Dental Assistant

  • Dental Assistant student demonstrates proper brushing
  • Dental Assistant student looks at x-rays
  • Dental Assistant student teaches Head Start kids about what foods is bad for their teeth
  • Dental Assistant student sands down a mouth mold
  • Dental Assistant students high-five each other
  • Dental Assistant student shows Head Start kids what happens at dentist office

Help the world smile. The Dental Assisting program is accredited by The Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Students in this program will learn how to perform a wide range of duties important to dental care, including: chairside assisting, first aid, radiology, office and laboratory procedures, and practice management. In addition to classroom work, students receive more than 300 hours of real-world clinical experience at a variety of dental facilities so that when they do graduate, they can feel confident in their ability to do their job, regardless of the position they are in.

Students also participate in service learning opportunities throughout the year, such as volunteering with the Kansas Mission of Mercy program, which provides free dental care to thousands of people annually, and working with local preschool children to teach them to care for their teeth.

This program has several steps required for admission; check the program guide below for details.

Program Length Program Cost Degree Earned Expected Salary
Nine Months $11,952 Technical Certificate $27,000 – $35,000
Two Years $15,807 Associate Degree

YOU WILL LEARN

  • Assist in clinical dental procedures.

  • Manipulate dental materials to perform laboratory procedures associated with dental treatments.

  • Apply principles of radiation hygiene and safety, utilizing correct techniques to obtain diagnostic radiographs.

  • Demonstrate concepts of infection control.

  • Gather and record diagnostic, patient, and treatment information.

  • Provide patient education.

  • Assist in medical and dental emergencies.

  • Perform basic dental business office procedures.

  • Maintains confidentiality and professional ethics.

  • Participates and communicates effectively as a healthcare team member.

  • Salina Tech Dental Assistant students are required to take the DANB test in order to fulfill program requirements.

CAREERS

  • Solo & Group dental practices

  • Specialty Practices

  • Oral & Maxiofacial Surgery Centers

  • Endodontics & Periodontics

  • Prosthodontics

  • Dental Laboratories

  • Hospitals

  • Insurance companies

INFORMATION

Faculty

Brooke Horner

Brooke Horner is a Registered Dental Hygienist, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from Wichita State University and her Master of Science in Education from Kansas State University. She is also a Certified Dental Assistant and Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant.

Mrs. Horner has over 20 years in the dental field. She started as a Dental Assistant and progressed to a Dental Hygienist for 12 years prior to becoming the Dental Program Administrator in 2015, and is now the Director of Allied Dental Education.

Mrs. Horner is a member of the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) and serves as President for the Kansas Dental Association (KDAA). She is excited to share her knowledge and enthusiasm for dentistry with her students!

brooke.horner@salinatech.edu
785-309-3125

Kate Benton

Kate Benton earned her certification in Dental Assisting from Flint Hills Technical College and earned her Associate of Applied Science degree from Salina Tech. She is also a Certified Dental Assistant, Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant and has a Supragingival Scaling certification.

Mrs. Benton had over 10 years of experience in several successful dental and orthodontic offices prior to joining the Dental Assistant program in 2016 as a Clinical Lab Instructor.

Mrs. Benton is a member of the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) and serves as the Vice President for the Kansas Dental Assistant Association (KDAA). She is extremely passionate for her students and her goal is for every student to have a lifelong career in the dental field!

kate.benton@salinatech.edu
785-309-3126

Nicole Eickbush

is an experienced Certified Dental Assistant with a passion for dentistry celebrating her expertise as a dental instructor at SATC.

Nicole has over 24 years of experience all over the United States. Nicole achieved her CDA and was one of the top students in her class. She also received numerous awards and scholarships for her exceptional grades and projects attaining her bachelor’s in leadership through FHSU. She is originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and moved to North Carolina where she met her husband who was in the military. They then resided in Alaska, Texas and Kansas where Nicole expanded her dental experience with public health and passion. She is highly knowledgeable about the various dental procedures and whelms of the dental field including orthodontics and holistic dentistry.

Nicole’s dream job was always to teach for her dental assisting instructor had a huge impact on her life and she would like to pass that dream on to others. You can find Nicole working with students in the classroom, bringing laugher. Inside the lab, she loves enhancing students’ hands-on skills, providing instruction on dental care.

Nicole believes that providing an exceptional experience for every student and patient she meets creating a positive change, one smile at a time. In addition, Nicole is passionate about supporting students working within the dental industry changing their lives for a successful career.

Outside of her dream job, Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and two dogs, especially during the autumn season. CrossFit, running, lifting, ruck- sacking, visiting hometown boutiques, coffee shops, and antiquing are some of her favorite things to do. Currently Nicole and her husband run an antique booth for fun.

nicole.eickbush@salinatech.edu
785-309-3158

CONTACT

Contact the DEN Enrollment Specialist with any questions, admissions requirements, or to set up program shadowing or tours.

Emily Ingalls
785-309-3132
emily.ingalls@salinatech.edu