Program Description
In the Dental Assistant program, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to become an important member of a professional health team in a dental office or clinic. You may earn a Dental Assistant Diploma or an AAS Degree. A dental assistant performs many duties at chairside, including assisting the dentist during patient treatment. The assistant must also be skilled in related office and laboratory procedures, as well as the MN State Board of Dentistry, expanded functions.
Dental Assistant graduates are employed in many areas of dentistry, including general dentistry as well as dental specialties such as pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics and periodontics, and more.
Workforce services for eligible adults are available through this program authorized by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Licensure Exam Results
The 2024 pass rates for the DANB licensure exams are:
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- General Chairside Assisting (GC) Exam: 76%
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- Radiation Health & Safety: 100%
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- Infection Control (ICE) Exam: 84%
Prerequisites
First semester:
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- Completed the EMSV1020 CPR/First Aid course or current CPR. CPR must be BLS from either the American Heart Association or American Red Cross and contain a hands-on component.
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- COMM1250 Interpersonal Communication (C or better grade) or COMM1260 Small Group Communication (C or better grade)
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- DNTL1121 Dental Science (C or better grade)
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- ENGL1100 Writing and Research or ENGL1250 Short Form Composition and Reporting (C or better grade)
Important information while in the program:
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- Current certification of Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is mandatory throughout the entire program, including externships. Proof of current CPR certification is also required in order to take the national certification examination.
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- Minnesota law requires a background study for any persons who provide services that involve direct contact with children, patients, and residents at a health or child care facility licensed by the State of Minnesota. Contact the Department of Human Services (651-431-2000) with questions.
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- A written notification is required from a physician or obstetrician for a pregnant student to continue enrollment in Radiology, expanded functions, and clinical externships.
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- Information is available on the Hennepin Tech website and from enrollment advisors, Hennepin Tech counselors, and dental assistant program faculty which state the risks of entering this profession in regard to bloodborne pathogens and disease transmission, including needlesticks.
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- The final term of the program includes unpaid externships at two different clinics around the Twin Cities. More information will be shared the first day of class once accepted into the program.
Wages/Outlook/Advancement
Wage and Job Outlook information for this program are available at Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED). Dental Assistants are employed in private and group practices, government public health clinics, dental sales, insurance companies, educational facilities, and the armed forces.
Tools/Other Expenses
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- Books – $450
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- Program Kit (Typondonts) – $950
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- Scrub Uniforms, Lab Coat, White Shoes – $125
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- Student Name Tag – $16
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- MN Jurisprudence Exam – $60
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- Board of Dentistry Application – $125
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- Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) – $450
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- Approximate Total for Additional Program Costs – $2100
The Dental Assistant program at Hennepin Technical College is approved by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.
The program in Dental Assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of Approval without Reporting Requirements. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312-440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678.
Hennepin Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Institution of Higher Education, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, 1-800-621-7440.
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- American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA)*
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- Minnesota Dental Assistants Association(MDAA)*
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- Dental Assistant National Board (DANB)
*Students have the opportunity for membership in the ADAA and MDAA as student members.
All faculty are members of the American Dental Assistants Association, MN Dental Assistants Association, MN Educators of Dental Assistants (MEDA) and are certified by the Dental Assistant National Board (DANB).
Industry Partners
The purpose of the Dental Assistant Advisory Committee is to promote a partnership between career and technical education, business labor and the communities they serve. Advisory committee members provide input on program structure, curriculum, technology, and student preparation.
Equipment & Supplies Donation: Contact the Hennepin Tech Foundation at Foundation@HennepinTech.edu.
Hennepin Technical College builds cooperative relationships and partnerships with other educational institutions, business, and industry to help position Hennepin Tech graduates to compete in a global marketplace. These business and industry connections help make Hennepin Tech one of the leaders in education for employment.
Advisory Committee Affiliations:
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- Children’s Dental Services
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- Heartland / Metro Dental Care
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- Park Dental
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- Patterson Dental
USDE Professional Licensure Disclosure
The Hennepin Tech Dental Assistant curriculum is designed to help prepare students to sit for the professional licensure exam for Minnesota. At this time, Hennepin Tech is unable to make a determination if the Dental Assistant program meets the licensing requirement for any state or US protectorate besides Minnesota. You will want to contact the licensing board in which state you intend to pursue licensure for their requirements, below we provide a link to a list of each states licensing board. If you have further questions about licensure for Dental Assistants please feel free to reach out to the Dental Assistant Program Director.
For more information on state licensing boards and their contact information for Dental Assistants please visit the Dental Assisting National Board website.
Last reviewed 02/23/2026
You will apply to the Dental Assistant program in your DNTL 1121 Dental Science class.
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- No paper applications will be accepted.
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- Please email the Student Success Advisor with any questions.
