SLJ Smile Academy offers a structured, hands-on training program designed to prepare students for entry-level dental assistant roles in general and specialty dental offices.
Program Length: 12 Weeks
Format: In-Person
Schedule: Tuesday & Thursday (6-hour days) + Saturday (5-hour day)
Location: Belleville, IL
Externship: Included
Call/Text: (618) 509-5337
What You’ll Learn
Students receive training in the core areas needed to support chairside dental care:
- Infection Control & OSHA Basics
- Operatory Setup, Breakdown & Sterilization
- Dental Instruments & Tray Setups
- Chairside Assisting (Four-Handed Dentistry Concepts)
- Dental Materials & Lab Basics (as applicable)
- Patient Care, Communication & Professionalism
- Introduction to Radiology Concepts & Safety (as applicable)
- Externship Preparation & Workplace Readiness
12-Week Program Breakdown
Weeks 1–2: Foundations & Safety
- Dental office roles and workflow
- Infection control, PPE, hand hygiene
- Sterilization and operatory turnover
- Dental terminology and basic anatomy overview
Weeks 3–4: Instruments & Chairside Basics
- Instrument identification and organization
- Tray setups for common procedures
- Chairside positioning and transfer basics
- Patient seating, comfort, and communication
Weeks 5–6: Clinical Assisting Skills
- Assisting for restorative procedures (support-level)
- Suctioning, retraction, isolation concepts
- Charting basics and documentation concepts
- Professional behavior and time management
Weeks 7–8: Dental Materials & Procedures Support
- Mixing and handling common dental materials (as applicable)
- Temporary materials and impressions support (as applicable)
- Post-op instructions and patient education basics
- Infection control skills check-offs and competencies
Weeks 9–10: Radiology Concepts + Advanced Workflow
- Radiology safety and fundamentals (as applicable)
- Basic positioning concepts and best practices (intro level)
- Office flow: scheduling, room turnover, and assisting efficiency
- Mock clinical scenarios and practical assessments
Weeks 11–12: Externship Readiness & Completion
Transition planning for entry-level employment
Resume/interview preparation and workplace expectations
Externship orientation and professional standards
Final skills validation and program completion requirements
Externship Experience (Included)
Externship provides real-world exposure to dental office workflow and expectations.
Externship may include:
- Observing and assisting with daily dental office routines (site-dependent)
- Operatory setup/breakdown and sterilization support
- Patient intake support and chairside assisting flow exposure
- Professional standards: punctuality, communication, and appearance
Externship placement and duties vary based on site requirements and availability.
Program Completion Requirements
To complete the program, students must:
- Meet attendance requirements
- Pass required written assessments
- Complete skills check-offs/competencies
- Complete externship requirements (if applicable)
Career Opportunities
Graduates may pursue entry-level positions such as:
- Dental Assistant (General Dentistry)
- Pediatric Dental Assistant Support
- Orthodontic or Oral Surgery Office Support (entry-level)
- Dental Front Office Support (with clinical knowledge