Dental Assistant
Delivery: Daytime and blended online classes
Start: Fall or Spring Semester; Full Time only
Prerequisite and General Education/MnTC courses are available in a mix of daytime, evening, and online classes; Fall, Spring, and Summer; Full- or Part-Time
Dental Assistant — Associate in Applied Science Degree (64 credits)
Dental Assistant — Diploma (48 credits)
Dental Practice Management — Advanced Specialty Certificate (16 credits)
Admission into this program requires a special application and is highly competitive. The college may not be able to accept all applicants that meet the minimum admission standards.
The demand for certified and licensed dental assistants exists with excellent placement, salary and benefits. As a dental assistant, you will participate in a variety of tasks that include chairside assisting, patient education, polishing teeth, taking radiographs, making study models, and preparing business forms. Career opportunities are available in an assortment of dental offices and public institutions.
For more information about our programs, check out our program videos at century.edu/videos.
The Dental Assistant major is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Graduates of the Dental Assistant Program are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board Certification Exam and the Minnesota State Board of Dentistry Registration Licensure Exam. Dental assistant graduates, upon successful completion of the exams, are certified and licensed dental assistants.
Commission on Dental Accreditation
American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
www.ada.org
January 15 for Fall start and July 15 for January start of each year.
- Submit official high school transcripts or GED certificate. All applicants must provide proof of graduation.
- Assessment Placement in RDNG 1000, or completion of RDNG 0090 with a grade of C or higher, English 1021 with a grade of C or higher, and a Goal 1 Communication course (COMM 1021, 1031, 1041 or 1051) must be completed or in-progress with anticipated completion on or before the program application deadline.
- See special application booklet in Admissions, Counseling Center or online for more information regarding application process and selection criteria.
Dental Assistants
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Dental Assistants
Average Wage: $21.23/hour
Top Earners: $26.47/hour
(seven county metro area - www.iseek.org)
- Minnesota Law requires any individual having contact with patients to complete a MN Human Services background study prior to starting the clinical experience. An individual may be disqualified from having patient contact and would not be permitted to participate in the clinical experience. Contact the Minnesota Board of Dentistry and the Minnesota Department of Human Services with any questions.
- Current certification in CPR is required by the end of the first semester of Dental Assistant program courses. Certification must cover adults, children and infants. The American Heart Association Health Care Provider, Level C, CPR certification meets this requirement as does EMS 1010 at Century. The Red Cross also offers an equivalent certification.
A copy of the program’s policy on hazardous materials, bloodborne pathogens, and infectious diseases is available upon request or by visiting http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/index.html
- Introduction to Dental Assisting
- Dental Assisting Pre-Clinic I and II
- Dental Materials
- Dental Radiology I and II
- Chairside Dental Assisting I and II
- Dental Specialties
- Dental Assisting Advanced Functions I and II
- Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Sedation
- Introduction of Dental Assisting Internships