100 Hour Program | 60 Hour Classroom-with introduction to hands on | 40 Hour Clinical Externship (recommended)
Class Dates for Portsmouth Location: Thursdays 5:30-9:00pm & Saturdays 9am-12:30pm- April 9-June 18, 2022
Class Dates for fall 2022 at Manchester Location: Coming Soon!
The Dental Assisting Program prepares students for entry-level positions in one of the fastest growing healthcare professions – Dental Assisting. With the national increase in healthcare-related services, and the national shortage of healthcare professionals, the need for dental assistants is growing substantially. With a growing workforce over 300,000 strong, a career in dental assisting ranks as the fourth fastest growing occupation in the healthcare technician field. To meet our nation’s growing medical demands, recent studies indicate that over 400,000 assistants will be employed by 2021.
The purpose of this program is to familiarize students with all areas of administrative and clinical dental assisting focusing on the responsibilities required to function as an assistant in a dental practice. This course covers the following key areas and topics:
Introduction to the dental and of dentistry and dental assisting
Legal aspects of dentistry including policies and guidelines
Introductory oral anatomy, dental operatory, and dental equipment
Introductory tooth structure including primary and permanent
The oral cavity and related structures
Dental hand-pieces, sterilization, and other areas
Course Information:
Education & Certification Information:
Dental assistants and aides should have or be pursuing a diploma or GED.
In many states, DANB-RHS certification is required to work in dental radiography.
In addition to facilitating entry-level administrative positions, this course is ideal for students interested in pursuing a future formal dental hygienist program.
Questions? Contact Zainab Qari at zainab.qari@unh.edu
All classroom sessions will be held at either UNH Professional Development & Training sites in Portsmouth or Manchester.
Portsmouth, NH: 231 Corporate Drive
Manchester, NH: 88 Commercial Street
Enrolled students will receive location and parking information in advance of the program via email.
Classroom and materials, including textbooks/workbook, are included in the cost of program enrollment.
Laurie A. Rosato, DMD | Manchester Instructor
Dr. Rosato has been a dentist for 27 years, both in private practice and teaching settings. She holds her B.A. from St. Anselm College and D.M.D. degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Her Board Certification and Licenses are: Northeast Regional Board (NERB) Certified; National Dental Board Licensed Dentist; Licensed Dentist, State of NH. In the early part of her career she practiced in Illinois and Rhode Island, holding licensure in both those states.
Dr. Rosato currently holds the positions of Chair, NH Dental Society Council on Government Affairs; Board Chair, Concord Dental Sealant Coalition, a non-profit serving dental needs to low-income families to 9 elementary schools in the Concord area; Dental Advisor, NH Antimicrobial Resistance Advisor Workgroup; ACE Panel Dentist, ADA, clinical evaluator of topics and products.
Dr. Rosato's professional affiliations include Inducted Fellow of the International College of Dentists; Member, American Dental Association; Member, Greater Concord Dental Society; Member, NH Dental Society. She is a former member of the Rhode Island Dental Association and the Illinois Dental Association.
Gilda Pronych, DDS, FAGD | Portsmouth Instructor
Dr. Pronych received her dental license in 2000 to practice general dentistry in New Hampshire and has worked in both clinical and academic settings. She graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Dalhousie University and then pursued a General Practice Residency in Ohio and a Fellowship in Geriatric Dentistry from Minnesota.
Dr. Pronych currently treats patients in long-term care facilities, but also has experience in private practice, pediatric and hospital dentistry. She was an Adjunct Faculty member for 13 years at NHTI. Her primary focus is public health and caring for vulnerable populations.
Dr. Pronych’s professional affiliations include Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, Member of the New Hampshire Dental Society (and current President of the Southeast component) and American Dental Association, and the New England Dental Society. She is also actively involved with several Arts & Culture organizations.
Thank you for your interest in this course. A new date will be schedule soon. If you would like more information, please submit your inquiry below and a staff member will reply shortly.
