Dental Assisting Program

The program in Dental Assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation [and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval with reporting requirements”]. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

Currently, the state of Hawai‘i does not require dental assistants to be certified, unlike 38 mainland states. Certified Dental Assistants are sought after by Federal Agencies such as the military.

The Dental Assisting National Board offers an examination to students who graduate from a program that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or have worked more than 3500 hours as a dental assistant (subject to employer verification).

Currently the state of Hawai‘i does not require dental assistants to be certified, unlike 38 mainland states. Certified Dental Assistants are sought after by Federal Agencies such as the military.

• Careers: The purpose of the Dental Assisting program is entry-level preparation of dental assistants to work in private dental offices, hospital outpatient clinics, state and federal agencies, insurance companies, and dental supply houses.  The career outlook nationwide remains positive.
• If you are a team player; exhibit personal and professional self-assurance and compassion; have a friendly disposition, manual dexterity, and think logically; and above all a sincere desire to provide care to dental patients. For more information go to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Then select ‘advanced search’ and type in your health science program of choice

Upon successful completion of the Associate in Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technician, the student should be able to:

• Perform routine clinical laboratory procedures within acceptable quality control parameters in Hematology, Chemistry, Immunohematology, and Microbiology under the general supervision of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist or Pathologist.
• Demonstrate technical skills, social behavior, and professional awareness incumbent upon a laboratory technician as defined by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.
• Effect a transition of information and experiences learned in the MLT program to employment situations and performance on the written examinations conducted by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and/or the National Certifying Agency for Clinical Laboratory Personnel.
• Apply systematized problem-solving techniques to identify and correct procedural errors, identify instrument malfunctions and seek proper supervisory assistance, and verify the accuracy of laboratory results obtained.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, utilizing appropriate quality control and safety procedures.
• Perform within the guidelines of the code of ethics of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, and the restrictions established by state and local regulatory groups.
• Recognize and participate in activities that will provide current knowledge and upgrading of skills in laboratory medicine.

MLT Program Outcomes (2021)

The mission of the Dental Assisting Program is to follow the Health Education Unit as well as to serve the needs of the Dental health community by:

• Preparing students to meet patients’ needs in the dental office
• Preparing students to apply basic dental operatory and laboratory skills
• Practicing and implementing CDC-recommended infection control procedures and adhering to OSHA workplace safety standards
• Understanding and implementing basic dental radiology
• Assisting in community health by providing clients with oral health information