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Dental Assistant
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The Dental Assistant program prepares graduates to work with dentists as they examine and treat patients. Dental assistants with documented skills also may carry out a variety of laboratory, clinical and office duties. Graduates receive a technical diploma. Most dental assistants work in general or specialized dental offices, either for individual dentists or for groups of dentists. Dental assistants may also find employment with federal agencies such as the Veterans' Administration, United States Public Health Services, the armed forces, or a state, county or city health facility.
Career Opportunities
This course provides a strong foundation in basic dental assisting. There are job openings for dental assistants in Southwest Wisconsin. More job opportunities are available for graduates willing to relocate to urban areas.
- Receptionist: Works at the front desk and processes invoices, accounts, appointments, and greets patients.
- Chairside Assistant: Assists the dentist with patient care.
- Hygiene Instructor: Instructs patients in proper hygiene and tooth care.
- Laboratory Assistant: Performs laboratory functions while observing safety.
- Hygiene Assistant: Assists the hygienist with tasks.
- Dental Sales Representative.
- Dental Treatment Coordinator.
Is This Occupation for You?
Students entering the Dental Assistant program should have the following:
- Ninth grade reading skills, basic math skills, and good verbal communication skills.
- Employability
- Desire to work with people.
- Desire to work as a team member.
Helpful Academic Background
- Basic Education course in writing
- Reading comprehension skills
- Basic math skills
Program Outcomes
- Collect diagnostic and treatment data.
- Manage infection and hazard control.
- Perform clinical supportive treatment.
- Take diagnostic radiographs.
- Perform dental laboratory procedures.
- Provide patient oral health instructions.
- Assist in managing medical emergencies.
- Model professional behaviors, ethics and appearance.
- Perform coronal polishing on patients.
Program Basics
- This 16-week program includes 12 weeks of classroom and laboratory learning activities, followed by a 4-week externship in a dental clinic
- Classes offered only in the fall semester
- Classes run full-time Monday through Friday for 12 weeks; the 4-week externship hours are based upon the dental clinic hours as assigned
- Must earn at least a grade of C in all classroom/laboratory learning settings to be eligible to work under the direct supervision of a dentist in a four-week externship.
Program Admission Requirements
- Meet required assessment testing.
- Complete an application form.
- Interview with counselor.
- Pay a $30 nonrefundable application fee.
- Submit high school and any post-secondary transcripts.
- Attendance at the program orientation session is mandatory.
- Provide documentation of a recent two-step TB Skin test, and meet health requirements as approved by the College Health Educator. Students are responsible for ALL costs associated with meeting these requirements.
- Students may re-apply to be admitted to a program for which they initially do not meet the Student Academic Achievement Plan (SAAP) criteria after they follow the additional courses and alternate program sequence prescibed for them.
Program Fees
Please contact Student Services at 800.362.3322, Ext. 2354, or email student-services@swtc.edu for current fee information.
A Program Fee list is provided (please note the costs are approximate and based on the current academic year).
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