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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.

Career Opportunities

Dental Assistant

Ortho Assistant

Graduate Employers

Kids USA Learning Center

Marshfield Clinic Dental Center

Menomonie Street Dental

Midwest Dental

NorthPark Dental

Winn Family Dentistry

Just the Facts

Dental Assistant
16 Credit Technical Diploma

Length of Program //
Less Than One Year

Delivery Method //

Program Location //
Eau Claire

Program Location //
August and January

Start Months //
August and January

Start Dates //
August and January

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

 

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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Financial Aid Eligible

 

Non-Traditional Occupation

Estimated Program Cost 

Term 1

$

3,016

Tools/Materials

$

2,432

Books

$

443

 Estimated Total: $5,891

View Admission 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 your options today!

Program Courses

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

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.

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Dental Assistant Outcomes

CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking where they are working, whether it is in their degree field, and several other questions related to employment. Below are the program outcomes and job data.

// Program Outcomes
 

100%
Employed

100% of our recent Dental Assistant graduates got a job in the industry.

 

$30K
Yearly Salary

Our recent Dental Assistant graduates reported an average starting salary of $29,799.

 

72
Regional Jobs

There are 72 job openings in the CVTC district for the Dental Assistant industry.

 

Transfer
Credits to Other Institutions

Transfer your CVTC credits to another institution to continue your education. Explore transfer agreements.

Focus On Student Success

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

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.