Course Catalog
Introduction
Career First Institute was founded in 2024 by Dr. Vipul Parikh, Ph.D. It offers a training program for individuals pursuing a career as a dental assistant. The school’s only campus is located at 20 Pidgeon Hill Drive, Suite 204, Sterling, VA 20165, within a functioning dental office. Conducting training in an actual dental office enhances the learning experience for students enrolled in the Dental Assistant Program.
The term four-hand dentistry refers to the two hands of the dentist and the two hands of the dental assistant. Dental assistants are integral to the efficiency and success of a dental office.
Dental assistants support many essential tasks in a dental office, including:
- Seating patients in the dental operatory and reviewing their records
- Preparing instrument trays and sterilizing instruments for various dental procedures
- Passing instruments during procedures and suctioning to keep the mouth dry
- Taking dental x-rays
- Disinfecting operatories between patients
- Providing post-operative instructions and escorting patients to the front desk for checkout
Goal and Objective
The objective of this program is to train students to seek employment in a dental office as an entry-level dental assistant, sterilization technician, or clinical assistant. The U.S. Department of Labor projects a faster-than-average growth rate of 8% for this profession from 2023 to 2033.
Training takes place in an actual dental office when it is closed to patients. This gives students real-world exposure to treatment rooms, a lab, a sterilization area, x-ray equipment, and front desk operations. Students gain practical experience through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training in a fully equipped dental setting.
Program Schedule
The Dental Assistant program is 80 clock hours and lasts for 10 weeks.
Weekday Evening Programs
- Classes meet twice per week, 4 hours per class
- Option 1: Monday and Wednesday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Option 2: Tuesday and Thursday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Weekend Program
- Classes meet once per week on Saturdays, 8 hours per class
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Lunch Break: 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
The program’s start date will be announced and communicated to students at least one month in advance. New programs begin contingent upon a minimum enrollment of two students. Classes will not be held on federal holidays.
Training takes place in an actual dental office when it is closed to patients. This gives students real-world exposure to treatment rooms, a lab, a sterilization area, x-ray equipment, and front desk operations. Students gain practical experience through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training in a fully equipped dental setting.
Program Schedule
The Dental Assistant program is 80 clock hours and lasts for 10 weeks.
Weekday Evening Programs
- Classes meet twice per week, 4 hours per class
- Option 1: Monday and Wednesday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Option 2: Tuesday and Thursday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Weekend Program
- Classes meet once per week on Saturdays, 8 hours per class
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Lunch Break: 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
The program’s start date will be announced and communicated to students at least one month in advance. New programs begin contingent upon a minimum enrollment of two students. Classes will not be held on federal holidays.
Training takes place in an actual dental office when it is closed to patients. This gives students real-world exposure to treatment rooms, a lab, a sterilization area, x-ray equipment, and front desk operations. Students gain practical experience through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training in a fully equipped dental setting.
Certified to operate by the
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)
