Dental Assistant

Category: Healthcare

Program Description

In the Dental Assistant program, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to become an important member of a professional health team in a dental office or clinic.  You may earn a Dental Assistant Diploma or an AAS Degree.  A dental assistant performs many duties at chairside, including assisting the dentist during patient treatment.  The assistant must also be skilled in related office and laboratory procedures, as well as the MN State Board of Dentistry, expanded functions.

Dental Assistant graduates are employed in many areas of dentistry, including general dentistry as well as dental specialties such as pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics and periodontics, and more.


To begin the Dental Assistant program, please apply to the college and review additional steps under the Application Process section below.

Program Information

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Class Time: Day
Semester: Fall and Spring Semester- Brooklyn Park, Fall Semester only- Eden Prairie
Campus: Eden Prairie and Brooklyn Park

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Skills Required

Personal qualities considered essential for this occupation are the ability to work well with others, the desire to be a part of a professional team, manual dexterity, good communication skills, and the ability to follow direct supervision.

Program Requirements

Prerequisites:

Students are required to complete the following prior to the first semester:

  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Tetanus vaccination (TDAP) within the last 10 years
  • Hepatitis B Vaccination (2 vaccinations of a series of 3 must be completed)
  • Mantoux testing required within first two weeks of fall semester courses
  • Dental Immunization Form

First semester:

  • Completed the EMSV1020 CPR/First Aid course or current CPR. CPR must be BLS from either the American Heart Association or American Red Cross and contain a hands-on component.
  • COMM1250 Interpersonal Communication (C or better grade) or COMM1260 Small Group Communication (C or better grade)
  • DNTL1121 Dental Science (C or better grade)
  • ENGL1100 Writing and Research or ENGL1250 Short Form Composition and Reporting (C or better grade)

Important information while in the program:

  • Current certification of Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is mandatory throughout the entire program, including externships. Proof of current CPR certification is also required in order to take the national certification examinination.
  • Minnesota law requires a background study for any persons who provide services that involve direct contact with children, patients, and residents at a health or child care faciltiy licensed by the State of Minnesota. Contact the Department of Human Services (651-431-2000) with questions.
  • A written notification is required from a physician or obstetrician for a pregnant student to continue enrollment in Radiology, expanded functions, and clinical externships.
  • Information is available on the Hennepin Tech website and from enrollment advisors, Hennepin Tech counselors, and dental assistant program faculty which state the risks of entering this profession in regard to bloodborne pathogens and disease transmission, including needlesticks.
  • The final term of the program includes unpaid externships at two different clinics around the Twin Cities. More information will be shared the first day of class once accepted into the program.

Wages/Outlook/Advancement

Wage and Job Outlook information for this program are available at Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED). Dental Assistants are employed in private and group practices, government public health clinics, dental sales, insurance companies, educational facilities, and the armed forces.

Ready To Apply?

Click below to get started!

Are you a current student with a question?

Contact OneStop today!

Email: OneStop@HennepinTech.edu

Phone: 952-995-1300

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News

Dental Assisting Alum returns as industry professional, thanks Tutoring Center for successes

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Dental Assisting alum Sasha Lehman
Sasha Lehman, a 2017 graduate of Hennepin Technical college is not only a licensed Dental Assistant, she is also on a mission to help her employer recruit talent.

High school students explore medical careers during Men Who Care event

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

male nursing instructor with high school students
High school students from across the West Metro gathered at the Eden Prairie Hennepin Technical College campus to learn more about Nursing and Dental careers during the Men Who Care event.

From lemons to lemonade! An unexpected career change provides benefits

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Dental Assistant graduate
Dental Assistant graduate Shanthi Parevadhini describes how Hennepin Tech helped her overcome a major career challenge.

Dental Assistant gives advice to future students

Monday, June 5, 2023

Graduate Isabella Engstrom
Dental Assistant Isabella Engstrom is celebrating graduation day and giving advice to future students.