Minnesota State Community & Technical College – Moorhead

Minnesota State Community & Technical College – Moorhead (M State) offers a comprehensive dental assisting program that prepares students for careers in the dental industry. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on training necessary to become successful dental assistants.

The Dental Assisting program at M State is a two-year program that includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. Students learn the basics of dental anatomy and physiology, dental terminology, and infection control. They also learn about chairside assisting, dental radiology, and dental materials.

The program also includes a clinical component, where students work in a dental office and gain practical experience in assisting dentists with procedures. Students learn how to take dental impressions, prepare patients for treatment, and assist with patient education.

In addition to the Dental Assisting program, M State also offers a Dental Hygiene program. The Dental Hygiene program is a two-year program that prepares students to become licensed dental hygienists. The program includes coursework in dental anatomy, radiology, pharmacology, and periodontology, as well as clinical experience working with patients.

Graduates of the Dental Hygiene program at M State are eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the Minnesota Board of Dentistry Examination. Once they pass these exams, they can apply for licensure as dental hygienists in Minnesota.

Both the Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs at M State are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This ensures that the programs meet the highest standards for education and training in the dental industry.

Overall, the dental assisting and dental hygiene programs at M State provide students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to succeed in the dental industry. Graduates of these programs are well-prepared for careers as dental assistants and dental hygienists, and they play an important role in helping to improve the oral health of their patients.