Dental Assistant

Program Overview

• Designed for Juniors and Seniors interested in dental healthcare
• Explore the dental profession through hands-on experience and classroom instruction
• Learn skills in:
  • Chairside assisting
  • Infection control
  • Front office procedures
  • Instrument identification
  • Radiology safety
  • Laboratory procedures
• Earn CPR certification
• Receive Utah Dental Radiology course certificate (approved by Utah Dental Advisory Board)

Clinical Requirements & Expectations

• Practice skills on classmates
• Complete Hepatitis B vaccination series (titer test highly recommended)
• Provide current TB test results
• Complete 90-hour clinical externship (~6 hours/week) at a dental office in 2nd semester
• Earn satisfactory evaluation from dentist and staff
• Arrange own transportation to clinical site
• Maintain consistent attendance and punctuality (missed classes are difficult to make up and affect group projects)

About the Instructor

Stacy Buss is a registered dental hygienist who began her dental career in 1996 as a dental assistant and became an instructor after just one year. She moved to Utah in 2003 and earned her dental hygiene degree in 2006. Stacy is an active member of the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA). She currently chairs the Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) for the dental hygiene department at Salt Lake Community College and previously served on the PAC at Fortis College. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and playing with her dog.