Trade Schools
If you want to find a rewarding job that is recession-proof, the dental assistant profession is worth exploring.
As a dental assistant, you will be responsible for:
- Ensuring that patients are comfortable in their chair
- Preparing patients and work areas for procedures
- Handing instruments to dentists
- Instructing patients in proper oral hygiene
- Keeping records of dental treatments
- Scheduling patient appointments
- And more
All these skills can be learned through a post-secondary program that typically can be completed in only a few months.
To help you choose the format and the program that best meets your learning style, budget, and career aspirations, on this page, we have compiled information about the best dental assistant training programs in South Dakota.
1Western Dakota Technical College
About the School
Western Dakota Technical College is the only technical college that serves the western South Dakota region.
The college provides personal, career-oriented education.
Courses Offered
The Dental Assisting program at Western Dakota Technical College leads to a diploma and prepares students to be competent members of the dental healthcare team.
The program equips students with the skills to become Certified Dental Assistants 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
- Applying preventive agents
- Placing pit and fissure sealants
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 800 Mickelson Dr. Rapid City, SD 57703
- Phone: (605) 718-2565
- Website: https://www.wdt.edu
2Southeast Technical College
About the School
Southeast Technical College offers more than 65 pathways in today’s most innovative fields.
The college offers career-focused programs developed in collaboration with area industry leaders.
Students are prepared with the skills they need to jump-start their careers in two years or less.
Courses Offered
The college provides a Dental Assisting diploma program that can be completed in one year.
The 44-credit program includes courses on topics such as:
- Medical Language
- Infection Control
- Dental Materials
- Dental Procedures & Techniques
- Dental Radiology
- Dental Materials
- Dental Practice Management
- Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen Sedation
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2320 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57107
- Phone: 605-367-7624
- Website: https://www.southeasttech.edu
3Lake Area Technical College
About the School
Lake Area Technical College offers 31 academic programs in high-demand fields.
Available are also 14 hybrid e-degrees- a unique blend of online and on-campus learning.
Courses Offered
Lake Area Technical College provides a Dental Assisting program that prepares students for tasks such as:
- Assisting general and specialty dentists during procedures
- Taking x-rays
- Administering nitrous oxide/oxygen to patients
- Polishing teeth
- Fabricating casts for dental procedures
- Preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment for the dentists’s use
- Performing office management tasks
- And more
The diploma option can be completed in just 11 months and gives students the optimal hands-on experience.
Students also have the option of pursuing a 20-month Associate of Applied Science degree.
Graduates are eligible to complete the Dental Assisting National Board and meet the requirements to be registered in radiology and expanded functions by the South Dakota Board of Dentistry.
Contact Information
- Address: 1201 Arrow Ave. Watertown, SD 57201
- Phone: 605-882-5284
- Website: https://www.lakeareatech.edu
4Dakota College at Bottineau
About the School
Dakota College at Bottineau offers a Dental Assisting program that prepares skilled members of the dental healthcare team.
The ten-month 45-credit certificate program includes lectures, supervised labs, and clinics, as well as more than 300 hours of clinical affiliation experiences in dental practices.
Students may also choose to complete a 64-credit certificate program that includes lectures, supervised labs, clinics, and more than 300 hours of clinical affiliation experiences in dental practices.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in the certificate program:
- Concepts of Anatomy & Physiology
- Dental Anatomy
- Dental Radiology
- Clinical Assisting
- Dental Practice Management
- Advanced Functions
- Dental Specialties
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 105 Simrall BLVD – Bottineau, ND 58318
- Phone: 701-228-2277
- Website: https://www.dakotacollege.edu
5University of North Dakota
About the School
The University of North Dakota offers an online Clinical Dental Assisting program.
This fully online course helps students gain the technical skills they need to join a dental office as a clinical dental assistant.
Students prepare, through interactive courses, for the Radiation Health and Safety and Infection Control components of the Certified Dental Assistant Exam.
The course has the following objectives:
- Preparing students for the Radiology and Infection Control portions of the Dental Assisting National Board.
- Sterilization and disinfection techniques and infection prevention
- Completing patient charting and taking vital signs
- And more
Courses Offered
The Clinical Dental Assisting curriculum includes the following topics:
- Overview of the Dental Profession
- Dental Health and Disease
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Basics of Dental Assisting
- Radiology
- Dental Materials
- Dental Office Management
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: O’Kelly Hall Room 300, 221 Centennial Dr. Stop 9021, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9021
- Phone: 701.777.0488
- Website: https://und.edu
6North Dakota State College of Science
About the School
North Dakota State College of Science offers a Dental Assisting & Hygiene program.
The program has the following degree options: an Associate in Applied Science degree and a Certificate.
Courses Offered
The Certificate program includes courses on:
- Office Practice and Management
- Oral Anatomy for the Dental Assistant
- Clinical Training
- Dental Materials for the Dental Assistant
- Biodental Science
- Introduction to Psychology
- Concepts of Anatomy and Physiology
- And more
The certificate requires 41 credits in total.
Available are the following degree options:
- Dental Assisting and Hygiene
- Dental Assisting- AAS Degree
- Dental Assisting Certificate
- Dental Hygiene
Contact Information
- Address: 800 6th St. N. Wahpeton, ND 58076
- Phone: 800-342-4325
- Website: https://www.ndscs.edu
7The University of South Dakota
About the School
The University of South Dakota has a Department of Dental Hygiene that prepares students for careers in oral health and oral disease prevention.
The program prepares students through hands-on clinical experience in a variety of settings.
To be eligible for the Dental Hygiene Program, students need to complete prerequisite courses, dental office experience, and other application materials.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes the following courses:
- Chemistry Survey
- Organic and Biochemistry Survey
- Basic Microbiology
- Human Anatomy and Integrated Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Dental Anatomy
- Dental Hygiene Practicum
- Oral Pathology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 414 E. Clark Street, Vermillion, SD 57069
- Phone: 877-269-6873
- Website: https://www.usd.edu
8Dakota County Technical College
About the School
Dental Assisting programs are also available online, at schools located in other states.
One such school is Dakota County Technical College.
The college offers a variety of degrees and programs available in day, evening, weekend, and online formats.
Short-term programs can be completed in as little as six weeks.
Courses Offered
The Dental Assistant program at Dakota County Technical College offers the following degree options:
- Dental Assistant- Associate in Applied Science Degree- a 60-credit program available online and on campus
- Dental Assistant- Diploma- a 40-credit program available online and on campus.
The Dental Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
Dental assisting students take classes such as:
- Dental Science
- Pre-Clinical Dental Assisting
- Dental Health
- Dental Materials
- Chairside Assisting
- Dental Practice Management
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1300 145th Street East, Rosemount, MN 55068
- Phone: 651-423-8000
- Website: https://www.dctc.edu
9Mid-Plains Community College
About the School
Mid-Plains Community College offers an 11-month program in dental assisting.
This program leads to a diploma but students also have the option of completing an Associate in Applied Science degree.
This program aims to prepare graduates to aid the dentist at the chair side during examinations and treatment of patients.
They also learn how to perform supportive laboratory and business office procedures.
Graduates meet all requirements for the practice of dental assisting.
Students become x-ray certified and coronal polishing certified in the state of Nebraska and are prepared to sit for the national certification exam offered by the Dental Assisting National Board exam.
Applicants need an official high school transcript or GED.
Courses Offered
The program has the following objectives:
- Perform tasks related to entry-level dental assisting employment
- Use effective communication skills
- Apply the theory of dental assisting to specific jobs
- Use mathematical data and reasoning skills in relation to dental assisting
- Be prepared to take external certification exams
- And more
Contact Information
- Address:1205 East Third St. McCook, NE 69001
- Phone: 308-345-8100
- Website: https://www.mpcc.edu
10Northwest Technical College
About the School
Northwest Technical College offers a Dental Assisting program that prepares students with the skills needed to enter the dental profession as a chair-side clinician.
Students learn the skills for assisting with a variety of clinical functions, laboratory tasks, and business office responsibilities.
Students prepare to perform procedures such as exposing radiographs, placing pit and fissure sealants, taking impressions, and managing patient records.
The Dental Assisting program at NTC is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
The following credential paths are available:
- Diploma- Dental Assisting- a 45-credit program
- Associate in Applied Science- Dental Assisting
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- First Aid/CPR
- Infection Control
- Biomaterials
- Biodental Science
- Dental Anatomy
- Clinical Assisting
- Dental Practice Management
- Clinical Affiliation
- And more
Contact Information
- Address:905 Grant Avenue SE, Bemidji, MN 56601-4907
- Phone: (218) 333-6600
- Website: https://www.ntcmn.edu
Regional Salary in South Dakota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | 290 | $47,090 | $22.64 | $59,800 | $37,690 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 390 | $49,460 | $23.78 | $57,680 | $39,880 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best dental assistant training programs in the state of South Dakota, the next step is to continue the research and decide if this profession is the right fit for you and choose the program that will take you there.
Take your time and gather information about all the factors that are relevant to you.
