# Dental Assistant **Institution:** ECPI University **College:** Health Science **Sub-Program:** Health Sciences **Degree:** Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting **Canonical URL:** https://www.ecpi.edu/programs/dental-assistant-school-dental-assistant-associate-degree **Last Updated:** 2026-08-25T18:04:26+00:00 ## Dental Assistant Degree Overview The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program with a concentration in Dental Assisting is designed to provide students with foundational knowledge and practical skills for roles in dental assisting. The curriculum focuses on preparing students to support dentists in both clinical and administrative capacities, emphasizing patient care, radiographic procedures, and office management. Dental assistants contribute to the efficiency of dental practices by coordinating care and communication between dentists, patients, and administrative staff. Students in this program will have the opportunity to learn essential skills in areas such as chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, and office procedures. Graduates may pursue entry-level roles in dental offices, clinics, or other related settings, depending on individual performance and job market conditions. Through ECPI’s year-round accelerated schedule, students can earn their AAS degree with a concentration in Dental Assisting in as few as **15 months**. - **63 Total Credits** — 15 Month Associate's Degree - **Integrated into Program** — 10-Week Externship - **Certification Prep** — RHS, RDA & ICE ### Knowledge and Skills Graduates should grow in the following areas: - **Clinical Competencies** Master chairside assistance, clinical procedures, radiographic techniques, lab tasks, and practice management. - **Practice Management** Build expertise in scheduling, billing, and maintaining dental equipment. - **Dental Knowledge & Ethics** Gain a strong foundation in dental sciences and demonstrate understanding of ethical standards outlined by the American Dental Assisting Association. ## Program Structure and Learning Formats ### Locations - [Virginia Beach, VA](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/virginia-beach-va) - [Newport News, VA](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/newport-news-va) - [Northern Virginia, VA](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/northern-virginia-va) - [Richmond, VA](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/richmond-va) ## Dental Assisting Curriculum The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program with a concentration in Dental Assisting ### Featured Courses - **Dental Radiology** — DEN211 Students build on principles and skills in infection control. Students will learn hazards of radiation exposure as well as identification and correction of radiographic pitfalls are emphasized. Students will learn to pronounce, define, and spell key terms. - **Dental Anatomy** — DEN100 Students will learn the human skull, including landmarks of the skull, face and oral cavity, bones of the head, and the temporomandibular joint. The musculature, nerves and vascular circulation of the head and neck will be studied. ### Program Requirements To receive the Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting, students must earn 63 semester credit hours. The program requires a minimum of 4 semesters, which is equivalent to 15 months or 60 weeks of instruction. *The total contact hours are 1,260.* The program requirements are as follows: #### Core Courses 36 semester credit hours **Complete ALL of the following Courses:** | Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours | |---|---|---| | [DEN100](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN100 "View DEN100") | [Dental Anatomy](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN100 "View DEN100") | 3 | | [DEN105](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN105 "View DEN105") | [Introduction to Dental Assisting](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN105 "View DEN105") | 1 | | [DEN110](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN110 "View DEN110") | [Dental Fundamentals](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN110 "View DEN110") | 2 | | [DEN120](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN120 "View DEN120") | [Clinical Science](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN120 "View DEN120") | 2 | | [DEN125](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN125 "View DEN125") | [Community Health](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN125 "View DEN125") | 1 | | [DEN200](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN200 "View DEN200") | [Dental Chairside Assisting](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN200 "View DEN200") | 2 | | [DEN200L](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN200L "View DEN200L") | [Chairside Dental Assisting Lab](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN200L "View DEN200L") | 2 | | [DEN206](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN206 "View DEN206") | [Dental Materials](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN206 "View DEN206") | 2 | | [DEN206L](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN206L "View DEN206L") | [Dental Materials Lab](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN206L "View DEN206L") | 1 | | [DEN211](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN211 "View DEN211") | [Dental Radiology](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN211 "View DEN211") | 2 | | [DEN211L](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN211L "View DEN211L") | [Dental Radiology Lab](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN211L "View DEN211L") | 2 | | [DEN215](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN215 "View DEN215") | [Clinical Dental Procedures](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN215 "View DEN215") | 2 | | [DEN215L](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN215L "View DEN215L") | [Clinical Dental Procedures Lab](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN215L "View DEN215L") | 1 | | [DEN220](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN220 "View DEN220") | [Dental Practice Management](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN220 "View DEN220") | 1 | | [DEN225](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN225 "View DEN225") | [Clinical Rotation I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN225 "View DEN225") | 4 | | [DEN225S](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN225S "View DEN225S") | [Seminar I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN225S "View DEN225S") | 1 | | [DEN230](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN230 "View DEN230") | [Clinical Rotation II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN230 "View DEN230") | 3 | | [DEN230S](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN230S "View DEN230S") | [Seminar II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/DEN230S "View DEN230S") | 1 | | [MED104](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED104 "View MED104") | [Medical Terminology](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED104 "View MED104") | 3 | #### Arts and Sciences Courses\* 21 semester credit hours **Complete ALL of the following Courses:** *\*Arts & Sciences courses listed may not be substituted.* | Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours | |---|---|---| | [BIO101](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO101 "View BIO101") | [Human Anatomy and Physiology I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO101 "View BIO101") | 3 | | [BIO104](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO104 "View BIO104") | [Human Anatomy and Physiology II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO104 "View BIO104") | 3 | | [COM115](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/COM115 "View COM115") | [Principles of Communication](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/COM115 "View COM115") | 3 | | [ENG110](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/ENG110 "View ENG110") | [College Composition](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/ENG110 "View ENG110") | 3 | | [HUM205](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/HUM205 "View HUM205") | [Culture, Thought, and the Human Experience](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/HUM205 "View HUM205") | 3 | | [MTH120](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH120 "View MTH120") | [College Mathematics](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH120 "View MTH120") | 3 | | [PSY105](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PSY105 "View PSY105") | [Introduction to Psychology](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PSY105 "View PSY105") | 3 | #### Self-Integration Courses 6 semester credit hours **Complete ALL of the following Courses:** | Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours | |---|---|---| | [CIS108](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/CIS108 "View CIS108") | [Office Applications](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/CIS108 "View CIS108") | 2 | | [COR191](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/COR191 "View COR191") | [Career Orientation](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/COR191 "View COR191") | 1 | | [FOR110](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/FOR110 "View FOR110") | [Essentials for Success](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/FOR110 "View FOR110") | 3 | ## Accreditation ECPI University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees. Full accreditation details: [ECPI University Accreditation](https://www.ecpi.edu/accreditation).