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Technical Diploma

Dental Assistant

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Dental Assistant Overview

Brighten up your future in less than one year by enrolling in CVTC’s Dental Assistant program. As a dental assistant, you will be a vital part of the dental office.

In the Dental Assistant program, you will learn how to:

  • Assist the dentist in dental procedures.
  • Sterilize and prepare instruments.
  • Manage infection and hazard control following OSHA guidelines.
  • Take impressions, prepare models, and lab work.
  • Assist with general office procedures.
  • Produce diagnostic x-rays with both film and digital sensors.
  • Maintain and update dental charts.
  • Perform coronal polishing
  • Model professional appearance, behaviors, and ethics.

Students will receive a coronal polishing certificate of training. CVTC has a full service dental clinic in which dental assistant students, dental hygiene students and dental students from Marquette School of Dentistry work together in a collaborative learning environment to provide care to patients who lack access to dental care. All dental assistant students rotate through the dental clinic as part of their training as well as complete clinical rotations at local dental offices to gain hands-on experience.

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Join Us for the Spring Open House!

Tuesday, March 26, 2024  //  3:30 – 7 p.m.  //  View Event Details

Earn credit for prior learning! Do you have previous educational or work experience in the field? You could be eligible to receive credit for prior learning.

Explore This Program

Just the Facts

Dental Assistant
16 Credit Technical Diploma

Program Length
Less Than One Year

Delivery Method
Face-to-Face

Program Location
Eau Claire

Start Months
August, January

 

Financial Aid Eligible

 

Non-Traditional Occupation

Bloodborne Pathogens

Students in this program should be aware of the risks associated with bloodborne pathogens. Learn more.

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Bloodborne Pathogens

Students entering health programs at CVTC should understand the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDs, through saliva and blood with direct patient care as part of their education.

This exposure can be minimized or eliminated using a combination of engineering and work practice controls, personal protective clothing and equipment, training, medical surveillance, Hepatitis B vaccination, signs and labels, and other provisions.

All programs at CVTC comply with local, state, and federal infection control policies, including the use of standard precautions as stipulated by current CDC guidelines. Written policies and instructions on infection control protocol to minimize the risk of disease transmission is provided throughout the courses in the curriculum. Compliance of safety practices is evaluated throughout the students' clinical experiences to ensure a safe educational environment.

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Estimated Program Cost 

Learn more about the cost of attendance.

Term 1

$

3,028

Books

$

465

 What are estimated program costs? Estimated Total: $3,493

Program Courses Admission Information I'm Ready to Apply

Career Opportunities

Dental Assistant

Graduate Employers

Gentle Dental Care

Kristo Orthodontics

Martin Dental

Menomonie Street Dental

Midwest Dental

Winn Family Dentistry

Program Outcomes

CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking several questions related to employment. Here are the program outcomes and job data.

// Program Scorecard
 

$32K
Yearly Salary

Our recent Dental Assistant graduates reported an average starting salary of $31,568.

 

75%
Employed

75% of our recent Dental Assistant graduates got a job in the industry.

 

82
Regional Jobs

There are 82 job openings in the CVTC district for the Dental Assistant industry.

Transfer

Credits to Other Institutions

Should you choose to continue your education after you leave CVTC, we have agreements in place with several institutions to ensure an easy transfer.

View Transfer Options

Program Courses

These are a few of the courses you will take in this program. Courses and the recommended sequence change from year to year; once you are enrolled in a program at CVTC you will be given a recommended course sequence that outlines what courses you should take and the order in which to take them.

You may search for available courses. If you are ever unsure of what courses to take, talk to your academic advisor. If you are looking for course information for previous years, check out our past catalogs.

Here are a few of the courses you can take in the Dental Assistant program.

Sample Courses

Dental Health Safety
Prepares dental auxiliary students to respond proactively to dental emergencies, control infection, prevent disease, adhere to OSHA standards, and safely manage hazardous materials.

Dental Chairside
Prepares dental assistant students to chart oral cavity structures, dental pathology, and restorations and to assist a dentist with basic dental procedures including examinations, pain control, amalgam restoration, and cosmetic restoration.

Applied Dental Radiography
Prepares dental auxiliary students to operate x-ray units and expose bitewing, periapical, extral oral, and occlusal radiographs using both film and digital imaging.

View Full Course List

Request More Information

Please provide your contact information and an Admissions Advisor will get back to you ASAP with more information about this program.

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We will never share or sell your information outside of CVTC. We may, on occasion, contact you regarding relevant services, events, and materials. You may opt out at any time. View our privacy policy to understand how we collect and use your information.

Your future is waiting…Are you ready to get started?

Apply Now

I really enjoyed the Dental Assistant program and learned so much in the 16 weeks I was there. Emily Severson and Katrina Borgen really know what they are doing and are wonderful instructors. I am so glad that I got the opportunity to work with them and learn from them.

Dental Assistant Graduate

Related Programs & Certificates

Whether you're looking to continue your learning to another program or to gain continuing education credit, CVTC offers a variety of learning opportunities for students.

Degrees & Diplomas

Dental Hygienist, Associate Degree

Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary, Advanced Technical Certificate

Continue Your Learning

CVTC can help you achieve your learning goals whether you are looking to advance your career or enrich your personal life.

// Explore Continuing Ed Opportunities

  Unsure of which program you'd like to go into? Learn more about our Career Assessment to help narrow down your options.

Additional Admissions Resources

Admission Requirements

Each program requires specific requirements a student must meet to be considered for admissions to this program.

// View Admission Requirements

Advising Tips

We have compiled helpful tips and general information for students in this program.

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