script

Drury GO Dental Assistant PEP Program

Drury University > Drury GO > Drury GO Dental Assistant PEP Program

Take the first step to a rewarding career. Drury GO’s Professional Enrichment Programs are non-degree programs designed to provide you with practical training to gain employment in a variety of fields. Although these programs do not grant academic credit, they may qualify you to sit for credentialing exams in your chosen field.

The Dental Assistant Program will prepare you for an entry-level position in one of the fastest growing health care professions. With the national increase in health care related services, and the national shortage of health care professionals, the need for dental assistants is growing substantially. Employment of dental assistants is expected to grow 19 percent by 2026.

  • Tuition prices include textbooks, the optional externship, and the certification exam fees.
  • Student tuition: $3,950
  • Course contact: 60 hours
  • Clinical externship: 40 hours
  • Coursework is completed 100% online within a 6-month completion window.


Program Details

The purpose of this 60-hour program is to familiarize students with all areas of administrative and clinical dental assisting focusing on the responsibilities required to function as an assistant in a dental practice, including 40-hours in a clinical setting.

This course covers the following key areas and topics:

  • Introduction to the dental office and history of dentistry and dental assisting
  • Legal aspects of dentistry including policies and guidelines
  • Introductory oral anatomy, dental operatory and dental equipment
  • Introductory tooth structure including primary and permanent teeth
  • The oral cavity and related structures
  • Dental hand-pieces, sterilization and other areas

Education and Certification

  • Dental assistants and aides should have or be pursuing a high school diploma or GED
  • Students who complete this comprehensive course would be prepared to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board Radiation Health and Safety exam and the DANB Infection Control exam. In many states, DANB-RHS certification is required to work in dental radiography
  • This program includes a 40 hour externship opportunity
  • Students must be 18 years or older in order to sit for certification exams or participate in externship
  • In addition to facilitating entry-level administrative positions, this course is ideal for students interested in pursuing a future formal dental hygienist program

Course Topics

  • The dental assisting profession and history of dentistry
  • Dental anatomy and physiology
  • Tooth charting, tooth surfaces and classification of restorations on a tooth
  • Parts of the jaw and areas of the mouth
  • Oral health and preventions of dental disease
  • Infection control in dentistry and occupational health and safety
  • Patient information and assessment
  • Foundation of clinical dentistry
  • Dental radiology
  • Single crown restoration, bridge, implant, partial denture and full denture
  • Dental equipment, accessories and treatment room
  • Dental hand pieces and accessories
  • Dental cements and impression materials
  • Coding of radiology services and using ICD-10-CM codes
  • Assisting in comprehensive dental care
  • Dental administration and communication skills

Request Information

Drury University will only use this information to contact you about relevant services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.