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This program will be modified for the 2025-2026 academic year. For the revised required courses, please refer to the 2025-26 required courses document in the drop-down menu above. The required courses, including course descriptions, will be updated below on June 1, 2025 or will be available to view in the 2025-2026 catalog in Spring 2025.
Program Courses
10508101
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UGRD
| 1
CRPrepares dental auxiliary students to respond proactively to dental emergencies, control infection, prevent disease, adhere to OSHA Standards, and safely manage hazardous materials. Students also take patient vital signs and collect patient medical/dental histories. This course is a WTCS aligned course required in both the Dental Hygienist and Dental Assisting programs. PREREQUISITE: Admission to the Dental Assistant or Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) Program.
10508103
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UGRD
| 2
CRPrepares dental auxiliary students to operate radiographic equipment and expose bitewing, periapical, extra oral, and occlusal images. Emphasis is placed on protection against x-ray hazards. Students also produce, mount, and evaluate dental images for diagnostic value. This course also provides the background in radiographic theory required for students to make informed decisions and adjustments. Corequisites: 10508101 Dental Health Safety, 10508304 Dental and General Anatomy, 10508113 Dental Materials, 31508306 Dental Assistant Clinical, and 31508302 Dental Chairside.
10508113
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UGRD
| 2
CRPrepares dental auxiliary students to handle and prepare dental materials such as liners, bases, cements, amalgam, resin restorative materials, gypsum products, and impression materials. They also learn to take alginate impressions on manikins and clean removable appliances. This course is aligned to serve students in the Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant programs. COREQUISITES: 10508101 Dental Health Safety, 31508302 Dental Chairside, 10508304 Dental and General Anatomy 10508103 Dental Radiography and 31508306 Dental Assistant Clinical.
10508120
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UGRD
| 2
CRPrepares dental auxiliary students to manage telephones, appointments, recall systems, and inventory. Students also develop the skills need to process accounts receivable and payable, collections, and third-party reimbursements. Students use dental software programs. PREREQUISITES: 10508101 Dental Health Safety, 10508103 Dental Radiography, 10508113 Dental Materials, 10508304 Dental and General Anatomy, 31508302 Dental Chairside, 31508306 Dental Assistant Clinical, 31508307 Dental Assistant Professional (all first semester classes) COREQUISITES: 31508308 Dental Chairside Advanced, 31508309 Dental Laboratory Procedures, 31508310 Dental Radiography – Advanced, and 31508311 Dental Assistant Clinical – Adv
10508304
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UGRD
| 2
CRPrepares dental assistant students to apply fundamentals of general and dental anatomy to informed decision-making and to professional communication with colleagues and patients. PREREQUISITE: Acceptance into the Dental Assistant or Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) Program AND COREQUISITE 10508101 Dental Health Safety
31508302
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UGRD
| 5
CRPrepares dental assistant students to chart oral cavity structures, dental pathology, and restorations and to assist a dentist with basic dental procedures including examinations, pain control, amalgam restoration, and cosmetic restoration. Students will also develop the ability to educate patients about preventive dentistry, brushing and flossing techniques, and dental procedures, using lay terminology. Throughout the course, students will apply decoding strategies to the correct use and interpretation of dental terminology. COREQUISITES: 10508101 Dental Health Safety, 10508304 Dental and General Anatomy, 10508113 Dental Materials, and 10508103 Dental Radiography and 31508306 Dental Assistant Clinical.
31508306
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UGRD
| 3
CRStudents apply skills developed in Dental and General Anatomy, Dental Health Safety, Dental Chairside, Dental Materials, Dental Radiography, and Professionalism in a clinical setting with patients. Emphasizes integration of core abilities and basic occupational skills. BLS Basic Life Support certification is a prerequisite; students will be required to show proof of certification before beginning the course. COREQUISITES: 10508101 Dental Health Safety, 10508304 Dental and General Anatomy, 31508302 Dental Chairside, 10508113 Dental Materials, 10508103 Dental Radiography and 31508307 Dental Assistant Professional.
31508307
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UGRD
| 1
CRPrepares dental assistant students for entering the workforce. Students develop professional appearance and prepare a resume, cover letter, and professional development plan. Students learn to work within ethical guidelines and legal frameworks. PREREQUISITE: Acceptance into the Dental Assistant program.
31508308
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UGRD
| 5
CRPrepares dental assistant students to adapt chairside skills to assisting with dental specialties as they are performed in general practice. Focuses on pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics. Students will also develop the ability to assist with sealants, perform coronal polishing, and apply topical fluoride and topical anesthetics. Prerequisites: All first year courses, 10508101 Dental Health Safety, 10508103 Dental Radiography, 10508113 Dental Materials, 10508304 Dental and General Anatomy, 31508302 Dental Chairside, 31508306 Dental Assistant Clinical, 31508307 Dental Assistant Professional. Corequisites: 10508120 Dental Office Management, 31508309 Dental Laboratory Procedures, 31508310 Dental Radiography – Advanced, and 31508311 Dental Assistant Clinical - Adv
31508309
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UGRD
| 4
CRPrepares Dental Assistant students to produce alginate impressions and fabricate diagnostic models, oral appliances, temporary restorations, and custom trays. Students also polish oral appliances. Prerequisites: 10508101 Dental Health Safety, 10508103 Dental Radiography, 10508113 Dental Materials, 10508304 Dental and General Anatomy, 31508302 Dental Chairside, 31508306 Dental Assistant Clinical, 31508307 Dental Assistant Professional. Corequisites: 10508120 Dental Office Management, 31508308 Dental Chairside Advanced, 31508310 Dental Radiography - Advanced, and 31508311 Dental Assistant Clinical - Adv
31508310
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UGRD
| 1
CRBuilds on principles and skills developed in Dental Radiography. Dental Assisting students produce full mouth series, extra-oral and specialized images on adult and child patients. Emphasis is placed on protection against radiation exposure risks. Students will also produce, mount, and evaluate images of diagnostic quality. In addition, they will use images to explain dental health and treatment plans to patients. Prerequisites: 10508101 Dental Health Safety, 10508103 Dental Radiography, 10508113 Dental Materials, 10508304 Dental and General Anatomy, 31508302 Dental Chairside, 31508306 Dental Assistant Clinical, 31508307 Dental Assistant Professional. Corequisites: 10508120 Dental Office Management, 31508308 Dental Chairside Advanced, 31508309 Dental Laboratory Procedures, and 31508311 Dental Assistant Clinical – Adv
31508311
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UGRD
| 2
CRDental Assisting students apply skills developed in Dental Chairside - Advanced, Dental Lab Procedures, Dental Radiography - Advanced, and Dental Office Procedures in a clinical setting with patients. Emphasizes integration of core abilities and basic and advanced occupational skills. Prerequisites: 10508101 Dental Health Safety, 10508103 Dental Radiography, 10508113 Dental Materials, 10508304 Dental and General Anatomy, 31508302 Dental Chairside, 31508306 Dental Assistant Clinical, 31508307 Dental Assistant Professional. Corequisites: 10508120 Dental Office Management, 31508308 Dental Chairside Advanced, 31508309 Dental Laboratory Procedures, 31508310 Dental Radiography Advanced.
General Education Courses
10801196
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UGRD
| 3
CRFocuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication. This course focuses on writing-intensive practices and meets expectations of High Impact Practice courses. NOTE: This course is recognized for general education transfer as part of the University of Wisconsin (UW) System/Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Universal Credit Transfer Agreement (UCTA).
Total Credits: 33
Get the Northwood Tech experience
Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.
Download the Catalog
Learn more about programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
