Skip to main contentSkip to main navigationSkip to footer content

Dental Assisting Program

CE Health Careers Banner for Dental Assistants

ENROLLMENT IS OPEN!!!

Dental Assistants aid dentists during patient examinations and treatment. Duties may include preparing the patient for treatment, providing the dentist with proper instruments during treatment procedures, exposing radiographs, making sure all instruments are sterilized and disinfected, and helping in the day-to-day management of the office. Dental Assistants are also able to schedule appointments, assist with billing and payment, maintain patient records, and instruct patients in proper oral hygiene. The course stresses office assisting skills, dental sciences, clinical procedures, and dental radiography. 

Course Prerequisite: Complio Account

Course Recommendation: Electronic Device with access to the Internet

On completion of the program, students will sit for their State of Texas Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Exam. The examination fee, $95.00, is included in the tuition. When students pass the exam they will need to submit their RDA licensing application to the State.

To initiate the process to become a Texas Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) there are a few additional fees not covered in the tuition. The RDA licensing application to the State, $40.00 (subject to change per UTHSCSA), NPDB - $6.00 Self query (link given in class), Passport Photo - $12.00, and Fingerprinting - $40.00 to be completed after application submitted.  

Students who do not pass the exam, will need to within the first year of employment as a Dental Assistant, retake the exam at their expense and initiate the process to become a Texas Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).

A Dental Assistant and a Registered Dental Assistant are different both in name and credentialing by state. A Dental Assisting student may still be employed but is more marketable as a Texas Registered Dental Assistant (RDA). 

A digital certificate of completion will be issued into Complio under Certificate of Completion. A physical certificate may be picked up at the Continuing Education office. 

Please scroll through the entire web page as many of the frequently asked questions are answered below. Also, please refer to the Resources section at the bottom of the webpage for more valuable information. If you still are in need of additional assistance, please call the Continuing Education office at 432.335.6580 or email us conted@odessa.edu.

Want to know the Dental Assisting Career Outlook?

United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics – Dental Assistant 

To make our programs more beneficial for students, the Textbooks, Scrubs, Supply Fees, and the Exam Voucher are included in the tuition! 

By packaging these items into the tuition students can now have these items covered by grant and scholarship funds for a lower out of pocket expense.

We also have payment plans available so you can get started training for your new career sooner! 

Have enrollment questions? Please call our office at 432.335.6580 or email at conted@odessa.edu. 

The next classes will be offered in Fall 2024. 

Course Information: (Odessa) 

16 WEEK Course 

  • Duration: 16 Weeks
  • Class Size: 6 Min/12 Max
  • Cost: $3,200 (Includes Supplies, Textbooks, Scrubs, and Texas RDA Exam Fee)
  • Down payment: $500
  • Hours: 108 Classroom Hours, 48 Clinical Hours; there is an online component to this course
  • Prerequisite: Complio Account
  • Major Code: 1204M, CIP 51.0601
  • Adult EveningClasses:
    • Classroom/Skills Lab – MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS 6:00 PM-9:30 PM 
    • Clinical Externship – MONDAY – FRIDAY 8am-5pm (Dependent on Assigned Office’s Hours) 
      • September 3rd, 2024 - December 12th, 2024
        • 24/Q1 DNTA 1053 100
        • 24/Q1 DNTA 1060 100
      • January 13th, 2025 - May 8th, 2025
        • 25/Q2 DNTA 1053 101
        • 25/Q2 DNTA 1060 101

There are additional fees associated with this course, not covered in the tuition: 

  • RDA licensing application to the State, $40.00 (subject to change per UTHSCSA)
  • NPDB - $6.00 Self query (link given in class)
  • Passport Photo - $12.00
  • Fingerprinting - $40.00, to be completed after application submitted

What do I need to register?

The Health Careers Pre-Registration process utilizes a Document Tracking Service called COMPLIO! This pre-registration service will cost $97 for Odessa residents and $109 for students in Extension Sites. This cost for THE BUNDLE includes the required Background Check and Drug Screen costs. Please ensure you have all of the items listed on the Checklist prior to purchase. Also, be mindful that the drug screen order will expire within 30 days of creating an account. Please review COMPLIO's non-refundable policy prior to purchase. You will need to submit the documentation from the applicable checklist. Once you upload your documents, you will have access to them through American DataBank Complio for a lifetime! The Certificate of Completion will also be accessible through this system when the students have completed a Health Careers program. 

Please enter your information into Complio how you want it to appear on your Certificate of Completion and input the email address where you wish to receive email communication from the college.  

Make sure your scrubs fit! Come by the Gregory D. Williams Hall located at 2714 Robertson Ave and try on available sample sizes before completing your size selection in Complio. 

I am Compliant with COMPLIO and have met all the enrollment requirements. What’s next?

Call the Continuing Education Department at 432-335-6580 to enroll AFTER you have received an email from COMPLIO stating you are “Compliant” and have met the registration requirements. Our team will verify your compliance and enroll you in a Health Careers course.

Within 48 hours of enrolling tuition or payment plan must be initiated. Please use the link below to start your program payment plan. Our team can also accept payment over the phone with a credit card at 432-335-6580.

Payment Plan Link

What do I need prior to the first day of class?

Students need to be fitted for their scrubs prior to the first day of the course as well as access their Blackboard account and Student Email. 

During the first weeks of class you will receive your course materials including textbook, scrubs, and a badge. Our programs require students to wear Galaxy Blue scrubs to class and clinical. Students may wear course T-Shirts to class with instructor approval. Come by the Gregory D. Williams Hall located at 2714 Robertson Ave and try on available sample sizes before completing your size selection in Complio. 

Most classes have a physical textbook distributed by Continuing Education or available through the OC Campus Bookstore. You may need to obtain a textbook, which is included in your tuition, through the Odessa College Bookstore 432-335-6655. Some classes have a digital textbook which will be delivered via Blackboard or issued by the instructor. 

RESOURCES:

Workforce Solutions Permian Basin can assist with tuition, books, and fees for many of our programs. Watch this VIDEO for more information!

Helpful Videos:

Complio Overview

Creating an Account

Document Upload

Data Entry

Exceptions

Ordering a Drug Screen in Complio

Signing Forms

Screening Fees

Profile Sharing

How to enter Titers

Subscribe to Complio

Change Subscription

Renew Subscription

  

 
 

Dental Assisting Schedule

 

Disclaimers:

*Course offerings are subject to restrictions and/or guidelines issued by local, state, and national government entities in response to pandemics, evacuations, natural disasters, inclement weather events, or any other circumstance that may affect the school’s ability to hold class. This may include damage to buildings, equipment failure, technology failures, or any safety concerns that may develop. Classes, courses, and/or programs may be moved, postponed, or cancelled as Odessa College deems necessary to remain operational and in compliance with such restrictions or guidelines. Students should refer to Blackboard or reach out to their instructor for further direction. Classes will mostly likely resume in an online format until otherwise notified.