DENTAL ASSISTING
Dental Assisting Program Overview
The Dental Assisting Program at Midwest Technical Institute provides entry-level theory and hands-on training in basic and routine clinical and office tasks. This program is led by instructors with real-world experience, who will equip the dental assistant students with the skills required to perform in a clinical, laboratory or office setting.
The dental assistant will be able to assist in laboratory procedures, x-ray procedures, CPR and patient assessments. He/she will also be able to perform sterilization and infection control techniques, clinical procedures and equipment maintenance. In some venues, the dental assistant is expected to effectively handle administrative office procedures, including electronic record keeping, keyboarding, billing, coding, insurance claims and scheduling.
MTI’s dental assistant training provides students a thorough understanding of dental-related ethics and other business principles that impact the practitioner’s relationship with the patient. For dental assistant certification, students are required to take two of the three DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) certification exams: RHS (Radiology Health & Safety) and ICE (Infection Control Exam).
*Not all programs and courses are available at all campuses.
- Orientation and Introduction to Infection Control
- Restorative Dentistry & Dental Charting
- Prosthodontics & Dental Office Lab
- Dental Radiology & Office Administration
- Dental Specialties & Preventative Dentistry
- Employment Preparation & Review and Externship
*The first training module taken will be Orientation and Introduction to Infection Control and the last training module taken will be Employment Preparation & Review and Externship. All other modules can be taken in any order.
Which Schools Offer Dental Assisting Training?
MTI has dental assistant schools in Illinois and Missouri:
Dental Assisting FAQ
- A dental assistant works closely with a dentist, assisting in all dental procedures. The dental assistant enables the dentist to care for many more patients and to produce more dentistry than they could alone. Greeting the patient, taking radiographs and impressions, sterilizing instruments, suctioning, passing instruments, completing lab work, educating the patient and performing basic four-handed dentistry are just a few duties of the assistant.
- The median annual wage for dental assistants was $40,080 in May 2019. *www.bls.gov
- The dental assisting student will be trained to perform in an entry-level position, normally available in a dental facility, such as a clinical dental assistant, dental laboratory assistant or dental office administrative assistant. This program will equip the dental assistant with the skills required to perform in a clinical, laboratory or office setting.
- The dental profession continues to grow as a result of the population living longer and advancements in procedures, treatments, prevention and cosmetic/aesthetic dentistry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the job outlook for dental assistants will increase by 7% from 2019 to 2029. *www.bls.gov
- For more information on MTI program costs, please contact Financial Aid or visit Tuition & Cost.
Dental Assisting at Midwest Technical Institute
Dental assistants provide clinical and clerical support to dentists, and may choose to specialize in order to work with other dental professionals, like endodontists and orthodontists. Students will earn the skills and experience necessary for entry-level positions working alongside a dentist at Midwest Technical Institute (MTI). The Dental Assisting Program at MTI is taught by instructors with experience in the field. The program provides hands-on training with classroom and lab instruction, as well as an externship program that gives students in-the-field experience. The externship can help students learn what type of position they may want to pursue after graduation. Watch this two-minute video to see what it’s like to begin your career in dental assisting at Midwest Technical Institute.
Midwest Technical Institute offers a variety of financing options to qualifying students. Financial Aid Representatives are available at each of our campuses to assist you. Please contact your nearest MTI campus today to learn more.
Enrollment and outcome information for all Illinois-based campuses and the ACCSC annual reports for each program in Adobe PDF format. Please note, all programs are not offered at all campuses.
Dental Assisting Careers
The MTI Dental Assisting Program offers the training necessary for dental assistant graduates to enter the field of dental assisting at the entry level. Most graduates of dental assistant programs work in dentist’s office as clinical dental assistants, dental laboratory assistants, and dental office administrative assistants. Hospitals and military bases may also provide opportunities for dental assistants, and some graduates may choose to specialize by working with geriatric or pediatric patients.
Dental assisting is a growing field that requires both clinical and clerical skills. These skills range from assisting dentists and dental hygienists working with patients, lab and x-ray procedures, patient assessments, and maintenance of the equipment. Dental assistant training at MTI prepares students to perform these clinical and clerical tasks. The Dental Assisting Program also prepares students for dental assistant certification.
The dental field continues to grow as a result of the population living longer and advancements in procedures, treatments, prevention and cosmetic/aesthetic dentistry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the job outlook for dental assistants will increase by 7% from 2019 to 2029. The average growth rate for all occupations is 4%. *www.bls.gov
Accreditations
MTI is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools & Colleges (ACCSC).
MTI is approved by the United States Department of Education to participate in the Federal Financial Aid Program.
MTI is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education: 1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333, Springfield, IL 62701. For more info: www.ibhe.org