Pathway
Dental Assistant
Dental Assistant youth apprentices prepare patients, sterilize, or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, and assist the dentist during dental procedures.
Length of Apprenticeship: One or two years
Job Competencies
Year 1: Youth apprentices must complete a total of 9 competencies. Eight must be from the list below. If necessary, employers can substitute 1 competency with another occupationally appropriate skill. That skill should be added to the competency list for assessment.
Year 2: Youth apprentices must complete a total of 9 competencies. Eight must be from the list below. If necessary, employers can substitute 1 competency with another occupationally appropriate skill. Those skills should be added to the competency list for assessment.
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YEAR 1 Occupational Competencies
- Use standard precautions and infection prevention strategies
- Create and maintain client records
- Assist to maintain emergency kit
- Clean removable appliances
- Prepare procedural trays and set-ups
- Perform sterilization and disinfection procedures
- Prepare room for procedures
- Receive and prepare client for treatment
- Provide client education and instructions
YEAR 2 Occupational Competencies
- Complete lab forms
- Apply topical anesthetic to the injection site
- Assist with common clinical procedures
- Chart dental conditions
- Transfer dental instruments
- Operate water and air syringe and suction
- Process dental radiographs
- Assist to evaluate radiographs for diagnostic quality
- Mix dental materials
Related Instruction
Students must enroll in 1 High School Credit or 3 College Credits of related instruction each year they participate in the Youth Apprenticeship program.
Purpose of Related Instruction
The purpose of choosing a related instruction course is to ensure students are learning technical and academic skills that support the student's ability to perform their work tasks. This should be done concurrently with on-the-job training to make relevant connections between learning competencies and work.
Choosing Related Instruction
You will collaborate with your YA Coordinator and School Counselor to determine the most appropriate option for related instruction. A course within your high school directly related to the career pathway is ideal, especially if dual credits and/or hours related to a potential registered apprenticeship are offered.
If there is not a directly related course in your school district, related instruction in the same career cluster is also acceptable.
If there is not a course within that career cluster in your school district, you may request to register for a college course through the Start College Now program with a local technical college, Early College Credit from a local university, or from an alternative provider such as Destinations Career Academy.
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- Med Term
- Anatomy & Physiology
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- Microbiology
- Intro to Biochemistry
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- Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Terminology
- Health Sciences 1 & 2
Post Secondary
There are numerous opportunities to continue your education after completing the Youth Apprenticeship program.
Registered Apprenticeships
Registered Apprenticeship in Dental Assistant is not currently available.
College and University
- Completion of a Youth Apprenticeship fulfills college admission requirements across the UW System. Click here to learn more Universities of Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin Technical College System.