Degrees and Certificates
Why Choose This Program
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.
We ensure our students learn chairside assisting, infection control procedures, prepping instruments and materials, laboratory procedures, administrative duties, mechanical polishing, and sealant application. 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 with dentists' offices. Students have even worked as dental office managers in both public and private practices, in dental product sales, and as OSHA compliance officers.
Working as a dental assistant is a highly secured job, as dentistry is one of the most fast-growing fields. There is an expected 25% increase in the occupation by 2022.
Placement rate from self-reported data of employment in field of study up to one year post graduation.
Wage data is from Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
From Degree to Career
When you choose the Dental Assisting program at SCTCC, you’ll gain skills that will directly transfer to the workplace. There are several employers in the St. Cloud area that are ready to hire dental assistants, and the job field is one of the most fast-growing fields.
Graduates from the SCTCC dental assistant program learn the required skills to excel in their careers. Our students graduate with ability to prepare instruments, materials, and treatment rooms.
After graduation, students even know how to utilize infection control measures and innovative technology as it relates to the dental profession.
To assist dentists on the job, SCTCC graduates can anticipate the sequence of dental procedures and can take radiographs and perform expanded duties like fabricating temporary crowns, applying sealants, 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
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, we ensure every student finds the right choice 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 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 at a private dental office as a chairside dental assistant. These graduates utilize skills learned in the SCTCC classrooms, like applying sealants and preparing instruments, materials, and treatment rooms.
Projected Job Growth
Dental assisting is a quickly growing career field. Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 25% from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Students who graduate from our dental assistant program are guaranteed a career.
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 such as Aspen Dental, Koala Dental, and Park Dental.
Students from our dental assistant program have even worked with Oral Facial Surgery, P.A., Central MN Endodontics, Avon Dental, Dental Care Associates, and Central Lakes Oral and Facial Surgery. With the skills taught at SCTCC, our graduates have the opportunity to find careers at the place right for them.
Quick Glance
- Aspen Dental
- Oral Facial Surgery, P.A.
- Central MN Endodontics
- Avon Dental
- Park Dental
- Dental Care Associates
- Koala Dental
- Central Lakes Oral & Facial Surgery
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).
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Are you ready to learn more about the Dental Assisting program and being a student at SCTCC? Contact our instructors directly or join us for an info session to meet with instructors and Admissions representatives to get started.
Connect with the SCTCC Admissions team:
- Call us at 320-308-5089
- Email us at enroll@sctcc.edu
- On campus Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
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.
Current Students
Current Dental Assisting students - this is your place for information.
Kateri Mayer
Dental Assisting Instructor
kmayer@sctcc.edu
320-308-5943
Current Pre-Dental Hygiene Students at SCTCC:
Academic Advising Center
Email: aac@sctcc.edu
Phone: 320-308-5741
Office: Northway Building, 1-312
Dental assisting students are invited to participate in (SADAA) Student American Dental Assistants Association and the Minnesota Dental Assistants Association.
SADAA is an organization created to help students develop leadership skills and self-confidence. Continued membership provides the graduate with professional contacts, opportunities for learning through continuing education and a chance to participate in local and national governance of profession organizations.
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