The Dental Assistant program will offer students the opportunity to obtain the training needed to assist the dentist in providing care for patients. Your training in dental terminology, chair side assisting procedures, radiology, infection control, and dental office computers will make you a valuable asset to any dental practice. Graduates have the opportunity to work for a private dental practice or work at a dental clinic performing a variety of services.

*Information technology proficiency is not required.

To be considered for acceptance into the Dental Assistant program, interested individuals must:

• Be a minimum of 18 years of age upon entering the program
• Submit application form and fee
• Submit official high school transcript, or GED/HiSET certificate
• Sign consent and complete drug and criminal background screening
• Contact financial aid
• Complete interview
• Attend orientation session prior to first day of class

Step 1

Submit Application with fee to Franklin Technology Center

In order to be considered for admission into Dental Assistant program, the first step in the process is to receive an application packet and complete the following:

• Read the program sheet
• Review program cost sheet and keep a copy (Important: The school reserves the right to adjust program tuition and fees prior to the start of the program.)
• Complete & sign application form
• Return signed application form, consent forms if applicable, and non-refundable $50 application fee to the address below or submitted online at franklintechnologycenter.com.

Step 2

Transcripts

Once Step 1 has been complete, provide the following:

Official high school or GED/HiSET transcripts. It is your responsibility to request your transcript from the High School you graduated from or the state you received your GED/HiSET from. Please have requested copies mailed to:

Franklin Technology Center

810 S Wall Ave

Joplin, MO 64801

Step 3

Contact Financial Aid

• All applicants must make initial contact with the Financial Aid Coordinator, even if not planning to use financial aid monies to pay for the program. The Financial Aid Coordinator may be reached at 417-680-0004, ext. 2062.
• The FAFSA must be completed online at student aid website. Call the Financial Aid Coordinator at 417-680-0004, ext. 2062 if assistance is needed in completing the FAFSA.
• If a previous loan that was in default status, and the requirements to take care of the default status as been completed, a letter from the State Department of Education confirming that the loan is no longer in default status MUST be provided. Failure to do so will result in the application being removed from the applicant pool.

Step 4

Health and Policy Forms

A personal interview with the instructors will be required. You must call 417-625-3178 and set up the date and time. At the interview you will learn more about the program and you will fill out additional forms needed for admittance into the program. Applicants must be 18 years of age upon entering the program. Immunization records including childhood, Hep B series or Titer and a current TB test is required of all students as recommended by the CDC for “ Practice Standards for all Healthcare Professionals”. For those without an immunization record, options will be discussed at a personal interview appointment before acceptance into the program. Selection for the Dental Assistant program is limited to 20 students each fall. In the case that the number of selected applicants drops, alternate students may be selected. Prior to the beginning of the school year, a drug screening and background check will be required. Another drug screen test will be submitted without notice sometime during the school year. If the student fails drug screening or background check, it will be an automatic dismissal from the program.

Step 5

Orientation

All students will be required to attend orientation prior to the first day of class. Students will be contacted regarding program-specific orientation date, time and location after acceptance.

Please direct all correspondence and inquiries to:

Franklin Technology Center

810 S. Wall Avenue

Joplin, MO 64801

Telephone: 417-680-0004

Fax: 417-680-0005

*Disclaimer: The programs and courses require a minimum number of students in order for the classes to be offered.

General Dentistry including;
Infection control and OSHA guidelines*
Chair-side Assisting*
Dental Anatomy
Dental Terminology
Dental Instruments*
Dental Materials*
Radiology*
Computers in the Dental Office*

*These classes will have a laboratory and/or clinic time along with lecture.

Quality classroom instruction combined with hands-on experience is provided during the 10 month Dental Assistant Program.

Various courses include*:

• General dentistry
• Infection control and OSHA guidelines
• Chair-side assisting
• Dental anatomy
• Dental terminology
• Dental instruments
• Dental materials
• Radiology
• Computers in the dental office

*Curriculum subject to change, as determined by FTC.

Internship experience is provided through cooperating community dental offices or dental clinics in the Joplin and surrounding areas.

Dental Assistant 2024-2025 Student Calendar.pdf

Joplin Schools Calendar 2024-2025.pdf

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Diana Warden - Dental Assistant Coordinator, Certified Allied Health Instructor, and Clinical Coordinator

Education: Diana attended Missouri Southern State University and Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO. She received her teaching certificate from DESE. Diana became a Certified Dental Assistant from DANB in 2000. She received her Expanded Functions in Prosthodontics and Direct Restorative from the American Dental Association in 2003. Diana received her certification to Monitor Internal Conscious Sedation from UMKC School of Dentistry in 2005, and she received her certification to monitor Nitrous Oxide Sedation from Steven Skoch D.D.S. at the Maxillofacial Surgery Center in Fayetteville, AR in 2006. She received her Registered Dental Assistant Certification from American Medical Technologists in 2007. She received her certification to monitor Internal Conscious Sedation from DOCS Education in Minneapolis, MN in 2011. She received her Expanded Functions in Orthodontics from the American Dental Association, and certification in Single Dose Sedation and Nitrous Oxide from DOCS Education in Dallas, TX in 2012. Her continuing education keeps her current on all phases of new technology in Dentistry.

Diana is a Certified, Registered, and Expanded Functions Dental Assistant. Her educational experience allows her to treat patients by performing certain procedures for the dentist, just as a physicians' assistant performs certain procedures for the physician. Diana's education has been tested and approved by the American Dental Association and the Dental Assistants National Board. She has assisted in general dentistry for over twenty-five years. Her genuine care for the patient is one of her strong attributes.

Diana has been teaching the Dental Assistant Program at Franklin Technology Center at Missouri Southern State University since 2006, and she is also the Clinical Coordinator of the program.

Diana Warden: Dental Assistant Program Coordinator

Phone: 417-625-3178 

Fax: 417-680-0005

Email: dianawarden@joplinschools.org

$10,177.00

$1,066.00

Dental Anatomy Chart

ISBN:  978-142323310-7  $10.00

Dental Instruments- A Pocket Guide, 8th Edition

ISBN:  978-0323873901  $47.00

Modern Dental Assisting Student Workbook, 14th Edition

ISBN:  978-0443124037  $48.00

Modern Dental Assisting Textbook, 14th Edition

ISBN:  978-0323824408  $113.00   

Textbook Total $218

*Subject to change

$11,461.00