Dental Assisting

Are you ready for an exciting new career in the dental field? Dental assistants play an important role in managing patient care and supporting dentists. The School of Dental Assisting at Midwest Technical Institute (MTI) offers accredited dental assisting programs to provide you the skills and experience you need to start a new career in less than a year!

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What Makes MTI's Dental Assisting Program Different

Gear

Hands-On Focused

Labs designed to simulate real dental work environments

Accelerated Training

Complete your dental assistant training in just 9 months

Experienced Instructors

Experienced Instructors

All dental assisting instructors have real-world experience

Evening Classes

Daytime Classes Available

Flexible class times that work for your busy schedule

Employment Preparation

Employment Preparation

No general education courses required, students will learn the skills required for entry-level employment

Career Placement

Career Placement

Career counseling & placement assistance is available to all qualified graduates

The School of 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. At MTI’s dental assistant training schools, you’ll earn the skills and experience necessary for an entry-level dental assistant position. MTI’s dental assistant classes are taught by instructors with real-world experience in the dental field. You’ll get hands-on training in both a classroom and lab setting. The Dental Assisting Program concludes with an externship that gives you real working experience in the dental industry. Externship can help you learn what type of dental assistant position you may want to pursue after graduation. MTI’s accredited dental assistant programs help you develop the skills you need to start a new career!

HANDS-ON DENTAL ASSISTANT CLASSES

Radiographs & Impressions | Equipment Sterilization | Lab Work | X-Ray Procedures | Patient Education

MTI’s Dental Assisting Program in Illinois and Missouri is led by instructors with real-world experience. Through a combination of classroom and hands-on instruction, you’ll be trained in both clinical & administrative duties, including:

  • Infection Control
  • Restorative Dentistry & Dental Charting
  • Prosthodontics & Dental Office Lab
  • Dental Radiology & Office Administration
  • Dental Specialties & Preventative Dentistry
  • Employment Preparation & Review and Externship

Dental Assistant Certification

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).

Ready to Learn More?

Ready to learn more about MTI’s hands-on training programs? Give us a call or fill out the form to get more information.

Financial Assistance

Financial Aid Team

MTI’s Financial Aid Team provides personalized support to students applying for federal financial aid and help with understanding all the funding options, including scholarship opportunities.


Scholarship Opportunities

MTI Graduates

MTI is here to help you attain the funding you need to take the next step in your education. MTI’s Financial Aid Team can help match you with scholarship opportunities you may qualify for.


Start a Career in Dental Assisting

Dental assistants perform a combination of both clinical and clerical duties, ranging from assisting dentists and dental hygienists, to working with patients and assisting with lab and x-ray procedures, and patient assessments. Other common dental assistant duties can include:

  • Seating and greeting the patient
  • Taking radiographs & impressions
  • Sterilization
  • Suctioning, passing instruments
  • Lab work
  • Basic 4-handed dentistry
  • Educating the patient 

Dental assistant training at MTI prepares you to perform these clinical and clerical tasks through hands-on dental assistant training. The Dental Assisting Program also prepares you for dental assistant certification.At MTI, you get the hands-on training you need to work in a dentist’s office as a clinical dental assistant, dental laboratory assistant, and dental office administrative assistant. Hospitals and military bases may also provide career opportunities for you, or you may choose to specialize by working with geriatric or pediatric patients.

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 8% from 2023 to 2033, projecting an average of about 56,900 openings for dental assistants each year over the decade.

Ready to Learn More?

Ready to learn more about MTI’s hands-on training programs? Give us a call or fill out the form to get more information.

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Dental Assisting Program Overview

Dental assistant schooling is your first step toward a rewarding career in the dental field. Here’s what you can expect when you attend Midwest Technical Institute (MTI) for your dental assisting education:

Length:
35 weeks (9 months)
When:
Daytime classes available
Hours:
765 clock hours (includes 225 externship hours) / 135 outside additional clock hours
Completion:
Diploma
Credits:
26.5 semester credits

Quick Facts: Dental Assisting Program

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. Dental assistants handle a mix of administrative and clinical duties, so the scope of their responsibilities is wide-ranging, depending on where they work. MTI’s hands-on dental assistant training teaches you clinical and administrative skills so you can start a new career in the dental field.

To learn more, check out: What Does a Dental Assistant Do?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2023, the median annual wage for dental assistants was $46,540. Recent BLS data illustrates salaries are highest among dental assistants working in government positions, followed closely those working in dental or physician offices. Annual wages may depend on key factors such as your location and patient populations.

Dental assistants typically work in a dental facility, and can take on the role of a clinical dental assistant, dental laboratory assistant, or even dental office administrative assistant. MTI’s Dental Assisting Program will give you the skills required to perform in a clinical, laboratory or office setting.

To learn more, check out: What Does a Dental Assistant Do?

The dental assistant 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 8% from 2023 to 2033.

For more information on MTI program costs, please contact Financial Aid or visit Tuition & Cost.

Check out the Dental Assisting FAQ for the answers to frequently asked questions about dental assistants!

Enrollment & Outcomes

Enrollment and outcome information for all Illinois-based campuses and the ACCSC annual reports for each program can be found in Adobe PDF format. Please note, all programs are not offered at all campuses. For annual details, please visit our dental assisting enrollment and outcome page.

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Accreditations

ACCSC Logo

For more information about our accreditations and approvals, please visit: https://www.midwesttech.edu/about-us/accreditation/

Midwest Technical Institute 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

Midwest Technical Institute is approved to operate by the Missouri Department of Higher Education.