Dental Assistant Program

Dental Assistant Course Information: 

Midwest DA Course Catalog 26-27

Midwest Dental Assistants School provides both lecture and clinical training modules. The program begins with 15 weeks of lecture-based instruction focused on essential skills, techniques, and dental office procedures. This foundational training is designed to meet state clinical requirements (which may vary by state).

During and after the lecture module, students have up to 18 months to complete a flexible clinical externship, gaining real-world experience and further developing a broad range of practical skills.

After successful completion of both lecture and clinical modules, our students can perform comfortably in a dental work environment. Lectures are based on the most recent Modern Dental Assisting Package provided with the course. Students are eligible to begin their clinical module soon after being introduced to Anatomy, Infection Control, and CPR/BLS training.

Clinical externship placement is designed to fit into the student’s schedule and to match their determination. As such, the hands-on portion of the program can be arranged around the student’s schedule during normal operating hours of participating clinics. The students work one-on-one with trained Dental Assistants and licensed Dentists while under the instruction of the Midwest Dental Assistants School Faculty.

Program Objective:

Upon completion of the course, all students will be able to perform infection control techniques, chairside assisting skills, the ability to take impressions, x-rays, and give oral care instructions.

Occupational Objective:

Graduates will have acquired the skills and experience to obtain an entry-level position in the field of dental assisting. Prospective students are required to have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, and be at least 18 years old.

There are 3 quizzes, a final written, and instrument exam. A student must receive a minimum of 70% on all final exams to pass. The clinical modules are graded based the ability to complete tasks while at the externship sites. A student works one-on-one with a dental assistant, office manager, and/or dentist. The student and trainer(s) work together until the trainer(s) are confident the student is proficient in needed skills as outlined in the competency packets.

Classes are not held on the following holidays:

• New Year’s Eve
• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Eve
• Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• When an unexpected closure occurs due to extraordinary conditions such as inclement weather, students will be notified as soon as possible by phone or text.