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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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Financial Aid Available-
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 am - 3:20 pm.
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.
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 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 SemesterThe 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.
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Admission
Spring 2026 - Secure Your Spot in Pre-Program!
This program operates on a petition process. To be eligible to enroll in program classes, students must first complete petition requirements and go through the petition process.
Before submitting an application, be sure to:
- Review the Petition section.
- Review the admission requirements for deadlines, materials, and requirements.
- Estimated Wait Time: Up to 0-1 semester wait time 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.
- Make sure you can meet the program’s essential functions safely, reliably and efficiently within the scope of practice. If you need accommodations, contact our Disability Resource Services office.
Additional Notes
Students are required to meet the current admission requirements, petition requirements, and complete the petition process. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.
Beginning Summer 2026 – Secure Your Spot on the Waiting List!
This program operates on a waiting list. To be eligible to enroll in program classes, students must first complete academic preparedness requirements and go through the declaration process.
Before submitting an application, be sure to:
- Review the Waiting List section.
- Review the admission requirements for deadlines, materials, and requirements.
- Estimated Wait Time: Up to 0-1 semester wait time between when students are core ready and when they become eligible to enroll in program classes. This timeline may vary depending on how many students complete the declaration process each semester.
- Program Capacity: 20 spots each Summer semester; 15 spots each Fall and Spring semester. Up to 5 spots for students affiliated with community organizations who promote upward mobility and assist with providing educational opportunities and support.
- Make sure you can meet the program’s essential functions safely, reliably and efficiently within the scope of practice. If you need accommodations, contact our Disability Resource Services office.
Need help? Learn more about the Madison College experience and get support with your application.
Start your application today and take the next step toward your career goals!
Additional Notes
Students are required to meet the current admission requirements, academic preparedness requirements, and complete the declaration process. 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.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Dental Assistant career.
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Waiting List
Beginning Summer 2026
This program uses a waiting list to manage program admission due to capacity limitations and program demand. This means there are typically more applicants than there are open seats in the program. A waiting list helps us manage applications in a way that is fair and transparent.
This program has academic preparedness requirements that must be completed before beginning core classes. When you’ve completed all academic preparedness requirements, you will complete the declaration process.
Pre-core students can run their Degree Progress Report to confirm which academic preparedness requirements are satisfied/not satisfied and view specific ways to satisfy requirements.
Prerequisites:
- Algebra (testing, college coursework or bachelor’s degree in a related biological science)
- Chemistry or Biology (high school or college coursework)
- English and Reading (testing, college coursework or bachelor's degree)
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
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Petition
Spring 2026
This program uses a petition process to manage program admission due to capacity limitations and program demand. This means there are typically more applicants than there are open seats in the program. A petition process helps us manage applications in a way that is fair and transparent.
This program has petition requirements that must be completed before beginning core classes. When you’ve completed all petition requirements, you will complete the petition process.
Pre-program students can run their Degree Progress Report to confirm which petition requirements are satisfied/not satisfied and view specific ways to satisfy requirements.
Prerequisites:
- Algebra (testing, college coursework or bachelor’s degree in a related biological science)
- Chemistry or Biology (high school or college coursework)
- English and Reading (testing, college coursework or bachelor's degree)
Petitioning
Review the Petition Process for details on how and when to petition.
- Spring - Petition window opens on September 1
After Petitioning
If awarded a seat, you will receive instructions regarding the required items below. If you do not complete the required items, it may result in losing your seat and starting the application process from the beginning.
- Health Screening Form
- Enrollment in core program courses. Students who are awarded a seat are expected to start the core program courses for the awarded term. Students who choose not to begin the core program courses or are not able to begin core program courses may be discontinued from pre-program status.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
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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
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 44 37 39 Number of Surveys Sent 44 37 39 Number of Surveys Returned 30 27 25 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 24 16 15 Percent Available for Employment 80.0% 59.3% 60.0% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 20.0% 37.0% 40.0% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 24 15 15 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 93.8% 100.0% Employed in Related Occupation 22 13 15 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 91.7% 86.7% 100.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 2 2 0 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 8.3% 13.3% 0.0% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 0 1 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 6.3% 0.0% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.7 3.7 3.7 Number of Satisfaction Responses 26 23 20 Very Satisfied (4) 17 17 14 Percent Very Satisfied 65.4% 73.9% 70.0% Satisfied (3) 9 6 6 Percent Satisfied 34.6% 26.1% 30.0% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 30 26 25 Preparation for Getting a Job Percent Preparation for Getting a Job Career Change Percent Career Change Improvement of Existing Skills Percent Improvement of Existing Skills Preparation for Further Education Percent Preparation for Further Education Personal Interest Percent Personal Interest Other Percent Other 0.0% 3.8% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2022 2023 2024 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 24 15 15 Before Enrollment 2 1 3 Percent Before Enrollment 8.3% 6.7% 20.0% While Attending the College 8 4 3 Percent While Attending the College 33.3% 26.7% 20.0% After Training at the College 14 10 9 Percent After Training at the College 58.3% 66.7% 60.0% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 24 16 15 In College District 23 12 13 Percent In College District 95.8% 75.0% 86.7% In Wisconsin, Not in District 1 2 2 Percent of In Wisconsin 4.2% 12.5% 13.3% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 2 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 14 11 10 Average Monthly Wage $3,185 $3,167 $3,717 Average Hourly Wage $18.52 $18.41 $21.61 Average Work Hours per Week 39.8 41.3 39.9 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 7 1 4 Average Hourly Wage $18.41 $18.00 $17.88 Average Work Hours per Week 26.0 32.0 21.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions D & S Dental Laboratory Dental Laboratory Technician Waunakee Dental Health Associates Dental Assistant Eagleview Dental Dental Assistant Prairie du Sac First Choice Dental Dental Assistant Forward Dental Group Dental Assistant Sun Prairie Great Day Dental Dental Assistant Ho-Chunk Nation House of Wellness Medical Services Coordinator Baraboo Larson Orthodontics Orthodontic Assistant Eau Claire Madison Family Dental Associates Dental Assistant Midwest Dental Dental Assistant More Smiles Wisconsin Dental Assistant Waterford Children's Dentistry Dental Assistant Waterford Westfield Family Dental Dental Assistant Westfield * - 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
