The application process takes place in September and March.
The Dental Assistant Apprenticeship Program is a 12-month program that prepares students to work as Registered Dental Assistants in Washington State with an option to work towards their Certified Dental Assistant credential. It is equivalent to a Dental Assisting program at a community or technical college.
Our program:
Is a registered apprenticeship program through the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
Is governed by an Apprenticeship Committee of 50% employer and 50% DA representatives.
Is administered through the Washington Association of Community & Migrant Health Centers.
Trains students in the specific skills required to work as Registered Dental Assistants, as outlined in RCW Chapter 18.260 and WAC 246-817.
Curriculum follows the Commission on Dental Assisting (CODA) educational standards.
Applicants selected for the program are CHAS Health employees, complete with benefits, competitive wage, and will be placed at a clinic upon program completion (with a 2 year commitment).
What does a dental assistant do?
Greets and escorts patient to assigned dental chair.
Reviews and updates patient charts.
Assists dental provider with required procedures, exams, and patient education per scope of practice according to Washington State Department of Health.
Takes and processes x-rays as needed.
Ensures dental exam areas are clean, stocked, and ready for patients.
Cleans, prepares, and sterilizes instruments.
Answers phones and schedules patients as needed.
Observes and follows required safety protocols, including handling and disposal of sharps, use of personal protective equipment, exposure to blood borne pathogens, and general safety of employees and patients.
Obtains blood pressure on all patients per CHAS Health protocol.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Dental assistants support dentists and dental hygienists in providing more efficient dental treatment. Dental assistant's roles include: providing patients help with their oral hygiene skills, preparing the patient for treatment, sterilizing instruments, assisting during general anesthetic dental procedures, positioning suction devices, exposing dental radiographs, taking dental impressions, recording patient notes and administration roles such as scheduling appointments.
Everything we did in the clinic was amazing. Everybody was awesome, the doctors wanted to help teach, help us understand and grow. My coach was amazing. It's really life changing."
