Thanks for having interest in the exciting career of Dental Assisting and for choosing Texas State Technical College Waco to receive your important technical-vocational education and training.

Dental assisting is a very challenging career. A career that can offer many opportunities and benefits; providing you are a person with: self-motivation; ability to cope; and an independent worker.

The key to a successful dental assistant career is an assessment of your study habits and preferences. Our program is designed on a self-paced curriculum that allows students to develop and strengthen traits in: time management; organization; and taking on the responsibility of learning.

Dental assistants are responsible for setting up exam rooms, measuring blood pressure, exposing radiographs, processing dental x-ray film, performing oral examinations, preparing charts, taking impressions, pouring molds and fabricating temporary crowns. Dental assistants also use their skills and knowledge in office management, oral health counseling, laboratory procedures, dental radiography and radiation safety to assist in all phases of dental treatments. The majority of dental assistants in the Central Texas area work in private dental offices and make approximately $8 to $12 an hour.

By choosing the Dental Assistant Program of TSTC Waco, you have made the first step to a secure future. If your plans are to continue your education, we can help prepare you for enrollment at a dental hygiene college, or other applicable venues.

The Dental Assistant Program continues to maintain an excellent reputation with area Dentists through their participation with the hands on training course (practicum) and the hiring of graduates. Over 85 percent of each graduating semester has acquired full-time jobs and some before graduation.

We look forward to making your plans a reality.

Sincerely,

Donna Estes, Department Chair
Dental Assistant
Texas State Technical College
254.867.4864