51 Credits DIP3327, Academic Catalog 2025-2026
Resources
The Dental Assisting curriculum is designed to provide opportunities for the learner to develop a sound fundamental background for the practice of dental assisting. The specialized knowledge in the field of dental assisting prepares the learner and graduate to contribute to the world of dentistry for today's changing environment. This program identifies necessary competencies and integrates the curricula to support these outcomes to produce a dental assistant who is a vital member of the dental health team. The learner will become grounded and prepared to function as a Chairside and Expanded Functions clinician, a Business/Office Dental Assistant and a Laboratory Dental Assistant. Graduates of the program are capable of practicing in a general dental practice or in a dental specialty. Progression through the program is sequential. Due to the limited amount of space in the clinical area, learners will be admitted on space available basis. Successful completion of all courses in the dental assisting program require passing with a C/2.0 GPA or above.
The program is designed to meet the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation Standard for Dental Assisting with the clinical skills and competencies as designated by the State Dental Practice Act of Minnesota State Board of Dentistry. A unique aspect of the South Central College's Dental Assisting program is its location on the Minnesota State University, Mankato campus in a newly refurbished 12-unit dental clinic, with restorative facilities, shared by MSU's Dental Hygiene program.
Campus: North Mankato
Program Start Semester: Fall
Base estimate for 51 credit program
Tuition is paid on a semester by semester basis and will vary depending on the courses and total credits you take.
Tuition and Fees: $10,937
Tools and Equipment: $ n/a
Total Estimated Cost: $10,937 *
Compare the costs and you'll see that tuition at South Central College is much more affordable than other institutions.
*Based on 2025-2026 tuition and fees rates. Does not include extra expenses for online delivery, course fees, or course differential. Books, transportation, and living expenses also not included.
The course requirements listed below are specific to the current school year (noted above). If you need to view the program from previous years view our Catalog Archive.
Required Technical Courses (16 Courses)
Complete all of the following courses:
DA1813 Preclinical Dental Assisting (2 credits)
Pre-Clinical Dental Assisting is designed to provide fundamental knowledge of microbiology and infection control measures. Emphasis will be placed on personal protection, risk management, sterilization, chemical disinfection, environment surface and equipment aseptic techniques. The student will develop the skills necessary to apply the techniques gained within the course to all clinical and laboratory courses. Standard precautions will be utilized throughout the entire curriculum, within all courses which apply. (Prerequisites: COMM 140; PHIL 100 or PHIL 150; HLTH 1950; HLTH 1952; Co-requisite: DA 1814)
DA1814 Chairside Dental Assisting I (4 credits)
Chairside Dental Assisting I provides laboratory and clinical knowledge and skills required for dental assisting clinical techniques and methods. Areas of emphasis are: clinical asepsis, safety, ergonomics, patient management and preparation, dental instruments and nomenclature, chairside assisting techniques, 4-6 handed dentistry, and treatment planning. (Prerequisites: COMM 140; PHIL 100 or PHIL 150; HLTH 1950; HLTH 1952; DA 1820; Co-requisite: DA 1813)
DA1815 Dental Materials (3 credits)
This course is designed to give students fundamental knowledge in dental materials, their purpose, composition, manipulation, properties, purposes, and storage as utilized in the dental practice and laboratory setting. The course includes both didactic and laboratory instruction for various material types including gypsum, impression materials, waxes, cements, and restorative materials. Safety in handling materials will be emphasized in laboratory. (Prerequisite: DA 1820)
DA1816 Radiology I (3 credits)
Radiology I is designed to provide knowledge and skills in radiation history, intra-oral and extra-oral radiographic techniques, image principles and techniques, radiographic equipment and image receptors, radiographic infection control, radiation exposure guidelines, patient and operator protection/safety, patient relations, education, and legal issues, anatomical landmarks and pathology, radiographic film mounting and viewing, radiographic interpretation, and record keeping. (Prerequisites: DA 1820 and DA 1850)
DA1820 Dental Science I (3 credits)
Dental Science is designed to provide the student with the fundamental, anatomical,and physiological structures of the human body. All body systems will be covered including embryology and histology. The focus of the course is to help students with no prior preparation in science to have a fundamental understanding of the structure and function of the human body with emphasis on the head and neck. The student will develop the necessary background knowledge to be a successful chairside and clinical assistant. (Prerequisites: Admitted to Dental Assisting program; AND have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher AND completion of either ENGL 0090 or EAP 0095 or ENGL 100 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher.)
DA1823 Dental Science II (2 credits)
This course is designed to provide basic knowledge in oral pathology and pharmacology. Emphasis will be placed on methods of application, classifications and usage of knowledge in clinical settings. (Prerequisites: DA 1820)
DA1825 Dental Assisting Expanded Functions (5 credits)
Dental Assisting Expanded Functions is designed to train chairside dental assistants in the Expanded Functions for an advanced level of skills and knowledge permitted to provide intra-oral patient care procedures beyond traditional dental assisting duties. Procedures emphasized will be those legally allowed by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry for Licensed Dental Assistants. (Prerequisites: DA 1814, 1815)
DA1826 Radiology II (3 credits)
This course is a continuation of Radiology I. This in-depth course will cover the history of radiation, radiation physics, and differing radiation characteristics. The course will also include patient exposures, patient management and quality assurance. Students will also learn film techniques and processing. (Prerequisities: DA 1816)
DA1827 Dental Nutrition (1 credits)
This course is designed to provide basic background knowledge in nutrition as it pertains to dental health and preventative dental philosophies. Emphasis will be placed on preventative dentistry and nutrition benefits of dental health. The focus of this course is to provide the student with the knowledge to define nutrition, describe key nutrients, use dietary guidelines, food labeling, food pyramids, define dental diets. Emphasis will be placed on dental health and nutritional guidelines. (Prerequisite: Admitted to Dental Assisting program)
DA1828 Nitrous Oxide Sedation (1 credits)
Nitrous Oxide Sedation is designed to provide fundamental knowledge, elements, purposes, and uses of Nitrous Oxide sedation for the Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant. (Prerequisites: DA 1814, HLTH 1950, HLTH 1952, CPR must be valid throughout the course.)
DA1845 Clinical Affiliations (8 credits)
This course is designed to give the dental assistant student practical experience in dental practices. The extra-mural experiences will be completed in local dental offers including specialty areas as available. Clinical duties and expanded functions covering all aspects of the dental practice will be utilized. (Prerequisites: Successful completion of all previous dental assisting courses. Valid Healthcare Provider CPR)
DA1850 Dental Business Technologies (3 credits)
The course is designed to introduce students to dental software and implement software skills in clinical courses. This course will also expose students to business management aspects including administrative, financial and records management. Basic computers skills are needed for successful completion of course (Prerequisites: Admission to the Dental Assisting program)
DA1855 Ethics and Jurisprudence (1 credits)
This course will focus on the rules and regulations found in the Minnesota Dental Practice Act. An understanding of ethical and legal implications for dental practitioners will prepare students to take the Minnesota Jurisprudence exam for dental practitioners. (Prerequisites: DA 1825 and DA 1860)
DA1860 Expanded Functions II (4 credits)
Expanded Functions II is designed to provide knowledge of general and specialty dentistry with associated chairside dental assisting laboratory and clinical skills. Emphasis will be placed on general and specialty dental procedures, including expanded dental procedures legally allowed by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry for Licensed Dental Assistants. (Prerequisite: DA 1814, DA 1815).
HLTH1950 CPR (1 credits)
This course covers the skills of infant, child and adult single and two rescue CPR as well as relief of foreign body airway obstruction procedures for infant, child and adult. Automated external defibrillators, bag-valve-masks and pocket masks are also used. Signs and symptoms of vascular disease are discussed. This meets the current criteria of the American Heart Association guidelines. (Prerequisites: None)
HLTH1952 First Aid (1 credits)
This course includes emergency care training for initial treatment of illness and injury. Patient assessment, bleeding control, shock management, soft tissue injury, orthopedic injury, diabetic problems, seizures, poisons, heat exposure and cold exposure are some of the topics covered in the course. This course is appropriate for anyone who may need to render immediate care. The topics covered do meet the course requirements for OSHA and MSHA first aid training.
Required General Education (2 Courses)
Courses must be selected in consultation with advisor/faculty.
PHIL100 Ethics in Society (3 credits)
This course studies the foundations for moral beliefs and values and the part they play in practical ethical judgments. After providing a general introduction to moral concepts and theories, the course covers a wide range of social problems through an analysis of power, privilege, and justice. The class is organized by overarching themes of race, social class, gender, and global concerns and addresses issues involving criminal justice, economic inequality, gender differences, and sexuality. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) (MNTC Goal Area 7a - Human Diversity, MNTC Goal Area 7b - Race/Power/Justice, MNTC Goal Area 9 - Ethical/Civic Resp)
OR
PHIL150 Medical Ethics (3 credits)
This course examines the moral problems confronting medical providers and surveys the broader field of bioethics. After providing a general introduction to ethical concepts and theories, it focuses on specific issues relating to the American health care system, including access to care, inequality, obesity, reproductive rights, end-of-life care, disability, organ transplantation, and alternative medicine. Emphasis is placed on practical application of moral principles and critical analysis of case studies. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) (MNTC Goal Areas 6-Humanities/Fine Arts and 9 - Ethical/Civic Responsibility)
COMM140 Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
In this class, participants will examine key components of interpersonal communication theory, identify the interpersonal communication skills necessary for healthy relationships, assess their own interpersonal communication effectiveness, and practice and hone interpersonal communication skills necessary for healthy home and work relationships. This course will also address relevant issues of social interaction, including how human diversity/culture (age, race, gender, etc.) affects our interpersonal communication. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) (MNTC 1: Communication)
PLEASE NOTE: All program plans are preliminary and curriculum may change without notice. Your catalog of record may have different requirements.
