Dental Assistant
- Technical Diploma
Program Number:
Program Credits:
Estimated Total Cost:
Typical Start:
Take on an important role in the healthcare field by becoming a dental assistant. You’ll work closely with patients as you guide them toward good oral health practices. In addition to assisting the dentist as he or she examines and treats patients, you may also have opportunities to work in a dental lab, take x-rays, schedule appointments, and/or manage the office. Our technical diploma curriculum prepares you to enter a private practice for a dentist or group of dentists, or to work with national, state, or local agencies that provide dental services. Chairside skills, dental anatomy, dental radiography, oral hygiene, OSHA standards, and communication skills are all included in the program.
Graduates may become certified by completing an examination by the Dental Assisting National Board.
Program-specific courses are held in the Health Science Center, a shared facility located a few blocks from the La Crosse main campus. Check our maps page [1] for specific location information.
*Please note that the delivery method for fall courses may change as the COVID-19 situation unfolds. Our goal is to ensure that teaching and learning happens in a safe environment. We will communicate updates as quickly as possible.
Dental Assistant 2018-2019 Graduation Employment Stats
| Graduates | 14 |
| Graduates Responding | 11 |
| Employed in Related Occupation | 10 |
| Employed in Non-related Occupations | 0 |
| Seeking Employment | 0 |
| Continuing Education | 0 |
| Not in Labor Market | 0 |
Salary Data - Related Employment
| Part Time | Full Time | |
|---|---|---|
| Responding | 1 | 5 |
| Average Hours Per Week | 38 | |
| Median Hourly Wage | $15.75 | |
| Hourly Wage Range | $14.40-$17.00 | |
| Median Annual Salary | $31,068.00 |
Respondents in Related Occupations
- Dental Assistant; Dr. Lehrke, La Crosse, WI
- Dental Assistant; Endodontist Specialists LLC, Onalaska, WI
- Dental Assistant; Pediatric Dentistry, Eau Claire, WI
- Dental Assistant; Midwest Dental, La Crosse, WI
- Dental Assistant; Deer Creek Dental Office, Tomah, WI
- Dental Assistant; Gentle Family Dentistry, La Crosse, WI
- Dental Assistant; Midwest Dental, La Crosse, WI
- Dental Assistant; Sparta Dental Center, Sparta, WI
Career Opportunities
Program Outcomes
- Living responsibly
- Refining professionalism
- Cultivating passion
- Perform a variety of advanced supportive dental procedures
- Manage infection and hazard control
- Produce diagnostic intraoral and extraoral radiographs on a variety of patients
- Perform advanced dental laboratory procedures
- Demonstrate professional behaviors, ethics, and appearance
- Perform dental office business procedures
Admission Requirements:
College Requirements
Application:
Application Fee:
Program Specific Requirements
To enroll in the Dental Assistant program, first apply for admission to the College, then read the program's Essential Functions and complete a background check. You can find links to these documents below. In addition, you must complete a Job Shadow at a dental office. The last step for admission to the program will be to complete an Intent to Enroll form. Please see the details below.
- Dental Assistant Essential Functions [2]
- Background Check [3]
- Dental Assistant Job Shadow form [4]
- Contact the Welcome Center to make an appointment with a Health & Public Safety College Advisor [5] to complete your Intent to Enroll form.
Accreditation
The program in Dental Assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312-440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda [6].
[6]
Additional Information
Program Contact
Lisa Mikkelson
Program Chair, Dental Assistant
608-785-9137
MikkelsonL@westerntc.edu [7]
Courses
The following list is not the official course list for this program. It is intended to give students an idea of what coursework will be required.
Current students should use the MyWestern [8] self-service portal when registering for class.