MALTA — The Continuing Education department at Kishwaukee College is offering a Dental Assistant program this fall.
The course will begin Sept. 5 and run through Dec. 19, meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 – 9 p.m.  Cost of the Dental Assistant Program is $1,200. Students must be at least age 18 to register for this program. More information on the new Dental Assistant Program will be available at the free Short-Term Training Programs Information Session on Aug. 9 from 6 – 8 p.m. in Room B2301 at the College.

Dental assistants provide quality preventative and corrective dental care under direct supervision of a dentist or dental hygienist. The dental assistant is responsible for assisting dentists and dental hygienists with patient care as well as providing administrative support to the office.
The program at Kish College will consist of 90 hours of instruction: 70 hours of classroom instruction and a 20-hour non-paid, externship in a healthcare facility. Externships are scheduled for a one week period, after classroom instruction has ended and before the final exam. Students will be required to provide their own transportation to and from their externship site, which can be located within a 50 mile radius of Kishwaukee College. Drug testing and a criminal background check are required for externship placement.
The need for dental assistants is growing substantially. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in the dental field is expected to grow 25 percent through 2022, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Ongoing research linking oral health and general health will likely continue to increase the demand for preventive dental services. Additional reasons for expansion include the population growth, greater retention of natural teeth by middle-aged and older people, and an increased focus on preventative dental care for younger generations will fuel demand for dental services.
For more information on the Dental Assistant Program at Kishwaukee College, contact Melissa Gallagher, Coordinator of Short-Term Training, at 815-825-9466 or at melissa.gallagher@kishwaukeecollege.edu.