Two women in scrubs teaching a group of four children in a dental lab; one woman holds a dental model and toothbrush while the other holds an educational binder.

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Dental Assisting & Hygiene

Dental assistants and hygienists are indispensable members of the dental team. Both are well-paid, rewarding careers that are in high demand.

About Our Department

Dental Assisting
This 10-month, limited-enrollment program prepares students for a career as a dental assistant. Most accepted students have completed one year of college. The program integrates off-campus clinical experiences in a variety of dental offices with a core of biological and on-site laboratory and clinical courses. Most graduates are employed in general or specialty dental practices. The roles of a dental assistant vary, depending on the state regulations, and may include assisting the dentist during a variety of procedures, exposing radiographs, taking impressions of patient’s teeth, and applying preventive agents such as fluoride or pit and fissure sealants.

Dental Hygiene
This limited-enrollment program prepares students for a career as a dental hygienist. It is two years in length and requires as least one year of prerequisite courses. The program blends clinical dental hygiene experiences with a core of biological, behavioral and social sciences. Graduates are typically employed in general dental practices. The roles of the dental hygienist vary depending on the state board regulations and may include patient screening procedures, exposing radiographs, removing hard and soft deposits from the teeth, and providing patient education regarding oral hygiene, nutrition and risk factors that influence oral disease.

The NDSCS Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs are fully accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, 401 North Michigan Ave. Suite 3300, Chicago, Illinois 60611-4250. 800-232-6108

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A dental technician in a mask and protective gown assists a young boy seated in a dental chair during an imaging procedure, both focused on the process. — Explore Dental Programs at NDSCS

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Programs

Dental hygienist wearing magnifying loupes and protective gear examines a female patient’s teeth while an X-ray is displayed on the monitor in the background.

Associate of Applied Science

Dental Hygiene

The Dental Hygiene program consists of classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences emphasizing skill development, self-assessment and professionalism offered over five continuous semesters.

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Two dental technicians in masks and protective gowns work on a young child wearing orange sunglasses, who is reclined in a dental chair during a procedure.

Associate of Applied Science