An individual interested in becoming a dental assistant in Wisconsin can complete training programs at schools such as Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville, or Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton. Milwaukee Area Technical College in Milwaukee also offers a program for aspiring dental assistants. These programs lead to a technical diploma and teach students how to perform both clinical and office duties. The programs last anywhere from about five months to 11 months and might require students to complete an admissions assessment before enrolling. Some programs also require students to complete a criminal background check and recommend that students get a Hepatitis B vaccine. The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association accredits Wisconsin training programs in this field.
Classes in a Wisconsin dental assistant training program cover topics such as dental radiography, dental/general anatomy, infection control and medical emergencies. A student learns how to properly select instruments for various procedures, to prepare dental materials, to take impressions of patients’ teeth and to take vital signs such as blood pressure and respiration rate. He also learns how to communicate with patients to schedule dental appointments and to perform bookkeeping responsibilities. In addition, he practices providing oral health instruction to patients and performing four-handed dentistry as a chair-side assistant.
Dental assistant training programs in Wisconsin prepare students to become certified in this field. A student must complete and pass the Dental Assisting National Board Certification Examination, which covers dental radiation health and safety, infection control and general chair-side topics. If she passes the test, she'll be awarded the title of Certified Dental Assistant.
Wisconsin dental assistant training programs typically require a candidate to complete an externship in a local dental office. These opportunities are available at general dentist offices as well as at the offices of specialty dentists, such as endodontists, orthodontists, pediatric dentists, oral surgeons and periodontists. Schools in Wisconsin typically arrange for the student to work at certain dental sites to complete the required supervised field training before he can graduate.
Following dental assistant training in Wisconsin, a student can land a clinical dental assistant position in private dental offices or even work as a dental laboratory technician or dental supply company sales representative. In addition, a Wisconsin dental assistant training program graduate can apply for claims processor jobs at insurance companies. Dental assistants in Wisconsin tend to migrate toward Wausau, La Crosse and Janesville, where jobs in this field are more abundant relative to the population, according to CityTownInfo.com. But she might find positions available in Green Bay, Madison and Milwaukee too.