DEGREES IN Dental Assistant
Dental Assistant Associate of Applied Science
By the Numbers
Dental Assistant Diploma
By the Numbers
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.
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
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Chairside dental assistant
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Dental office manager
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Dental assisting instructor
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Dental product sales representative
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OSHA compliance officer
Potential Employers
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Private dental practice
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Group dental practice or clinics
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Specialty offices such as Orthodontics and Oral Surgery
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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 St. Cloud Technical & Community College (SCTCC) Dental Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
The SCTCC dental assistant program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. February 2022 was the last site visit to SCTCC. The DA program has Full Accreditation Approval until the next onsite visit in 2029.
There are specific accreditation standards that our program must follow directly related to the quality of the SCTCC Dental Assistant Program. If for some reason, you believe that the program goals, institutional objectives and/or accreditation standards are not being met, you may contact the Commission of Dental Accreditation at the following address:
Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
The American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Il 60611
312-440-4653
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Are you ready to learn more about the Dental Assistant program and being a student at SCTCC?
Fill out this form to receive useful information that's specific to your program.
- Call us at 320-308-5089
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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.
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.
Dental Assistant Program Director
Current Pre-Dental Assistant Students at SCTCC:
Northway 1-401
1540 Northway Drive
St. Cloud, MN 56303
Good Stuff
Dental Assistant Students Head to Kindergarten
Dental Students Give Kids a Smile
