to hone their skills and serve the public.
Here are the following skills students will acquire throughout the program:
- Acquiring proficiency in clinical laboratory techniques
- Managing water, air, and suction devices,
- Blending dental cement, bases, and impression materials
- Overseeing office operations
- Providing oral hygiene instruction
- Maintaining the organization of the treatment room
- Documenting medical and dental histories
- Utilized rubber dams
- Applied sealants and fluoride
- Sterilized instruments
- Prepares study models
- Administers topical anesthetics
- Conducts X-ray filming and development.
Successful program completion qualifies students for a Certificate in Dental Assisting from PCC and Oregon Certification in Expanded Functions.
Additionally, graduates are well-prepared for the Dental Assisting National Board Exam (DANB), a significant step toward becoming a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
Address: 1810 SW 5th Ave., Portland, Oregon 97201
2 Concorde Career College
Concorde Career College in Portland, Oregon, offers comprehensive healthcare programs for aspiring professionals.
With diploma and associate programs designed for completion in as little as nine months, Concorde prepares students for careers in nursing, dental care, patient assistance, and allied health.
The Portland campus is downtown and fully equipped with a learning resource center, hands-on labs, and career services.
It aims to facilitate quick entry into the rewarding field of healthcare.
The school offers various programs, including diagnostics, dental, patient care, nursing, and allied health.
Portland campus holds accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), ensuring it aligns with the standard in providing high-quality education.
About The Dental Assisting Program
Concorde Career College in Portland, Oregon, offers a comprehensive Dental Assistant Diploma program that prepares students for a rewarding career for 8 months.
The program equips students with the necessary skills to support Dentists and Dental Hygienists in practice management and patient care.
It covers foundational concepts such as dental terminology, specialties, materials and procedures, patient care and management, diagnostics and orthodontics, and dental radiology.
With 240 lab hours and an externship, students gain hands-on experience working alongside dental professionals.
Here are some of the skills students will acquire in the program:
- Take patients’ vital signs and histories (blood pressure, etc.).
- Sterilize dental instruments and equipment.
- Pass instruments to the dentist during procedures.
- Use suction to remove fluids from patients’ mouths during procedures.
- Provide patient education on proper oral hygiene.
- Maintain accurate patient records and manage appointment schedules.
- Generate patient bills and handle payment processing.
It also includes a 230-hour externship, offering real-world experience.
Address: 1425 NE Irving St. Portland, Oregon 97232
3 Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School
Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School has been providing dental assisting education since 2008.
It serves students from various areas, including Camas, Portland, Oregon City, Vancouver, Washougal, Tualatin, Beaverton, Gresham, Hillsboro, Battleground, Tigard, and Hazel Dell.
Since its inception, it focused on providing a comprehensive learning experience.
Its experienced instructors foster a positive and encouraging environment, emphasizing clinical skills and dental care’s essential human side.
It goes beyond hands-on training, teaching qualities like empathy and patient communication.
The school is a certified post-secondary educational institution licensed by the State of Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.
Additionally, its course is approved by the Oregon Health Authority, meeting the requirements for radiation use and safety training.
About The Dental Assisting Program
Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School’s Dental Assisting program is a 12-week program costing $5,995 with flexible payment options.
It is a dynamic learning program consisting of 144 hours of classroom study.
Complementing the classroom instruction is a 50-hour hands-on internship at our onsite dental practice.
Students will gain invaluable practical experience working alongside experienced professionals in a real-world setting.
The program covers essential topics from the start:
- Anatomy and physiology.
- Dental charting and billing.
- Dental equipment and technology.
- The role of a dental assistant is to collaborate with hygienists, dentists, and lab technicians.
In-depth courses include:
- Sterilization, disinfection & treatment room care.
- Radiography safety & techniques (Oregon board approved).
- Cements & dental impressions.
- Restorative dental care.
- Assisting with specialized dental procedures.
- Cosmetic dentistry & tooth whitening treatments.
- CPR certification.
Upon completing the program, students will get a Dental Assistant Certificate, propelling them to kickstart their career immediately.
Address: 19301 SE 34th St #105 Camas, WA 98607
4 Carrington College - Portland
Carrington College in Portland, Oregon, offers a range of career-focused programs preparing students for success in the medical and professional fields.
It offers various programs in allied health, such as dental assistance, medical assistance, massage therapy, pharmacy technology, medical billing, and coding for nine months.
Carrington College emphasizes hands-on training and a small college experience where instructors know students by name, bringing practical working experience from their respective fields into the classroom.
The Portland campus is conveniently located within the Lloyd Center Mall, close to public transportation, and easily accessible by car.
Campus Director AnnaMarie Lopez expresses the positive impact of Carrington College on personal and professional growth, enriching a supportive environment for students to succeed in the community.
About The Dental Assisting Program
Carrington College’s Dental Assisting program trains students in all facets of working alongside dentists.
It encompasses patient care, office management, and laboratory duties. With a focus on real-world skills, this program equips individuals to become the face of a dental practice, preparing them for a rewarding career.
It blends online lectures and on-ground labs.
Students can uplevel their education with a degree completion option, allowing for further advancement in their dental assisting career.
The program covers the following topics:
- Preventive Dentistry & Dental Science: In-depth exploration of oral health promotion and disease prevention strategies.
- Dental Office Protocols: Students are exposed to essential administrative tasks, including patient record management, appointment scheduling, and efficient communication protocols.
- Dental Assisting Procedures: In-depth chairside assistance during dental examinations and procedures, from sterilizing equipment and passing instruments to aiding patient care.
The three pillars of the curriculum ensure that graduates are well-versed in the theoretical aspects of dental assisting.
It equips them with practical skills and a holistic understanding of the dental profession.
Address: 2004 Lloyd Center, 3rd Floor Portland OR 97232
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Portland Community College |
|
#2 | Concorde Career College |
|
#3 | Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School |
|
#4 | Carrington College - Portland |
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dental Assistant
Dental Assisting by City
Dental Assisting by State