Dental Programs

The purpose of the Dental Programs at CVTC is to provide highly qualified graduates that are culturally competent and socially minded.These graduates are trained to serve dental health care needs in our communities and are committed to improving oral health care for all citizens.

Dental Program Philosophy
Provide evidence-based curriculum which includes relevant concepts and theories reflective of current and future trends.

Dental Program Mission
To provide highly qualified graduates who will become future leaders, clinicians, educators, and researchers with a goal of improving oral health care access for all individuals in a culturally competent manner. 

Dental Program Goal
To educate students in a "real life" dental clinic setting, giving them the hands on training in a dental team experience, using all three disciplines; dentistry, dental hygiene and dental assisting while providing dental care to individuals who lack access to care. Students learn together, in an interdisciplinary, supportive environment while they provide care to under served patients and give back to the community.

Community Service
The faculty is strongly committed to involving students in Community Service to enhance their overall educational experience here at CVTC. Dental Hygiene students must complete 100 hours of Community Service while in the program through a variety of activities that range from volunteering in the WDA sponsored Give Kids A Smile Day,Sealant and Fluoride Varnish Clinics at local Head Start Centers and schools, working with State Oral Health Consultants to serve individuals with special needs in group home settings, a rotation to Colfax Health & Rehabilitation Center, Children's Dental Health Month school presentations, Special Olympics, and Summer Pediatric Clinic Enrichment, and many other activities designed to expose the students to a variety of practice setting and diverse patient populations, while building the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to be successful future oral health practitioners.

Choose Your Career Path

CVTC offers two options in the Dental Program: Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant. Read below to find more information on each.

CVTC also has a Bachelors Degree in Dental Hygiene Completion option through an articulation agreement with Mankato State University (MSU). This option allows students who are in the program to take additional courses at CVTC to fulfill part of the educational requirements of 120 credits. Students that are accepted into the Dental Hygiene program as well as continuing program students are eligible. Refer to the Bachelor Degree Dental Hygiene Mankato, Bachelor Degree Completion Mankato Information and FAQ documents for more information.

CVTC also has other articulation agreements within the UW System.

Dental Hygienist

The Dental Hygienist program is a two-year Associate of Applied Sciences Degree program. It is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Graduates are prepared to take the National Board written examination, CRDTS, and to apply for licensure. New graduates are prepared to enter the field with the knowledge, clinical skills and experience necessary to play an active role in delivering oral health care.
View more detailed program information.

Dental Assistant

The Dental Assistant program is a one-year Technical Diploma Program. Students are equipped with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to play an active role in assisting the dentist in delivering oral health care. Students will be prepared for entry level employment and are eligible to take DANB exam to become certified after two years of full-time employment in the field.
View more detailed program information.