Dental Assisting

Graduates of the diploma program will be highly trained dental assisting students who have the skills required to be competent members of a dental healthcare team, deliver quality dental healthcare to the public, and have the knowledge necessary to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) in the state of South Dakota. Dental assisting tasks include providing direct patient care, assisting during a variety of dental procedures, obtaining medical/dental histories, vital signs, dental radiographs, and impressions for dental models, teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies, applying preventive agents, placing pit and fissure sealants, developing, coordinating, and serving as an infection control officer, and performing office management tasks.

The Dental Assisting program 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. The Commission’s web address is: https://coda.ada.org/en.

The Dental Assisting program is approved by the South Dakota Board of Dentistry. If you plan to practice outside of South Dakota, you are encouraged to check with the state licensing and certification requirements.

To gain acceptance into the WDT Dental Assisting program, applicants must:

1. Complete WDTC application online at www.wdt.edu
2. Submit high school transcript or GED scores.
3. Submit immunization records verifying two doses of MMR vaccinations.
4. Submit official college transcripts if you have previously attended a post-secondary institution.
5.  Schedule an Admissions Advising Session (can be completed on campus or by phone).
6.  Complete the ACCUPLACER test ($15.00 fee). Call 605-718-2565 to schedule an appointment.

The ACCUPLACER test will be waived if you have an ACT sub-score of 18 or better in English, Math, and Reading.  To waive the ACCUPLACER with SAT scores a student will need a 500 on the MATH subsection of ACT and a composite of 970 to waive Writing and Reading. To place into MATH 114 a student will need a 520 on the MATH subsection.  

To continue into Dental Assisting clinical, students must submit the following to:

Western Dakota Technical College
Attn: Dental Assisting Instructor
800 Mickelson Dr.
Rapid City, SD 57703

1. Provide a copy of current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider AHA-CPR certification*
2. Provide a copy of immunization records (Hepatitis B Series, TB test, COVID-19)*

*Students are responsible for additional costs.

The program lead instructor will assist students with any clinical or internship site requirements.

Note: 

If you are or have been convicted, pleaded guilty or no contest to, or received a suspended imposition of sentence for a felony or certain misdemeanors, you are advised that you may not be able to complete all course requirements for your chosen program, you may be prevented from taking required certification/licensure examinations in your chosen program field, and you may be prevented from gaining employment in your program field.

Students that sit out for a spring or fall semester or longer, will return under a new Catalog and may be required to repeat courses or successfully complete new or revised skills or competency assessments. Before readmittance, the program may need to determine if a student is eligible to continue in technical courses. Program sequencing and cohort size may prevent enrollment in technical courses.

Clinicals, practicums, and internships may include, but are not limited to, differential shifts (evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays) to meet industry expectations. This may require travel outside the Rapid City Area.

The Dental Assisting program is approved by the South Dakota Board of Dentistry. Students are encouraged to check with the state licensing and certification requirements they plan to practice, if it is outside out South Dakota.

Download Application Process Checklist

The dental assistant may work in a private or group practice setting specializing in general dentistry, oral surgery, orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, or pedodontics. Dental sales and marketing of products is another career opportunity for the dental assistant. If you have strong communication skills, enjoy working with your hands as well as your mind, and want a career with responsibility, dental assisting is for you.

Program Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Master Syllabi

Program Handbook

Program Flyer

Steps for Credential