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Title

Dental Assisting

Intro

The knowledge and clinical practice you need to write your exams and begin a rewarding career. Dental assistants work closely with dentists and patients, cleaning and polishing teeth, taking digital dental X-rays, administering sedation and more.

Degrees

Dental Assisting

Degree:

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Location:

Moorhead Campus

Credits:

Dental Assisting

Degree:

Diploma

Location:

Moorhead Campus

Credits:

Overview

Program Overview

Gain the knowledge and hands-on skills experience to work closely and confidently with dentists during direct patient care, including diagnostic, preventative and operative procedures. General education and biomedical and dental science courses are coupled with on-campus labs and off-campus clinical affiliations in general, community and specialty dental practice to prepare you to write the Dental Assisting National Board Certification Exam, Minnesota State Board of Dentistry Licensure Exam, and Minnesota Board of Dentistry Jurisprudence Exam.

You’ll learn to:

Perform dental lab procedures
Provide expanded functions authorized by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry, such as taking digital dental X-rays, polishing teeth, placing dental sealants, fabricating temporary crowns, administering nitrous oxide sedation and orthodontic duties
Manage business office responsibilities, such as appointment scheduling and billing procedures

Accreditation

See program accreditation details at Accreditation.

Related Programs

You may also be interested in our Health Sciences Broad Field Transfer Pathway, Pre-Professional Health Transfer Pathway, Associate Degree Nursing program, or Practical Nursing diploma program.

Scholarships/Cost

M State has one of the lowest tuition rates in Minnesota, and thanks to grants, scholarships and sponsorships, more than half of all M State students have a completely tuition-free experience.

Learn all about our low tuition rates and fees at Detailed Cost. To explore financial aid options, visit Paying for College. We also offer Zero Textbook Cost programs and courses, which can save you substantial money on books; learn more at Z-Degrees.

Foundation Scholarships

M State's two foundations award more than $280,000 in student scholarships each year. You may be eligible — learn more at Foundations.

Workforce Development Scholarships

More than 40 programs at M State offer Workforce Development Scholarships to new students. See if your program is eligible and apply at Workforce Development Scholarships.

Business and Industry Sponsorships

M State collaborates with local businesses to offer valuable student support, such as financial assistance, internships, part-time jobs and full-time career opportunities. Find details at Business and Industry Partner Sponsorships.

Sample Classes

DNAS1103 - Clinical Assisting I

Credits:

6 (3/3/0)

This course includes an orientation to the history of dentistry, educational requirements, credentialing opportunities and professional associations for dental and allied dental careers. The student is provided with instruction in the use of dental equipment, instruments and supplies; principles of four-handed dentistry; concepts of infection control and instrument recirculation; management of medical and dental emergencies; and procedures related to oral diagnosis, preventive dentistry and restorative dentistry.

DNAS1119 - Advanced Functions

Credits:

5 (2/3/0)

This course is designed to provide the student with instruction and practice to perform the clinical competency in the following intra-oral functions approved by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry: taking radiographic exposures, performing mechanical polishing, taking preliminary impressions and bite registrations, applying topical fluoride, placing and removing periodontal dressing, removing excess cement, monitoring nitrous oxide-induced patients, induction of nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation, removing excess bond from orthodontic appliances with rotary instruments and applying pit and fissure sealants. In addition the following intra-oral functions are taught and practiced to laboratory competency: removing sutures, preliminary adaptation of temporary (provisional) crowns, performing selected orthodontic functions, applying bleaching agents and performing approved endodontic procedures.

Meet the Faculty

Sarah Desjarlais

Dental Hygiene Faculty

sarah.desjarlais@minnesota.edu

Robin Peltier

Dental Program Director

robin.peltier@minnesota.edu

Michelle Samuelson

Dental Faculty

michelle.samuelson@minnesota.edu

Crystal Shumake

Dental Faculty

crystal.shumake@minnesota.edu

Sydney Stoa

Dental Hygiene Faculty

sydney.stoa@minnesota.edu

Student Stories

Meet Sandrine

"M State’s smaller classes make it easier to talk to teachers, and it will help you reach your goals earlier."

Read Sandrine's story

Additional Details

Our Associate of Applied Science degree programs make it possible for you to seamlessly transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue an advanced degree. There are many advantages of beginning your postsecondary studies at M State, including cost savings due to our low tuition rate and smaller class sizes with personalized instruction. Learn more about your transfer options at Transfer Programs and Pathways.

How to Apply

The Dental Assisting program has some special requirements for admission. You can apply by following these four easy steps:

Apply to M State
Review the Dental Assisting program admission requirements
Apply to the Dental Assisting program (fall 2025 application will be available on Jan. 2, 2025)
Review the Dental Assisting Application Assessment

Dental Assisting

Program Overview

Scholarships/Cost

Sample Classes

Meet the Faculty

Student Stories

Additional Details

How to Apply

Get Started at M State!