Do you have a dream of working in the medical field?
If so, starting out as a dental assistant with the intention of later becoming a dentist could maybe be easier than trying to become a general practitioner, physician, or surgeon.
Page Navigation
- Licensing Requirements to Become a Wisconsin Dental Assistant
- 5 Dental Assistant Schools in Wisconsin
- 1. Western Technical College
- 2. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
- 3. National Dental Academy of Wisconsin (NDA)
- 4. University of Wisconsin Extension (Multiple Locations)
- Green Bay At Marinette
- The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (And Fond du Lac)
- 5. Fox Valley Technical College
- Dental Assitant Schools in Wisconsin – Summary Table
- Top 5 Schools in Wisconsin
- Salary
- Frequently Asked Questions
Licensing Requirements to Become a Wisconsin Dental Assistant
The state of Wisconsin does not require you to have a license to work as a Dental Assistant.
However, most employers require you to have a credential provided by the Dental Assisting National Board, American Dental Association, or another widely recognized association.
You also have to work under the supervision of a certified Dentist.
5 Dental Assistant Schools in Wisconsin
1. Western Technical College
The dental assistant diploma program at Western Technical College prepares you to work in a solo office or for a group of dentists.
The training starts you off with dental anatomy foundational training and chairside patient care skills.
You also receive practical training in oral hygiene, X-ray technology, and interpersonal communications.
2. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
This Green Bay, WI Tech school will prepare you for an administrative or clinical dental assistant occupation.
You receive a head start through the virtual simulations in your classroom training before experiencing your hands-on training sessions.
You receive your books with either the 300-hour or the 150-hour training program.
As a Clinical Dental Assistant trainee, you will learn the origins of mouth diseases and how to prevent them.
You also will become comfortable setting up a patient for dental care.
If you choose the administrative track, you would process dental insurance claims.
In addition, you would keep inventory and perform a variety of bookkeeping tasks and file patient records.
3. National Dental Academy of Wisconsin (NDA)
A typical offering by the NDA of Wisconsin is 10 weeks of Saturday classes.
When you sign up for this training, you have the unique experience of learning in a dental office instead of a classroom.
You do, however, have some textbook training.
Still, you will come out further ahead when you take advantage of the real-life experience that this training provides.
What is more, this school offers flexible financing options if you cannot pay the entire tuition upfront.
4. University of Wisconsin Extension (Multiple Locations)
Green Bay At Marinette
This school offers a similar learning structure as you would find at the NWTC campus in Green Bay.
It is a technical extension that runs from 150 to 300 hours depending on the track you take.
Choose between the clinical or the administrative dental concentration.
Either way, you receive a combination of classroom and hands-on experience to prepare you for real work.
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (And Fond du Lac)
Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, and the rest of the Fox Valley have campus extensions that have a dental assistant program.
You might also want to try Appleton.
However, Appleton does have its own tech school.
5. Fox Valley Technical College
You will receive the training you need to provide chairside assistance and perform lab procedures with a dentist’s supervision after you earn the Fox Valley Technical College Dental Assistant diploma.
This instruction also teaches you to clean and sanitize all dental equipment.
In addition, you will become proficient in tracking a patient’s dental history.
In addition, you will know how to check their vital signs once you have completed this coursework.
By the way, FVTC has received recognition from The Commission on Dental Accreditation association.
This 33-hour technical diploma program also includes hands-on training.
Courses you would take include Radiology, X-Rays, Dental Anatomy, Clinical Dental, and Laboratory Procedures.
You also have the chance to enhance your administrative skills.
Dental Assitant Schools in Wisconsin – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Wisconsin
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Western Technical College | 400 7th St N, La Crosse, WI 54601 |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | 2740 W Mason St, Green Bay, WI 54307 |
| National Dental Academy of Wisconsin (NDA) | 200 East Bridge Street, Wausau, WI 54403 |
| University of Wisconsin Extension (Multiple Locations) | 780 Regent Street, Suite 130. Madison, WI 53715 |
| Fox Valley Technical College | 1825 N Bluemound Dr, Appleton, WI 54912 |
Salary
An April 26, 2022 report indicates that Wisconsin dental assistants make an average of $40,197 per year.
The average salary range is $35,651 to $44,602.
If you continue your education, you could earn $48,612 or more.
Besides Green Bay, Milwaukee and Madison, you might want to look for jobs in Greendale, Janesville or Watertown, Waukesha, and Oconomowoc.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Dental Assistants in Wisconsin
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $40,388 |
| Madison | $39,986 |
| Green Bay | $39,148 |
| Kenosha | $40,090 |
| Racine | $40,090 |
| Appleton | $39,156 |
| Waukesha | $39,156 |
| Oshkosh | $38,903 |
| Eau Claire | $38,048 |
| La Crosse | $37,267 |
Regional Salary in Wisconsin
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | 280 | $45,890 | $22.06 | $55,390 | $38,540 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 290 | $42,540 | $20.45 | $49,930 | $36,040 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | 100 | $43,680 | $21 | $51,600 | $36,210 |
| Green Bay, WI | 420 | $43,600 | $20.96 | $54,040 | $36,770 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 150 | $42,230 | $20.31 | $50,090 | $36,810 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 200 | $44,420 | $21.36 | $50,830 | $37,370 |
| Madison, WI | 760 | $44,910 | $21.59 | $57,160 | $38,300 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | 1,900 | $44,600 | $21.44 | $55,580 | $35,720 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 180 | $43,160 | $20.75 | $51,790 | $36,910 |
| Racine, WI | 180 | $42,590 | $20.48 | $49,100 | $37,120 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 140 | $46,560 | $22.38 | $60,020 | $36,380 |
| Wausau, WI | 230 | $43,120 | $20.73 | $52,540 | $36,680 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What demand is there for dental assistants in Wisconsin?
Apparently, the job growth outlook totals approximately 10 percent by 2026.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also says that the national growth rate for this profession may reach 11% from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than average.
Where do Wisconsin dentists usually work?
They typically work in either a private practice or in a complex that has several dentists on its team.
Other places, such as long-term stay facilities, hospitals, or employee sites may hire them as well.
Do I need a degree to be a dental assistant in WI?
Usually, you only need about a year of certificate training.
If you do not know what certification you need, start exploring the options available on the Dental Assisting National Board website.
Are there advancement opportunities for Wisconsin dental assistants?
You can acquire as many certificates as you want.
For instance, you could first obtain the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) credential.
Then, you could become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) or a Certified Preventative Functions Dental Assistant (DPFDA).
How much does WI dental assistant certification cost?
It depends on what association you receive your credentials from and how many certificates you want to earn at once.
Individual exam costs range from about $250-$450, but the school tuition is sold separately.
A year of schooling would usually cost you about $7,653 including books.
Financial assistance or scholarships are available to eligible students.
