Testimonials
Dental Assistant
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| Awards | Credits | Course Delivery ( COVID delivery changes) |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant - A.A.S. Degree | 60 cr. | Rosemount |
| Dental Assistant - Diploma | 40 cr. | Rosemount |
| Program Datasheet: Download the Dental Assistant Datasheet | ||
This program prepares students for employment in dentistry as a Certified Dental Assistant and a Licensed Dental Assistant. Students are trained to expose and process dental x-ray films, master a variety of chairside skills and expanded functions delegated by the Minnesota State Board of Dentistry. Students also study ways to control and prevent dental disease. Excellent communication skills are required for patient education.
Employment in this field typically requires successful completion of the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA) licensing exams.
At minimal cost, students can become student members of important professional organizations such as:
The Dental Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
I had an amazing experience in the Dental Assisting program. The hands on work in the lab helps to prepare you for the dental office. The externship program is an invaluable experience; it is a great time to learn how an office runs and what your role will be as an assistant. With the great training at DCTC and externship I was able to obtain employment right after graduation.
| Dental Assistant A.A.S. Degree • 60 credits |
Dental Assistant Diploma • 40 credits |
|
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $198.60/cr. | $198.60/cr. |
| Fees | $21.45/cr. | $21.45/cr. |
| Textbooks | $800 | $800 |
| Other | $360 | $360 |
| Personal Property Fee | $133 | $133 |
| Grand Total | $14,496 | $10,095 |
Each year, Dakota County Technical College and the DCTC Foundation make more than $200,000 in scholarships available to our students. Students are encouraged to create an account and apply for scholarships online.
Students looking for ways to help finance their college education can find part-time jobs on campus with various DCTC departments and programs. Deliver your completed Work-Study Application to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and search for openings at College Central Network Services. For more information, you can review Work Study Procedure.
Step 1: Apply now for financial aid. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
DCTC's Federal School Code: 010402
Step 2: After receiving an official award letter from DCTC, you may apply online for a Federal Stafford Student Loan. Visit the Loans page for more information.
Dental assistants provide direct and indirect patient care working under the supervision of a dentist. Potential work settings include dental practices in both general and specialty offices. Work areas are near the patient in the dental chair to permit efficient assistance to the dentist.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment as a dental assistant is expected to grow 31 percent by 2020, making it one of the top 30 fastest growing occupations in the U.S. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook states: "Ongoing research linking oral health and general health will continue to spur the demand for preventative dental services. As the large baby-boom population ages, and as people keep more of their original teeth than did previous generations, the need to maintain and treat teeth will continue to increase the need for dental assistants."
People in this career prepare patients for dental treatments and procedures, assist dentists and sterilize instruments. Some perform x-rays and lab tasks, maintain patient records and coordinate appointments. A typical work setting involves handling tools, working in a team, and interacting with patients.
Articulation Agreements are formal agreements between two or more colleges and/or universities to accept credits in transfer toward a specific academic program. DCTC has articulation agreements in place with a number of public and private colleges and universities.
MN Transfer.org is your official guide to a seamless transfer experience in Minnesota Higher Education. Use this resource to find agreements that DCTC has entered with other Minnesota State institutions.
Do you want to see how your courses transfer to programs at participating colleges and universities? Add the coursework you've taken and use Transferology to find out how it might transfer to any of the participating schools in the Transferology network. Get an account and create a plan now!
Whether you're a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or an international student or transferring from high school or a four-year university, DCTC will help you through the process. Visit our Transfer Students page for more information.
The Dental Assistant program at DCTC is active throughout the year and makes headlines in college publications. Read about student success in design competitions, student field trips to national conferences and the accomplishments of our interior design instructors.
As a student in DCTC's Dental Assistant program, you have many opportunities to make connections in the design industry through your involvement in professional clubs and organizations.
American Dental Assistant Association (ADAA)
Minnesota Dental Assistants Association (MnDAA)
Saint Paul District Dental Society (SPDDS)
DCTC features active, industry-relevant clubs for Dental Assistant students right on campus. Getting involved in these clubs allows you to make the most of your college experience and gives you an edge when seeking employment in the dental assistant field. The following clubs are open to Dental Assistant students:
Community-Based Learning
Community development through service-learning projects promotes citizenship and civic involvement in our students. In a wide selection of DCTC programs, students are required to demonstrate their commitment to community service by participating in approved service-learning projects.
Dental Assistant students are required to participate in a minimum of 10 hours of community-based learning. Some get the opportunity to participate in Give Kids a Smile, an annual program sponsored by the American Dental Association to provide dental care to underserved children.
Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society (PTK)
Phi Theta Kappa is recognized as the official honor society for community colleges by the American Association of Community Colleges. PTK provides many leadership and civic engagement opportunities for students. To be eligible for membership, you must have completed a minimum of 12 hours of coursework at DCTC with a cumulative GPA of 3.5. Invitations to join the society are mailed to eligible students at the end of each term. To learn more about PTK, visit www.ptk.org or contact the PTK advisors.
