The Dental Assistant Program is a ten-month, certificate program with didactic and clinical components offered at the Stony Brook University, School of Dental Medicine. The curriculum consists of instructional, laboratory and hands-on clinical classes conducted at the School of Dental Medicine as well as practical experience at off-campus facilities. External clinical rotations include the Long Island State Veterans Home and Shinnecock Indian Health Center.
The program is a New York State registered course that provides quality training and clinical skills for individuals interested in pursuing a career as a dental assistant. The graduates of the Program are eligible to complete the requirements for the New York State license.
The program will provide the knowledge and skills necessary to become proficient in all of the New York State supportive services As a licensed dental assistant the supportive services are defined as; providing patient education; taking preliminary medical histories and vital signs to be reviewed by the dentist; placing and removing rubber dams; selecting and pre-fitting provisional crowns; selecting and pre-fitting orthodontic bands; removing orthodontic arch wires and ligature ties; placing and removing matrix bands; taking impressions for study casts or diagnostic casts; removing periodontal dressings; removal of sutures placed by a licensed dentist; taking impressions for space maintainers, orthodontic appliances, and occlusal guards; removing temporary cement; applying topical anticariogenic agents to the teeth; applying desensitizing agents to the teeth; placing and removing temporary separating devices; and placing orthodontic ligatures.
Graduates of the Dental Assistant Program are employed in a variety of healthcare settings such as private dental offices, private and government hospitals, state and local public health departments, dental schools, dental laboratories, administration, and industry.
