Lake Area Technical College Watertown, South Dakota

Lake Area Technical College’s Dental Assisting program offers a comprehensive pathway to a rewarding career in the dental field. Students gain vital skills as “extra hands” to dentists, performing tasks such as assisting during procedures, recording medical histories, taking x-rays, and sterilizing equipment. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through practice in a state-of-the-art dental lab and valuable off-campus clinical experiences. Students can choose between an 11-month diploma option for a focused skillset or a 20-month Associate of Applied Science degree for expanded opportunities and a foundation for further education. Graduates are prepared to excel in dental offices and clinics, with eligibility to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board exam and meet requirements for registration in radiology and expanded functions. With a very high job placement rate, graduates will also be eligible to continue for an additional year of instruction in the new Dental Hygiene program, earning two AAS degrees in only three years!

You can view detailed information about the programs or certificates available at Lake Area Technical College on the NCES website.

* Cohort Year represents the year for which students began their studies and applies to Graduation and Transfer Out Rates.
** Net Price is Average Net Price for 2022-2023 generated for full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. For public institutions only students paying the in-state or in-district rate are included. For institutions that charge students by program, net price is generated for the institution’s largest program.
NA (Not applicable) – Graduation rate, transfer-out rate and the net price are not applicable to institutions that do not have full-time, first-time degree-seeking undergraduate students in the applicable cohort year or the financial aid year.