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Dental Assisting
Program:
The Dental Assisting Program prepares the student to function effectively
as an integral member of the dental health team and perform chair
side assisting and related office and laboratory procedures under
the direction and supervision of a dentist. Dental Assisting students
will be awarded a diploma from West Kentucky Community and Technical
College and will be eligible to take the National Dental Assisting
Board Examination leading to national certification as a Certified
Dental Assistant. The curriculum includes content areas in general
studies, biomedical sciences, dental sciences, clinical sciences,
radiography, and clinical experience. The Dental Assisting Program
is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized
accrediting agency of the American Dental Association.
According
to the 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook earnings vary by
geographic location, employment setting, and years of experience.
Dental assistants may be paid on an hourly, daily or salary basis. Benefits vary substantially by practice
setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment. In
May 2008, the average hourly salary for dental assistants in
Kentucky was $14.65, Indiana $16.14, Illinois $15.39 and in Tennessee
$14.37. The national average was $15.95. The national
median salary per hour for a Dental Assisting National Board
certified dental assistant is $18.00 per hour versus $15.95 for
a non-DANB certified dental assistant.
Dental Hygiene Program:
The Dental
Hygiene Program prepares the students to function as dental hygienists
on a dental auxiliary team under the supervision of a dentist.
Dental Hygiene students will be awarded an Associate in Applied
Science degree from Henderson Community College and will be eligible
to take the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination and state/regional
board examinations leading to licensure as a Registered Dental
Hygienist. The Dental Hygiene curriculum includes courses in general
education and in dental hygiene as required by the Commission on
Dental Accreditation. The program provides comprehensive educational
experiences through lectures, clinical, and related study in order
that students may apply scientific knowledge in the performance
of dental hygiene procedures.
According to the 2008-09 Occupational
Outlook Handbook earnings vary by geographic location, employment
setting, and years of experience. Dental hygienists may be paid
on an hourly, daily, salary, or commission basis. Benefits vary substantially
by practice setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment.
In 2007 the average hourly salary for hygienists in Kentucky
was $26.23, in Indiana $30.28, in Illinois $29.52 and in Tennessee
$26.55. The national average was reported to be $31.21
per hour. |
