Far from being scared, you find the dentist’s office sort of fascinating. Maybe there’s a job there. (Hint: It’s this one.)
Dental Assistant
44
Recent Graduates
There are 44 recent graduates of this Madison College program.
99%
Student Satisfaction
99% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
$38k
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $38,220.

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If you’d like to learn more about the Dental Assistant program, we’d love to talk with you.

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Dental Assistant
Program Number: 305082
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Health Sciences
Delivery Method:
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
16 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 semester
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$3,254.40

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    Madison College's Dental Assistant program trains you to perform chair-side assisting and related office and laboratory procedures under the direction and supervision of a dentist.

    The Dental Assistant program includes instruction and practical experience in how to identify, use and care of dental equipment and instruments; expose and process radiographs; record medical and dental information; assist with dental emergencies; perform basic office procedures; and maintain an inventory of supplies.

    Program Details

    Dental Assistant is a one-semester, full-time program. Students are accepted for fall, spring and summer semesters.

    Classes are offered Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.

    Dental Assistant program classes are offered at our Madison Truax campus.

    Careers

    Earning your Dental Assistant Technical Diploma at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as a:

    • Chair-side Assistant - working directly with the dentist in the treatment area.
    • Laboratory Assistant - performing laboratory functions as directed by the dentist.
    • Receptionists/Office Assistant - responsible for operation of the business office.
    • Claims Approver - working for an insurance company approving dental insurance claims.

    With additional education and/or work experience you may find employment as a:

    • Dental Office Manager - responsible for operation of the practice.
    • Dental Laboratory Technician - performing mechanical, technically skilled tasks specified by the written prescription of the dentist.
    • Dental Sales Representative - working for a dental supply business, providing products and services to dental offices.
    Top 10 Program
    Our Dental Assistant Program is mentioned as one of the top 10 programs in the nation
  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    First Semester
    10-508-101
    1 credit
    31-508-302
    5 credits
    31-508-303
    2 credits
    31-508-304
    2 credits
    31-508-305
    2 credits
    31-508-312
    1 credit
    31-508-307
    1 credit
    Get Hands-on Experience!

    The hands-on experience you'll get at Madison College goes in-depth, even exploring some expanded functions which make our dental assistants more valuable in the field.

  • Admission

    To Apply

    Students need to complete the petition process to get into core-program classes for this program. Before submitting an application, it’s important to review the Petition Process webpage which also includes estimated wait times for each program.

      • View the admission requirements for application deadlines, materials, and requirements
         
      • There is currently 0-1 semesters between acceptance into pre-program and the start of core classes. The estimated time to enter the core-program is subject to change based on the variable number of students ready to petition each semester.
         
      • Learn more about the Madison College experience and get help with the admissions process

      After Acceptance

      Once you have been accepted in a pre-program status, your next step is to complete the Petition Requirements. See the Petition information in the next section.    

      Additional Notes

      Students are required to meet the current admission and petition requirements. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.

      Questions?

      Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

      apply for admission

      Get Started!

      Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Dental Assistant career.

      It's Free to Apply

    • Petition

      After Acceptance

      After you have been admitted into a pre-program status, complete all of the Petition Requirements for your program. Login to your student account and run a Degree Progress Report to review the Petition Requirements and see which requirements you have completed and which need to be satisfied.

      Requirements vary by program, and may include some or all of the following:

      • Petition Workshop: This is done online and can be found in Blackboard after you have been admitted in a pre-program status
      • Prerequisites (examples: Algebra, Geometry, Chemistry, Biology, English and Reading): This varies by program
      • Course Requirements (examples: Anatomy and Physiology, Intro to Psychology, etc.): This varies by program
      • Testing Requirement (examples: ACT, HESI, TEAS): This varies by program

      You can view the Petition Requirements for this program using the links below.

      Summer 2023, Fall 2023 and Spring 2024

      Summer 2024, Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

      After completing the petition requirements, students are then selected for entry into core-program courses through the Petition Process.

      Questions?

      Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

    • Career Outcomes

      After completing the Dental Assistant program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:

      • Perform a variety of entry-level supportive dental procedures
      • Manage infection and hazard control
      • Produce diagnostic radiographs
      • Perform basic dental laboratory procedures
      • Demonstrate professional behaviors, ethics and appearance
      • Graduate Summary

        Graduate Report Summary Overview

        202020212022
        Number of Program Graduates482544
        Number of Surveys Sent482544
        Number of Surveys Returned321730
        Percent of Surveys Returned
        Available for Employment291224
        Percent Available for Employment90.60%70.60%92.30%
        Not in Labor Market
        Percent Not in Labor Market9.40%29.40%23.10%
        Available for Employment

        202020212022
        Graduates Employed281224
        Percent of Graduates Employed96.60%100.00%100.00%
        Employed in Related Occupation22922
        Percent Employed in Related Occupation78.60%75.00%91.70%
        Employed in Unrelated Occupation532
        Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation17.90%25.00%8.30%
        Employed - No Response100
        Percent Employed - No Response3.60%0.00%0.00%
        Seeking Employment100
        Percent Seeking Employment3.40%0.00%0.00%
        Reaction To Training at Madison College

        202020212022
        Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.43.53.7
        Number of Satisfaction Responses321726
        Very Satisfied (4)14917
        Percent Very Satisfied43.80%52.90%65.40%
        Satisfied (3)1889
        Percent Satisfied56.30%47.10%34.60%
        Unsatisfied (2)000
        Percent Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Very Unsatisfed (1)000
        Percent Very Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

        202020212022
        Number of Primary Reason Responses321730
        Preparation for Getting a Job201117
        Percent Preparation for Getting a Job62.50%64.70%56.70%
        Career Change423
        Percent Career Change12.50%11.80%10.00%
        Improvement of Existing Skills000
        Percent Improvement of Existing Skills0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Preparation for Further Education7410
        Percent Preparation for Further Education21.90%23.50%33.30%
        Personal Interest100
        Percent Personal Interest3.10%0.00%0.00%
        Other000
        Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
        When Employment was Obtained

        202020212022
        Number of When Employment Obtained Responses231224
        Before Enrollment232
        Percent Before Enrollment8.70%25.00%8.30%
        While Attending the College238
        Percent While Attending the College8.70%25.00%33.30%
        After Training at the College19614
        Percent After Training at the College82.60%50.00%58.30%
        Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

        202020212022
        Number of Employment Location Responses261223
        In College District241123
        Percent In College District92.30%91.70%100.00%
        In Wisconsin, Not in District000
        Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Outside of Wisconsin110
        Percent Outside Wisconsin3.80%8.30%0.00%
        Employer Location Unknown100
        Percent Location Unknown3.80%0.00%0.00%
        Salary Trend
        Salary Trend202020212022
        Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count16814
        Average Monthly Wage$2,966$3,003$3,185
        Average Hourly Wage$17.24$17.46$18.52
        Average Work Hours per Week38.238.639.8
        Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count417
        Average Hourly Wage$15.75$16.50$18.41
        Average Work Hours per Week303226
      • Graduate Employers

        Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
        Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
        Access Community Health CenterDental Assistant3
        Access Community Health CenterDental AssistantSun Prairie
        Affordable dental careLead Dental Assistant
        Center for Oral and Maxillofacial SurgerySurgical Technologist
        DeForest Dental ServicesDental AssistantDeForest
        Dental Health AssociatesDental Assistant2
        Dental Health AssociatesDental AssistantFitchburg
        First Choice Dental GroupDental AssistantSun Prairie
        First Choice Dental GroupDental AssistantStoughton
        Four Lakes Family DentalDental Assistant
        Madison Oral Surgery & DentalOral Surgery Assistant
        Madison Pediatric DentalPediatric Dental AssistantMonona
        Midwest DentalDental Assistant2
        Midwest DentalDental AssistantWatertown
        Silver Creek DentistryDental AssistantRipon
        Stacey DentalDental Assistant

        * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

        ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

        *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

    Ready to get started?
    Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!
    Contact the School of Health Sciences

    Madison Truax Campus
    Health Building, 103

    1705 Hoffman Street
    Madison, Wisconsin 53704

    healthsciences@madisoncollege.edu
    608.616.1250

    Hours

    • Monday – Thursday: 8 am - 4 pm
    • Friday: 8 am - 12 pm (Help by phone or email)