Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Dental Assisting Program
1. How do I enroll for the Dental Assisting Program?
Download and complete the
Dental Assisting Program Enrollment and Payment Form. You may also stop by the office to pick up a form or call (830-372-8047) to request that one be mailed to you. You may mail or hand carry the form and your payment to the Center for Professional Development, Tschoepe Hall Suite 125, 1000 W. Court Street, Seguin, TX 78133.
2. What are the academic requirements to enroll in the Dental Assisting Program?
You should have a high school diploma or equivalent.
3. What is included in the cost of the program?
The cost of $1799.00 includes the tuition, books, and all materials. This 100-contact hour course includes a CPR certification course and covers the relevant material necessary to prepare you to take the State of Texas Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam.
4. Can I get financial aid to take the Dental Assisting Program?
Continuing education courses such as the Dental Assisting Program are
not eligible for financial aid through Texas Lutheran University. However, you may apply for a personal Sallie Mae loan through TLU’s partner, Condensed Curriculum, International (CCI).
Click here for the application form and instructions. For information about the Sallie Mae loans, contact Condensed Curriculum, International (CCI) at 1-800-441-8748.
In addition, some students may qualify for assistance from the Texas Workforce Commission to participate in the Dental Assisting Program. For more information, contact your local Workforce Center.
5. Do I get college credit for taking the Dental Assisting Program?
The Dental Assisting Program is a continuing education program for which you earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) not academic college credit. CEUs are a nationally recognized measure of skills or work-related training gained in a continuing education course that meets established criteria. One CEU represents 10 class hours of participation. Thus, you will earn ten CEUs for the Dental Assisting Program.
You will receive a continuing education CEU certificate after you have completed the training successfully. Reprints of CEU certificates are available for $5.
6. Where are the classes held?
The classes are held in Tschoepe Hall, Room 130. Please see the
campus map.
7. Parking
You may park in any lot on the TLU campus, including the one adjacent to Tschoepe Hall, after 5:00 pm without a parking permit. Please do not park in a space designated as handicapped.
8. What is the refund policy for the Dental Assisting Program?
Refunds may be requested from the Center for Professional Development.
The refund policy for this program is as follows:
- 100% prior to the first class day
- 100% if class is cancelled by TLU
- 80% during the first class day
- None thereafter
9. What is required of the students?
The public expects a good deal of health care personnel in knowledge, behavior, and dress. Therefore, as you begin your transition to your planned career:
- Act ethically.
- Dress professionally.
- Interact courteously.
- Present high quality work that puts you in the best possible light.
- Take responsibility for your own preparation and learning.
- Set goals and monitor your own progression to their accomplishment.
- Attend every session and arrive on time for each course session. Being absence or tardy in this class is considered a violation of professional ethics unless you have a medical excuse.
10. What support will I have in finding a job as a dental assistant?
- You will receive a Graduate Packet with specific guidelines for preparing a resume, writing a cover letter, preparing for an interview, following up on an interview, and conducting a job search.
- Additionally, your instructor will be a dental professional from the area who will share helpful hints in locating a position.
- The Center for Professional Development notifies local dental facilities of the program and encourages them to consider program completers for employment.
11. How much will I earn as a dental assistant?
According to Salary.com, dental assistants in the Seguin area earn from $23,000 to $34,000 with an average salary of $28,500.
12. Where do dental assistants work?
Dental assistants work in a variety of health care settings including dentist offices, hospitals, and other similar facilities.
13. What is the job outlook for dental assistants?
According to the US Department of Labor, “Job prospects for dental assistants should be excellent. Employment is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014. In fact, dental assisting is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the 2004-14 projection period.”
14. Do I need to register with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners?
Dental assistants who
make x-rays in Texas
must register with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) within one year of employment. Newly hired dental assistants have
one year from the date they are employed to register with the TSBDE. During this time they are permitted to make x-rays under the direct supervision of a dentist.
Dental assistants who
do not make x-rays in Texas
do not need to register with the TSBDE.
15. What is the difference between a qualified dental assistant and a registered dental assistant?
The following information is from the TSBDE website: (
http://www.tsbde.state.tx.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=26).
"Qualified Dental Assistant" is a dental assistant who has received on-the-job training or instruction through a dental assisting school. There is no credential for this level of training or instruction.
"Registered Dental Assistant" is a dental assistant who has successfully completed the registration process with the TSBDE. Dental Assistants who successful register and have been issued a Dental Assistant Registration Certificate by the TSBDE may use the credential "Registered Dental Assistant" or "RDA."
Upon completion of the TLU-CCI Dental Assisting Program, you will be a qualified dental assistant who is prepared to take the exam required for registration with TSBDE.
16. What exam do I need to pass to be eligible to be registered with TSBDE?
As a newly graduated student and/or new dental assisting professional, you have multiple options available to you to take the TSBDE Exam. There are 1-day and 2-day on-site options as well as online options. These vary in cost. Once you have taken and passed an exam at a site approved by the TSBDE to offer the review course and exam, you may apply for registration with the TSBDE.
As noted on the TSBDE website, “The goal of an approved dental assistant course is to provide sufficient information to permit dental assistants to gain knowledge and understanding on the important concepts associated with the certification in Jurisprudence, Infection Control and Radiology. The course instructor will review information on all three areas and prepare the dental assistant to pass the state-required written exit exam. The exam will be given to dental assistants immediately following the course. Dental Assistants are eligible to apply for the RDA credential immediately following successful completion of the TSBDE-approved course.”
17. How can I find out about TSBDE-approved exam sites?
Your instructor will give you complete information about the what, where, when, how, etc. of taking the exam. Information is at the TSBDE website.
18. How do I register with the TSBDE after I have received notification that I have successfully passed the exam?
Go to the TSBDE website
www.tsbde.state.tx.us and download a Dental Assistant Registration Application. Complete the application, have it notarized, and attach copies of the TCC RDA Course completion certificate and current CPR card. Send it with the $50.00 application fee to TSBDE.
19. What if I fail on my first attempt?
You are allowed to retake the exam two times. Retesting is available in both on-site and on-line formats.
20. Where can I get more information about dental assisting?
The US Department of Labor website (
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm) has a great deal of information about dental assisting:
21. Where can I get more information?
For general information contact
The Center for Professional Development
Suite 125 – Tschoepe Hall
1000 Court Street
Seguin, TX, 78155
830-372-8047 or 372-6833
cpd@tlu.eduFor additional information about the program, call Condensed Curriculum, International (CCI) at 1-866-441-8748.
For information about the Sallie Mae loans, contact Condensed Curriculum, International (CCI) at 1-800-441-8748.
