Dental Assistant

Primary Pathway: Clinical Care

Overview:
Supports dental teams with chairside assistance, infection control, patient coordination, and education. Prepares rooms, sterilizes instruments, assists procedures, and may perform administrative tasks like scheduling and records.

What You’ll Do:

  • Prepare rooms and instruments; assist during procedures.
  • Sterilization and IPC compliance.
  • Patient records and coordination.
  • Health promotion and dental education.

Prerequisites:

  • Grade 12 diploma — Regular Grade 12, Adult 12, or GED.
  • Typically begin with College of Arts and Science (for university stream prerequisites).

Program Locations: Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Regina

Programs:

  • College of Dentistry
  • Pre‑Dentistry
  • Health Studies
  • Arts and Science
  • Kinesiology

University or Post‑Secondary:

  • University of Regina
  • University of Saskatchewan

Education & Qualifications:

  • Dental Assistant training/certification.
  • Communication, organization, gentle patient care.

Admission Requirements (Pathway Notes):

  • Foundations of Mathematics 30 or Pre‑Calculus 30 recommended for university pathways.
  • Mature Admission: 21+; academic assessment 60% in Biology 30, Foundations/Pre‑Calculus 30, and one of the accepted Grade 12 English options; plus one Grade 12 Social Science/Humanities.

Where You’ll Work:

  • Dental clinics, school programs, mobile units.

Growth Pathways:

  • Senior Assistant → Dental Coordinator → Dental Therapy (with training)