While the only medical school in Georgia to get a doctorate of dental medicine, or DMD, is about 145 miles away in Augusta, Georgia, Atlanta has a variety of educational options for beginning dental students. These dental schools offer degrees and program in dental hygiene, dental nursing and dental assisting. Often they work in conjunction with local dental offices to assure that students are able to interact with patients in real work environments.
Georgia Perimeter College
Georgia Perimeter College has six campuses throughout Atlanta and more than 24,000 students. The school offers 38 associate degrees including an associate of science in pre-dentisty and an associate of science in dental hygiene. The associate of science in pre-dentistry allows students to take classes in biology, chemistry and dentistry to prepare them for entrance into a four-year university and later entrance into dental school. The associate of science in dental hygiene prepares students to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam by teaching them about dental tissue, oral pathology and radiology.
Georgia Perimeter College
3521 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
Medix College
The Medix College campus just 10 miles outside of Atlanta offers professional qualifications for students to become licensed dental assistants. This program educates students in preliminary examination procedures, radiology, four-handed dentistry, charting, appointment scheduling, keeping patient records and sterilizing instruments. Students are also able to take courses in radiology and surgical procedures to qualify for advanced assistant positions.
Medix College
2108 Cobb Parkway
Smyrna, Georgia 30080
Atlanta Technical College
The dental assisting program at Atlanta Technical College prepares students to find employment in various positions in dental offices. The program includes taking classes in anatomy, dentistry, dental radiology, practice management, preventative dentistry, infection control and oral therapeutics. It teaches students the necessary information to pass the National Board of Health Dental Assisting Exam. The program is accredited by the American Dental Association.
Atlanta Technical College
1560 Metropolitan Parkway
Atlanta GA 30310
Other Options
For students looking to take courses online, dentalxp.com provides a variety of courses on dental surgery, hygiene and orthodontics. Though these courses do not provide a license to practice, they are helpful tools for students studying for board of health exams. For students in Atlanta who have successfully completed their associate's degree in dentistry, the Medical College of Georgia's Dental School provides a variety of high degrees in the dental sciences. Though about an hour and a half away from Atlanta, the program allows students to attain a doctorate of dentistry, an essential step in becoming a practicing dentist.
Tags: associate science, Atlanta Technical, Atlanta Technical College, Georgia Perimeter, Georgia Perimeter College, Medix College, Perimeter College