Maryland Program Schedule

  • School Location
  • Session
  • Open House
  • Start Date
  • End Date
Annapolis
(T, Th 6-10pm)

 

  • Winter
  • 12/11/24
  • 01/30/25
  • 04/10/25
  • Spring 
  • 02/12/25
  • 05/13/25
  • 07/22/25
  • Fall
  • 05/28/25
  • 09/16/25
  • 11/25/25
Columbia
(T, Th 6-10pm)
  • Winter
  • 12/11/24
  • 01/23/25
  • 04/03/25
  • Spring 
  • 02/12/25
  • 05/08/25
  • 07/17/25
  • Fall
  • 05/28/25
  • 09/09/25
  • 11/18/25
Germantown
(T, Th 6-10pm)

 

 

  • Winter
  • 12/11/24
  • 01/28/25
  • 04/08/25
  • Spring 
  • 02/12/25
  • 05/06/25
  • 07/15/25
  • Fall
  • 05/28/25
  • 09/11/25
  • 11/20/25
Westminster
(M, W 6-10pm)

 

  • Winter
  • 12/11/24
  • 02/03/25
  • 04/14/25
  • Spring 
  • 02/12/25
  • 05/12/25
  • 07/23/25
  • Fall
  • 05/28/25
  • 09/15/25
  • 11/24/25
Pikesville
(T,Th 6-10pm)
  • Winter
  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD
  • Spring
  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD
  • Fall
  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD

DATS Maryland — Entry-Level Dental Assistant Training Program

Hands-On Classes & Training

Students enrolled in the Maryland DATS Entry-Level Dental Assistant training program will attend training within a fully functional dental practice, when the office is closed.

Successful completion of the DATS Entry-Level Dental Assistant Training Program satisfies the requirements of the DANB® (Dental Assistant National Board) and qualifies you to take the state-approved x-ray technology exam.

This program has a maximum student-to-instructor ratio of 10:1 for the classroom and 5:1 for the laboratory. This ensures each of our students enjoys hands-on experience in all areas of dental assisting.

104 total course hours:

    • 84 hours of classroom
      instruction
    • 20 hours of externship

Additional courses approved by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners:

  • General Expanded Function - 35 hours
  • Radiology - 24 hours

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Class Sessions

Each class session is divided into lecture and lab portions.

Lecture Portion

During the lecture portion, students view slides or PowerPoint presentations presented by an instructor. There will be time for questions, answers, and review.

Lab Portion

The laboratory portion focuses on getting you the hands-on experience you need to apply what you've learned in the lecture. During the lab portion, you will focus on learning and practicing skills with office treatment rooms, labs, and equipment.

Externship

Each student is required to participate in 20 hours of externship in order to graduate.

What is the DATS externship?

The externship portion of the DATS Entry-Level Dental Assistant Training Program is designed to provide you the opportunity to test the skills and abilities you acquire during the first half of the instructional classroom segment of the DATS curriculum.

How does the externship work?

Every student will be provided with the contact information of any dental offices participating in the externship. It is your responsibility to schedule your extern hours at a time that is mutually convenient for you and the dental office.

Externship Requirements
  • To begin your externship, you must pass the first two quizzes and midterm exam.
  • You must complete your 20 externship hours by the last scheduled class.
  • Upon completion of the externship, you must submit a timesheet, signed by the dental office to DATS, to verify the required hours have been completed.
  • A passing grade on the evaluation of your progress from the participating dental practice is required to graduate.

Learning Materials

DATS classes are held in a modern state-of-the-art dental office with the latest equipment. The school will provide you with:

  • A set of models of human dentition, and student models of his/her dentition.
  • All of the disposable supplies needed to perform tasks
  • The opportunity to use the available instruments and equipment in treatment rooms

Five students may work in a treatment or specialty room at any one time. There is one instructor for every ten students in the classroom and one instructor for every five students in the laboratory.

Instructional Materials

Modern Dental Assisting, by Doni L. Bird, Debbie S. Robinson, Elsevier Saunders Publisher; Hardcover 12th edition ISBN: 978-0323495882.

Modern Dental Assisting, by Doni L. Bird, Debbie S. Robinson, Elsevier Saunders Publisher; Hardcover 12th edition ISBN: 978-0323495882.

Modern Dental Assisting, by Doni L. Bird, Debbie S. Robinson, Elsevier Saunders Publisher; Hardcover 12th edition ISBN: 978-0323495882.

Teaching Devices

All classes will be taught in fully-equipped dental treatment rooms with teaching devices and equipment including:

  • Dental patient chair, overhead examining light, water & air syringe, suction tool & dental instrument tray.
  • Fully equipped darkroom (varies by location)
  • X-ray machines
  • Digital Imaging System (varies by location)
  • Automatic film processors (varies by location)
  • Autoclave
  • Fully equipped dental laboratory
  • Fully equipped office including computer, photocopy machine, fax, multiple phone lines
  • Audio-Visual Aids – DVD

School Closings & Cancellations

School closings due to weather will follow local community college closing announcements. Classes canceled due to weather will be rescheduled. This could impact graduation date.

DATS is closed for the following holidays:
  • New Year's Day
  • Labor Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Independence Day
  • Christmas Day

Ready to Start Your New Career as a Dental Assistant?

Apply today for our 11-week, hands-on dental assistant training program!
Apply Today!
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