Dental Assistant

48

Recent Graduates

There are 48 recent graduates of this Madison College program.

99%

Student Satisfaction

99% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.

$36k

Annual Salary

Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $35,592.

Data source: Graduate Summary Report

Technical Diploma

Program Number: 305082

Credits: 16

Area of Study: Health Sciences

Delivery Method:
Some Online / Some In Person*

Financial Aid Available

Estimated Program Cost:

Tuition - $2,256.00
Materials/Supplemental Costs
-
$565.60
Other Costs
-
$238.00
----------------
Total Estimated Program Costs*:
$3,059.60
Overview

Overview

Madison College's Dental Assistant program trains you to perform chairside 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

Wisconsin law requires background checks for persons who provide care for others or have access to people who receive care. This law applies to students in many School of Health Sciences programs. Please review the Caregiver Background Check information on the School of Health Sciences Forms and Policies.

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 may be offered at these Madison College campuses:

  • Madison - Truax

Explore financial aid eligibility for this program. 

Admission

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.

After Acceptance

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

Summer 2021, Fall 2021 and Spring 2022     

Summer 2022, Fall 2022 and Spring 2023    

Questions?

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

Curriculum

Curriculum

Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2021-2022 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.

Transfer

Transfer Partnerships

There are currently no Transfer Partnerships for this program. Review our Transfer Opportunities page for information on all Madison College transfer options.

Outcomes

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
Careers

Careers

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

  • Chairside 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.

 

  • Graduate Summary
    Graduate Report Summary Overview

    		201820192020
    Number of Program Graduates434748
    Number of Surveys Sent434748
    Number of Surveys Returned333732
    Percent of Surveys Returned76.7%78.7%66.7%
    Available for Employment302629
    Percent Available for Employment100.0%89.7%90.6%
    Not in Labor Market3103
    Percent Not in Labor Market10.0%34.5%9.4%
    Available for Employment

    		201820192020
    Graduates Employed262628
    Percent of Graduates Employed86.7%100.0%96.6%
    Employed in Related Occupation222322
    Percent Employed in Related Occupation84.6%88.5%78.6%
    Employed in Unrelated Occupation335
    Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation11.5%11.5%17.9%
    Employed - No Response101
    Percent Employed - No Response3.8%0.0%3.6%
    Seeking Employment401
    Percent Seeking Employment13.3%0.0%3.4%
    Reaction To Training at Madison College

    		201820192020
    Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.33.53.4
    Number of Satisfaction Responses302832
    Very Satisfied (4)141514
    Percent Very Satisfied46.7%53.6%43.8%
    Satisfied (3)141318
    Percent Satisfied46.7%46.4%56.3%
    Unsatisfied (2)000
    Percent Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
    Very Unsatisfed (1)200
    Percent Very Unsatisfied6.7%0.0%0.0%
    Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

    		201820192020
    Number of Primary Reason Responses333632
    Preparation for Getting a Job13820
    Percent Preparation for Getting a Job39.4%22.2%62.5%
    Career Change864
    Percent Career Change24.2%16.7%12.5%
    Improvement of Existing Skills100
    Percent Improvement of Existing Skills3.0%0.0%0.0%
    Preparation for Further Education10197
    Percent Preparation for Further Education30.3%52.8%21.9%
    Personal Interest121
    Percent Personal Interest3.0%5.6%3.1%
    Other010
    Percent Other0.0%2.8%0.0%
    When Employment was Obtained

    		201820192020
    Number of When Employment Obtained Responses232623
    Before Enrollment232
    Percent Before Enrollment8.7%11.5%8.7%
    While Attending the College552
    Percent While Attending the College21.7%19.2%8.7%
    After Training at the College161819
    Percent After Training at the College69.6%69.2%82.6%
    Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

    		201820192020
    Number of Employment Location Responses262728
    In College District232124
    Percent In College District88.5%77.8%85.7%
    In Wisconsin, Not in District232
    Percent of In Wisconsin7.7%11.1%7.1%
    Outside of Wisconsin011
    Percent Outside Wisconsin0.0%3.7%3.6%
    Employer Location Unknown121
    Percent Location Unknown3.8%7.4%3.6%
    Salary Trend
    Salary Trend201820192020
    Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count121416
    Average Monthly Wage$2,560$2,627$2,966
    Average Hourly Wage$14.88$15.27$17.24
    Average Work Hours per Week38.039.938.2
    Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count964
    Average Hourly Wage$16.56$16.00$15.75
    Average Work Hours per Week27.426.030.0
  • Graduate Employers
    Graduate Employers for academic year: 2019
    Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions
    Access Community Health Center Dental Assistant 2
    Associated Dentists Dental Assistant Verona
    Byce & Worman Dental Assistant
    Columbus Family Dental Dental Assistant Columbus
    D&S Dental Laboratory Dental Lab Technician Waunakee
    Dental Associates Dental Assistant Franklin
    Dental Express Staffing Dental Assistant Wilton
    Dental Health Associates Dental Assistant 2
    Family Health La Clinica Dental Assistant Wautoma
    Jody Schilling Dds Clinical Assistant
    McKinney Dental Dental Assistant
    Middleton Family Dental Dental Assistant Middleton
    Midwest Dental Dental Assistant Reedsburg 2
    Nakoma Dental Patient Care Coordinator
    Radiant Smile Dentistry Dental Assistant
    Warren Family Dental Dental Assistant
    West University Family Dentistry Dental Assistant Middleton

    * - 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

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