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Dental Assistant
Technical Diploma
Why choose Dental Assistant?
- High demand for employment.
- You’ll gain confidence with your new skills while receiving practical training at one of our dental office partners.
- Full-time program with completion in 6 months.
Dental assistants are important members of any dental team. They perform a variety of tasks, from patient care to office and laboratory duties. A typical day may include greeting and seating patients, preparing and sterilizing the room and instruments for treatment, taking dental radiographs, assisting the dentist with procedures, and giving patients post-treatment care instructions.
Program Locations
Family Health Center of Marshfield
1307 North Saint Joseph Avenue
Marshfield, WI 54449
Delivery:
Hybrid/Blended
Daytime
Full-Time
Varying Class Schedule
Length of Program: Short Term
Credits: 16
Start Dates: Fall or Spring
What You'll Learn
In this program, you will learn to use dental equipment, expose and process radiographs, assist with dental emergencies, record medical and dental information, maintain a supply inventory, and perform related dental office and laboratory procedures.
Students in the program receive practical training on-site with one of our dental office partners. Hands-on experiences include working with dental practice management software and dental equipment and materials. Students will also operate x-ray units and other digital imaging devices to perform radiographs.
Outcomes
- Perform a variety of entry-level supportive dental procedures.
- Manage infection and hazard control.
- Produce diagnostic radiographs.
- Perform basic dental laboratory procedures.
- Demonstrate professional behaviors, ethics, and appearance.
Employability Skills
- Behave Responsibly: Ethical Behavior, Self-Responsibility, Conflict Resolution, Collaboration
- Communicate Effectively: Writing, Technical Documentation, Listening, Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Reading
- Critical & Creative Thinking: Inquiry, Evidence Collection, Analysis, Reasoning, Reflection (Metacognition)
- Cultural, Social, & Global Awareness: Global Awareness, Social & Cultural Awareness, Social Responsibility
- Use Appropriate Technology: Use of Technology, Confidentiality, Security, Digital Civility
Learn more about employability skills at Mid-State.
Estimated Entire Program Cost
Cost based on the 2024/25 academic year.
- Tuition & Fees: $3,008.27
- Books: $289.43
- Supplies, Uniforms, and/or Exams: $102.35
- Total Estimated Cost: $3,400.05
Financial Aid Eligibility
This program is eligible for prorated Financial Aid based on length of program and/or number of credits. Aid may not be enough to cover all program costs.
Other funding partners for Mid-State’s Dental Assistant program are the Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation and the Mid-State Foundation & Alumni.
Cost of Attendance
Learn more about Cost of Attendance, an estimated budget that includes categories of expenses a student can expect to incur while attending.
This course has options available to receive credit for prior learning (CPL) or work experience.
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31508301 | Dental Health Safety | 1 | |
| 31508302 | Dental Chairside | 5 | |
| 31508303 | Dental Materials | 2 | |
| 31508304 | Dental & General Anatomy | 2 | |
| 31508305 | Applied Dental Radiography | 2 | |
| 31508306 | Dental Assistant Clinical | 3 | |
| 31508307 | Dental Assistant Professional | 1 | |
| Term Total | 16 Credits | ||
| Program Total | 16 Credits |
Instructors
BRENDA ALBERTS, MEd, RDH, CDA, EFDA, AEMT
Brenda is a registered dental hygienist and certified dental assistant with a master of arts in education/teacher leadership from Silver Lake College. She also holds a BS in career and technical education and training from UW-Stout and an AAS in dental hygiene from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC), as well as licensure and technical diplomas in EMT and advanced EMT. Her national certifications include CPR, local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, and standard proficiency laser. Brenda’s 20 years of dental experience include roles as a dental hygienist and assistant. She has taught in the dental hygiene and dental assisting programs at NWTC and Northcentral Technical College. She continues to practice dental hygiene during summer and winter breaks to stay current in the field.
“I love everything dental, and I love teaching at Mid-State! I am here to help students achieve their goals.”
DAYNE OERTEL, AAS, RDH
Dayne is a registered dental hygienist with an associate degree in dental hygiene from Northcentral Technical College. She also holds Basic Life Support certification and Wisconsin Technical College teaching certification. A former Central Wisconsin co-liaison for the American Dental Hygiene Association, Dayne’s teaching draws on 34 years of dental experience. She has worked in clinical hygiene, office management, hygiene management, and education. Her teaching experience includes 16 years as an adjunct clinical instructor at Northcentral Technical College. Prior to joining Mid-State she was also a Central Wisconsin Professional Educator on behalf of WaterpikTM.
“I’m a proud lifelong learner with a passion for everything in the dental field. As a manager, I saw the need for this Dental Assistant program to meet the workforce needs in our rural communities, and I chose to teach at Mid-State to ensure we have enough clinicians in the dental community. I believe that my role as educator combines being a role model, mentoring, and providing coaching to inspire others to love this profession as much as I do.”
Careers
- Dental Assistant
- Orthodontic Assistant
Fast-Track
High school students are eligible to enroll in this program and all courses required. Learn more about Mid-State Fast-Track.
- Additional Resources
Take the Next Step
“The instructors are great. They are encouraging and always want to see their students succeed—they’re proud when they see students achieving their goals.”
JODILYNN FEIT
GRADUATE
Choose Your Path
Career pathways help you take your education one step at a time to maximize your investment and make college fit your life. Earn a credential and start using it in the workforce. Continue with another stack of related courses to gain a more advanced diploma or degree. Explore this program’s pathway in the graphic below. For an even quicker first step to a degree or diploma, check out our short-term certificates.
Transfer • Dual Credit • Credit for Prior Learning
