Dental Assisting Professional Certificate Program

Specific Admission Requirements

The Allied Dental Education Programs at NHTI, Concord's Community College are the only programs in the state that educate dental hygienists and dental assistants. Currently there is a significant shortage of both dental professionals nationwide as well as in New Hampshire. The programs strive to help meet some of this instate need. Both the eleven-month professional certificate program in dental assisting and the two/three year Associate in Science degree, major in Dental Hygiene, offer the student an excellent opportunity to become involved in a health care profession and a become member of the dental team. Those people who are interested in helping others improve the status of their oral and overall health, enjoy working with people, and have an aptitude for science courses, make excellent candidates for these programs.

The graduate dental assistant is the health professional who works closely with the dentist to provide quality dental services and promote good oral health. In addition, the qualified assistant can provide intra oral functions such as dental radiographs and dental sealants. The curriculum includes courses in general education as well as dental assisting courses. Theoretical courses are enhanced by laboratory experiences, and students perfect their technical skills working in a variety of actual dental offices, including specialty practices.

Prior to the start of the clinical dental courses, students are required to have on file in the Health Services Office (603)271-7153 documentation of: current medical insurance; a complete physical examination; current immunizations; current CPR certification for one and two person adult, infant, and child. Professional liability insurance is arranged by the College and will automatically be charged to the student’s account.

Facts About Our Dental Assisting Program

CL - Numbers in the CL column below designate the number of lecture/classroom hours per week for the course
LAB - Numbers in the LAB column below designate the number of simulation laboratory, laboratory or clinical hours per week for the course
CR - Numbers in the CR column below designate the number of credit hours for the course

Access Dental Continuing Education information here. | Access to Dental Clinic Information here

Specific Admission Requirements

Curriculum

# major field courses.
* If not taken in Spring Semester

Health, Character and Technical Standards

Please note: All students enrolled in a clinical course will be charged a $350/per semester clinical surcharge. The following courses carry this charge: DN 191 and DN 196.

Use of Computers in the Allied Dental Education Programs
Allied Dental Education students will be using computers throughout their programs. Faculty will be instructing them in the application of dental software, as well as the use of conventional software to generate papers, do oral presentations and spreadsheets. To make this process easier for students, it is strongly recommended that they have a good working knowledge of computers before entering the program. Computer literacy courses, such as IS 166, are available through the college.

Meet the Faculty and Staff

Donna Clougherty, RDH, MEd.

Donna is the Department Head for Dental Auxiliaries, she is a graduate of The Forsyth School For Dental Hygienist. She earned a BA from Notre Dame college and a Masters Degree in Education from Plymouth State University. She has experience in private practice dental hygiene and in public health.

Lynnea Adams, CDA, BA

Lynnea is a Certified Dental Assistant and holds a BA degree from Alfred University. She has worked as an assistant in area dental offices before coming to NHTI in 1998 to teach in the Dental Auxiliaries Department.

Marissa Gilligan, Program Coordinator (Full Time)

Marissa joined the Allied Dental Education Programs in 2005. She graduated from Rutland Business School and previously worked as an International Claims Representative for YBP Library Services.

Lisa Scott, CDA, RDH, BS

Lisa became a certified dental assistant in 1987. She graduated from the dental hygiene program at NHTI in 1994 with an Associate's Degree. In 2005 she graduated from Granite State College with a BS in Applied Technology in Education and Training. She is currently enrolled in the M.Ed. program at Plymouth State College for Health Education.

Roderic Caron Jr., DMD.

Roderic is a graduate of St. Anselm’s College and holds a DMD from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He Has practiced in both private practice and public health settings since his graduation from Tufts in 1983. He has held faculty appointments at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and Boston University Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry. He has been associated with NHTI since 1988 (outside clinical rotation preceptor), and has been on faculty full-time at NHTI since 1998 as Professor and Supervising Dentist in both the Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Programs.

Lynn Noonan, RDH

Lynn graduated from the NHTI in 1976 with an Associate's Degree. She works as an adjunct in the Dental Assisting program and works in private practice.

Institute Support Services

• Learning Center
• Library

What Our Students Say

Sarah Kobernick Crane - Class of 1994

"I found that the quality education I received in the Dental Assisting Program helped me excel in my profession. It also improved the quality of my life. I would not have been able to achieve what I have today without the expertise and support of the NHTI faculty."

Kris Kittridge

"The decision to return to school after 25 years was a decision that changed my life forever. As part of my program, I was placed in a dental office as an extern. The office asked me to stay as a full time employee. I never had to look for a job after graduation! I love my job and my life today. I could not have said that four years ago."

Emily Griffith - Class of 1998

"The faculty at the NHTI Dental Assisting Program made it easy for me to learn. They were patient and gave you whatever help you needed, just for the asking. After the program the faculty help you get a job."

Sandra Carter - Class of 1981

"Facing the "empty nest" part of my life, I needed to do something with my future. I chose NHTI for its location, cost, and the program I was looking for. The facility and faculty were a bonus."

Revised December 7, 2006

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