
From submitting your application to admission to registration, Northwood Tech is available to help guide you through the admissions process. To help you successfully complete this program, Northwood Tech has developed a set of program requirements and technical standards. For students with a disability, reasonable accommodations are available to help you be successful in the program of your choice.
Admission Requirements
The first step to get admitted is to fill out a Northwood Tech application, and Northwood Tech will guide you from there. If you're not quite ready to become a student, visit a campus to get the full Northwood Tech experience. A campus tour will give you the opportunity to meet staff, instructors and students, tour the campus and get a real feel for the campus culture.
- Complete Online application form
- Submit an official high school (or HSED/GED) transcript with graduation date.
- If you are a current high school student, you can be admitted with an unofficial, or official, current transcript. Your final official transcript with graduation date must be submitted prior to the program starting or you will be withdrawn from the program.
- If you are a current high school student, you can be admitted with an unofficial, or official, current transcript. Your final official transcript with graduation date must be submitted prior to the program starting or you will be withdrawn from the program.
- Review and sign Background Check Disclosure
- Complete admissions meeting with a Northwood Tech counselor (academic admission requirements apply)
2025-26 Dental Assistant Additional Program Information
2025-26 Dental Assistant Additional Program Information-Transfer Track
Program-Specific Requirements
- Submit Background Check fee
- Have an acceptable Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check, National Criminal Background Check, Minnesota Caregiver Background Check (if applicable), and another state, if applicable
- Complete physical exam and health requirements, including immunizations
- Possess current certification of 'BLS Basic Life Support'
- Review and sign Health Sciences Confidentiality Statement
- Review and sign dental office visit form
- Review and sign dental assistant program permission form
- Participate in a mandatory program orientation session
Dental Assistant Student Handbook
- 2025-26 Health Sciences & Dental Assistant Student Policies will be available August 2025.
Dental Assistant Orientation - Fall 2025
2025-26 DA Student Paperwork Checklist Print this to do list.
2025-26 DA Required Courses Required Courses are to be used as a guide. Although your academic advisor can provide guidance, you are ultimately responsible for selecting courses that meet a program's graduation requirements.
- Background Checks
- To understand more about the requirements for background checks and how the results may affect you, please review the DA Background Check Disclosure under Admission Requirements at the top of this page.
- Dental Assistant (DA) students are required to complete the following background checks prior to entry into the DA program:
- WI Caregiver Background Check
- National Criminal Background Check
- Students who will complete a clinical rotation in Minnesota ONLY—MN Department of Human Services (DHS) Background Study
- To complete the WI Caregiver background check:
- Fill out these forms:
- Submit the completed forms to the staff member listed for your campus:
- Rice Lake—Ashley Smith ashley.smith@northwoodtech.edu
- Superior—Nikki Kruger nikki.kruger@northwoodtech.edu
- To complete the National Criminal Background Check:
- Open the Verified Credentials, LLC link and click GET STARTED NOW.
- Follow the instructions to complete your purchase.
- To complete the MN Department of Human Services (DHS) Background Study
- If required ONLY--The instructor or program director will provide more information.
- Review the MN DHS Background Study Notice of Privacy Practices
- Contact student services at your campus for instructions.
- Superior—Nikki Kruger nikki.kruger@northwoodtech.edu
- Note that you will need to pay the background study fee of $44.
- Check your email for updates about your background study.
- Information about completing the fingerprinting and photo requirement will be emailed to you. The fee for fingerprints and photos is $10.50.
- See more information on the MN DHS Background Studies website https://mn.gov/dhs/general-public/background-studies/
- To update a background check
- After initial background checks are completed, you may need to update your checks. For details about this requirement or to report changes, use this form:
- Self-Report form for background checks
- After initial background checks are completed, you may need to update your checks. For details about this requirement or to report changes, use this form:
- Health Form and Directions
- 1. Complete the HS Health Form and save it.
- 2. Follow instructions on the form for submission.
- DA Policies
- Your ID Name Badge can be ordered using the Student ID Request Form.
- You may order from the uniform vendor of your choice, but you must have the items listed.
- Find the Health Sciences Professional Expectations and Dress Code in the Health Sciences Policies. (HS-24)
- Complete and Give to Instructor
- BLS Basic Life Support Course Offerings
- Please see Program Director for course offerings through Northwood Tech
- When seeking courses from other entities, please note: courses must include face-to-face components and include BLS/AED for Healthcare Provider.
- Additional Information
- Dental Assistant Program FAQs
- 2025-26 DA Program Technology Needs
- 2025-26 DA Program Cost Sheet
- 2025-26 DA Program Textlist
- Insurance Information
- ADAA Membership The Northwood Tech Dental Assistant program recommends all students become members of the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA).
- Student Biographical Change Request Please print and use this form if you change your name, address, or phone number(s). You should submit it to your local Student Services to be certain that the changes are entered in the main computer system.
Dental Assistant Withdrawal
- Instructions for Withdrawal from DA Core Courses
- If you are at this webpage, it means your DA Academic Advisor has been notified that you dropped your DA course (508-xxx) courses.
- If you are withdrawing from your DA core (508-xxx) courses, the DA program would like to gather data regarding your decision to withdraw. This data is useful in the DA planning process. Thank you for providing this information.
- Please carefully review the Withdrawal from the DA Program form. You may complete the form electronically and email to megen.elliott@NorthwoodTech.edu or print and mail this form within one month of your exiting the program to the following address:
- Megen Elliott
- Northwood Technical College
- 1900 College Dr
- Rice Lake WI 54868
- If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact Megen Elliott, DA Program Director, at megen.elliott@NorthwoodTech.edu or 715.788.7150.
- If you are at this webpage, it means your DA Academic Advisor has been notified that you dropped your DA course (508-xxx) courses.
Technology Requirements
If using Macintosh or Linux based computers, coursework must be submitted using your Office365 tools provided with your Northwood Tech email account. It is important to verify with your Program Faculty if non-Windows based computers are acceptable in the program.