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Dental Assistant

AAS Diploma
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    • Dental Assistant
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Dental assistants are important members of any dental healthcare team, and a degree from SCTCC will prepare graduates with the skills needed to succeed in the workforce.

Instructors
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DEGREES IN Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant Associate of Applied Science

AAS
With an AAS, students learn soft and specialized skills for a career in the dental profession, like chairside assisting, infection control procedures, preparing instruments and materials, laboratory procedures, administrative duties, mechanical polishing, and application of sealants.
Course List

By the Numbers

60
Credits

Dental Assistant Diploma

DIP
The Diploma prepares students with the technical skills needed for a career as a Dental Assistant, including chairside assisting, infection control procedures, preparing instruments and materials, laboratory procedures, administrative duties and expanded functions such as mechanical polishing and application of sealants.
Course List

By the Numbers

53
Credits

Why Choose This Program

Our program will provide students with entry-level skills in chairside assisting alongside a dentist, infection control procedures, prepping instruments and materials, laboratory procedures, administrative duties, mechanical polishing, x-ray techniques, sealant application, as well as patient education. Students in this program are exposed to bloodborne pathogens and while in the program they learn to follow CDC guidelines.

With a degree from SCTCC, our graduates have found jobs in a variety of dental offices. Students also work as dental office managers in both public and private practices, in dental product sales, and as OSHA compliance officers.

A dental assistant is a highly sought after profession in the dental field that is continuing to grow. Employment of dental assistants was projected to grow at 25% through 2022 with more growth through 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.

100%
2023 Program Placement Rate
$31
Minnesota Median Wage

Placement rate from self-reported data of graduates available for work in field of study up to one year post graduation. Wage data is from Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). SCTCC Consumer Information.

From Degree to Career

When you choose the Dental Assistant program at SCTCC, you’ll gain skills to assist a dentist, hygienist, or work independently according to the State Dental Practice Act in addition to working in the business end of dentistry. There are several employers in the St. Cloud area as well as throughout the state of Minnesota that are eager to hire dental assistants for their dental teams.

Graduates from the SCTCC dental assistant program learn the required skills that allow them to apply for the state board exams that are required in the state of Minnesota. Our students graduate will gain experience preparing instruments, working with dental materials, infection control measures in a dental office, assisting a dentist as well as patient education for the prevention of dental diseases. 

Students at SCTCC will be able to utilize infection control measures, develop skills using the latest innovative technology in x-ray, office management, and chairside assisting as it relates to the dental profession 

SCTCC students can anticipate the sequence of dental procedures throughout the program that will allow them to take radiographs while also learning expanded functions such as; fabricating temporary crowns, applying sealants, taking impressions and much more. 

Quick Glance 
  • Prepare instruments, materials and treatment rooms 
  • Utilize infection control measures 
  • Anticipate sequence of dental procedures 
  • Utilize innovative technology as it relates to the dental profession 
  • Take radiographs and perform expanded duties such as fabricating temporary crowns and applying sealants  


View all program learner outcomes

Types of Careers 

From chairside dental assistant, dental office manager, to dental assisting instructor, SCTCC students have various career options they can pursue in the dental field. 

Our graduates have even had job opportunities working as dental product sales representatives and OSHA compliance officers. With the various career paths students can choose from, dental assisting students are exposed to all career paths which enables them to pursue the choice that is right for them. 

Potential Employers

Our graduates are highly employable. Students have found job opportunities working with private dental practices, group dental practices or clinics, specialty offices like Pediatric, Endodontics, Periodontics, Orthodontics and Oral Surgery, and even dental public health facilities. 

A day in the life of graduate from our dental assistant program consists of working in a corporate or private dental office as a chairside dental assistant. These graduates utilize skills learned in the SCTCC classrooms, like applying sealants and preparing instruments, materials, x-ray, and a variety of other expanded function skills. 

Projected Job Growth

Dental assisting is a quickly growing career field. Employment of dental assistants was projected to grow at 25% through 2022 with more growth through 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Students who graduate from our dental assistant program have had 100% employment with most gaining employment through the internship portion of their education over the past several years. That trend looks to continue due to the shortage of dental assistants in the state of Minnesota. 

Quick Glance 

Types of Careers 

  • Chairside dental assistant 

  • Dental office manager 

  • Dental assisting instructor 

  • Dental product sales representative 

  • OSHA compliance officer  

Potential Employers 

  • Private dental practice 

  • Group dental practice or clinics 

  • Specialty offices such as Orthodontics and Oral Surgery 

  • Dental Public Health facilities

SCTCC graduates are given tools to succeed in their careers. Our students have worked with various successful dental companies both private and corporate. 

Students from our dental assistant program have worked on Oral Surgery, Endodontic, Pediatric, Orthodontic, Periodontic offices in St. Cloud as well as offices throughout the state. With the skills taught at SCTCC, our graduates have the opportunity to find a career that is right for them. 

Quick Glance 
  • Kron and Erlandson 
  • Aspen Dental  
  • Oral Facial Surgery, P.A. 
  • Central MN Endodontics  
  • Central Minnesota Pediatric 
  • Avon Dental  
  • Park Dental  
  • Dental Care Associates  
  • K.O.A.L.A. Dental  
  • Central Lakes Oral & Facial Surgery  

With many other offices throughout the state of Minnesota. 

The SCTCC dental assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

Our graduates are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board Certification examination as well as the Minnesota licensure examination.

Over the past several years, SCTCC dental assistant students have scored above the national and state average on both of exams. After successful completion their exams, students earn the necessary credentials to succeed in the workforce the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA).

dental instructor showing student how to set up for xray
looking up at dental students in clinic setting
two dental students in a lab practicing
dental tools laid out for class
dental student setting up xray
two dental students in a lab practicing
a group of dental assisting students in lab, practicing techniques

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Are you ready to learn more about the Dental Assistant program and being a student at SCTCC?

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Request Information

Fill out this form to receive useful information that's specific to your program.

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Connect with the Admissions team

  • Call us at 320-308-5089
  • Email us at recruitment@sctcc.edu

  • On campus Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Visiting campus is an excellent opportunity to learn about SCTCC programs, the application process, and tour the state-of-the-art-labs and classrooms.

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Cyclone Tour

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Paying for College

Students choose SCTCC for a lot of reasons, but saving money is one reason we hear from almost every student at SCTCC. We’ve got a breakdown of the costs for the program, along with information on financial aid and scholarships.

Apply just once and you are considered for all eligible SCTCC scholarships. There are scholarships available specifically for students in the Dental Assistant program.

Program Costs   Applying for Financial Aid   SCTCC Scholarships
SCTCC is the best value with tuition at $6124. MinnState university is $9959. UofM is $14962. MN private university is $50979. *Based on average 2024 tuition & fees for 15 credits or full-time for an academic year. Some institutions charge additional fees.  Fees vary by program. For exact costs, contact the institution that interests you. The listed costs do not include room & board.
Dental Lab
Virtual Lab Tour

Program Info for Current Students

Program Admissions

Student Handbook

Dental Clinic

Dental Assistant Program Director

Kateri Mayer

Kateri Mayer

Dental Assistant Instructor

KMayer@sctcc.edu
320-308-5943
Current Pre-Dental Assistant Students at SCTCC:
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Academic Advising Center

advising@sctcc.edu
320-308-5741

Northway 1-401

1540 Northway Drive
St. Cloud, MN 56303

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Dental Hygiene and Assisting students at Give Kids a Smile event

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Students in SCTCC’s Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs worked with local dentists to provide free dental services to children during the annual Give Kids a Smile event. With the help of four...
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New Biology Labs bring new technology for students

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