Dental Programs

Program Summary

Our dental education programs at LWTC include Dental Hygiene, Dental Assistant, and Dental Front Office Manager.

Degrees and Certificates	Length of Program	Admission Dates
Dental Assistant AAS	90 credits 6 quarters	Fall, spring
Dental Assistant Certificate of Proficiency degree	82 credits 4 quarters	Fall, spring
Dental Front Office Manager Certificate of Completion	19 credits 3 quarters	Fall
Dental Hygiene AAS	120 credits 7 quarters*	Fall, by special admission
Dental Hygiene Expanded Duties Certificate of Completion	6 credits 1 quarter	Fall, by special admission

*Full time students can complete the Dental Hygiene AAS program in approximately 7 quarters, including a six-week summer quarter of full-time professional and clinical education preceded by five quarters of prerequisite courses.

Any developmental coursework a student may be required to complete may increase the program length.

About the Programs

Dental Assistant Program

The Dental Assistant program is designed to prepare students with the necessary background, knowledge, and specialized skills for a career in the field of the dental professional. Students learn theory and skills from classroom lectures, laboratory practice, and hands-on practice in the Lake Washington Technical College dental clinic. Additional experiences in private dental practices are part of the four to six week required internship phase of training. Upon completion of this American Dental Association (ADA) accredited program, students will be eligible to take the ADA Dental Assisting Certification Examination.

The program provides students with the necessary education to function as an important member of the dental team. It blends academic and clinic course work. Students take several basic science courses as well as those that will prepare them to work in diverse communities whose populations may have special oral health care needs.

Dental Assistant AAS graduates will:

• Provide four handed dentistry.
• Perform expanded functions such as rubber dam application, cord packing, coronal polish, fluoride application, oral hygiene instructions, temporary crown fabrication, and alginate impressions.
• Expose and develop patient x-rays and utilize dental technology.
• Comply with OSHA standards for infection control procedures.
• Be prepared to pass the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam.

Dental Front Office Manager

Students taking the Dental Front Office Manager program will learn theory and skills from classroom lectures, laboratory practice, and hands-on practice in the Lake Washington Technical College dental clinic.

Additional experiences in private dental practices are part of the required internship phase of training.

Dental Hygiene Program

This program prepares the student for employment as a dental hygienist including the expanded duties allowed by Washington State Law. This program has received accreditation status from the Commission on Dental Accreditation which allows students, upon graduation, to take the National Board Examination and the clinical licensing examination in the state where she or he plans to practice. Clinical experience is provided at the Lake Washington Technical College's dental clinic under the supervision of licensed dentists and licensed dental hygienists. Additional clinical experience occurs in a variety of off-campus settings located in the greater Seattle area.

There is a formal admissions process for entry into this program. The curriculum in the Dental Hygiene program consists of seven quarters, including a six-week summer quarter of full-time professional and clinical education preceded by two quarters of prerequisite courses. The prerequisite science courses must be at least seven years current upon program entry; be measured by a proficiency examination; or be waived by special petition to the Dental Hygiene Director. The dental hygiene courses must be taken successively.

Additional experiences in private dental practices are part of the four-to-six week required internship phase of training. Upon completion of this American Dental Association (ADA) accredited program, students will be eligible to take the ADA dental Assisting Certification Examination.

Dental Hygiene AAS graduates will:

• Successfully complete both national and regional exams required for licensure administered by the American Dental Association.
• Be prepared for employment as expanded duties Registered Dental Hygienists and members of the oral healthcare team.
• Possess the critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to develop a dental hygiene diagnosis for all dental patients.

LWTC Dental Clinic

The LWTC dental clinic is staffed by dental professionals that include licensed dentists, dental hygienists, certified dental assistants and students serving patients' oral health care needs. Our patients provide an important link to our dental team by giving the students opportunity to work on patients in a clinical setting.