Skip to main contentSkip to main navigationSkip to footer content
Trinidad State College

DentalAssisting

Start a rewarding career in oral health care in as little as one semester. Earn a certificate and graduate ready to join any dental care team.

Apply NowRequest Info
Dental
Certificate Available

Program Cost

Tuition rates are identical at Trinidad and Valley campuses. Fees vary slightly by campus and credit load — see the full schedule for exact per-term totals. Estimates do not include books, supplies, or room and board. Rates are for 2025–2026 and subject to change.
In-State Resident
$175/cr hr
$291/cr hr minus $116 COF stipend
Must be a Colorado resident to qualify for the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF).
WUE Student
$288/cr hr
$403.50/cr hr minus $116 COF stipend
Western Undergraduate Exchange rate for residents of AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY & US Pacific territories. Learn more at wiche.edu
Out-of-State
$292/cr hr
Standard non-resident rate
COF stipend does not apply. Financial aid, scholarships, and payment plans are available to all students regardless of residency.
Apply Now Course Specific Fees › Explore Financial Aid & Scholarships › Trinidad Tuition Schedule (PDF) › Valley Tuition Schedule (PDF) ›

Where You Can Study

This program is offered at the following TSC campus locations.

ValleyAlamosa, CO 81101
Valley Campus
Address: 1011 Main StPhone: (719) 589-7000

What You'll Learn

Our Dental Assisting program equips you with the clinical skills, communication abilities, and patient-care knowledge to become an indispensable member of any dental office team.

Clinical Assistance

Work chairside with dentists during a wide array of treatment procedures.

Dental Radiography

Take and develop dental x-rays with precision to support accurate diagnoses.

Patient Comfort & Care

Help patients feel at ease before, during, and after their treatments.

Effective Communication

Manage scheduling, billing, telephones, and supplier ordering with confidence.

Certificate Curriculum

Each certificate is a standalone credential. Click any certificate to see the full course list.

CIP Code:51.0601

Dental Assistant Certificate

A concentrated certificate program designed to get you job-ready in the dental field. Courses cover clinical chairside procedures, dental radiography, infection control, patient communication, and dental office management.

18credit hours
⌄
Program Code:CER_DEA1

Semester 1

  • DEA 1001 – Dental Terminology (1 credit)
  • DEA 1011 – Introduction to Dental Practices (1 credit)
  • DEA 1023 – Dental Materials I (3 credits)
  • DEA 1015 – Infection Control (3 credits)

Total Semester Credits: 8

Semester 2

  • DEA 1021 – Principles of Clinical Practices (3 credits)
  • DEA 1024 – Dental Radiography (3 credits)
  • DEA 1016 – Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office (2 credits)
  • DEA 1081 – Clinical Internship (2 credits)

Total Semester Credits: 10

All courses completed in any Certificate program count toward the degree. You never lose credits by starting with a certificate.

Where You'll Go

Real job market data for the careers our graduates pursue, powered by Lightcast.

Contact Us

Have questions about this program? Reach out to a faculty or staff member. To register, please contact Juliana Chaparro. If you have questions for the instructor, please contact Crystal Benavidez.

LoriRae Hamilton portrait
LoriRae Hamilton
(719) 846-5524
Trinidad
Juliana Chaparro portrait
Juliana Chaparro
(719) 589-7063
Valley
Crystal Benavidez portrait
Crystal Benavidez
 
Valley