Program Curriculum

Dental Assisting Students earning BLS Certificate

Certification Support for RDA Licensure

The DCDS Dental Assisting School program is designed to support students in fulfilling the certification requirements established by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) to obtain a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license. As part of this support, we assist students in completing essential components, including:

  • Human Trafficking Prevention Training

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification

  • Preparation for and administration of the RDA Exam

Expanded Function Overviews

In addition, the DCDS Dental Assisting School curriculum introduces students to important dental assisting topics such as:

  • Coronal Polishing (CP)

  • Pit & Fissure Sealants

  • Nitrous Oxide Monitoring (N₂O)

Please note: While these subjects are covered to provide foundational knowledge, they do not fulfill the TSBDE’s certification requirements. Students will be responsible for completing additional, state-approved training in these areas if they wish to become certified.

These topic areas are widely sought by dentists, and many dental assisting programs do not provide them as part of their training.

DCDS Dental Assisting School students are way past basic! Your training takes place with cutting edge technology and equipment in preparation for everything your new job will throw your way.

Classroom + Labs

Topics covered during classroom and lab hours include:

  • Intro to Dental Profession

    • Oral Health

    • Nutrition

    • Jurisprudence

  • Preparation for Patient Care

    • Dental Charting

    • Restorative Materials, Dental Dams, Matrix Bands & Wedges

    • Charting

    • Dentrix and Eaglesoft practice management software

  • Intro to Dental Radiography

    • Production & Evaluation of Radiographs

    • Extraoral & Digital Radiographs

  • Basic Dental Science

    • Anatomy & Physiology

    • Head & Neck

    • Histology

    • Tooth Morphology

  • Emergency Management

    • CPR Training

    • AED Use

  • Lab Materials & Techniques

    • Liners, Bases & Cements

  • Dental Skills and Procedures

    • Infection Control

    • Management of Hazardous Materials

    • Microbiology

    • Pharmacology

    • Anesthesia & Sedation

  • Basic Chairside Assisting

    • Instruments & Trays

    • Instrument Transfer

    • Operating Field

  • Dental Specialties

    • Oral Medicine

    • Periodontics

    • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

    • Cosmetic Dentistry & Teeth Whitening

    • Endodontics

    • Orthodontics

    • Pediatric Dentistry

    • Fixed Prosthodontics

    • Removable Prosthodontics

  • Employment Strategies

    • Job Preparation

    • Communication

  • Externship

In addition to the curriculum, students are placed in an active Externship Program to gain valuable hands-on dental assisting hours in dental offices. We have over 1300 member dentists ready to consider you for externship and/or employment.