Dental Assistant Requirements & Application

Dental Assistant Orientation - Fall 2024 

2024-25 DA Student Paperwork Checklist Print this to do list.

DA Orientation Agenda

2024-25 Academic Calendar

2024-25 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
  • The clinical agencies that host the Northwood Tech DA students for clinical courses have significantly increased their demands for background check scrutiny over the past several years. We want to ensure students understand, prior to the start of the program, that if there are no clinical agencies that will accept the student based on the background check history, the student must be excused from the DA program, regardless of the student's academic standing. This is explained in further detail in the Background Check Disclosure form listed above, under Admission Requirements. 
  • All DA students are required to complete a Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check, and a National Criminal Background Check, which must be completed through Verified Credentials, LLC.
  • In addition to that, if you are a student who will complete a clinical rotation in Minnesota, you will also be required to complete a Minnesota Caregiver Background Check. Your Program Instructor/Advisor will inform you if a Minnesota background check is needed. 
    • MN Department of Human Services (DHS) Background Studies
    • The MN Dept. of Health Services NETStudy 2.0 background study requires all persons who provide services to children and vulnerable adults to be fingerprinted and photographed. 
    • Students will be required to provide Northwood Tech a copy of an Acceptable Form of ID for DHS Background studies (scroll down to What documents can be used to verify ID?), the completed Minnesota Caregiver Background Check and $44. 
    • Northwood Tech staff will verify the information provided and enter it into the MN DHS website. Background Study subjects will receive an email from IDEMIA-IdentoGO that includes an individual specific tracking number called a Universal Enrollment Identification (UE ID). The email will be sent within a few minutes of the background study application being submitted in NETStudy 2.0 by the provider. The email includes instructions for study subjects to use IDEMIA-IdentoGO's pre-enrollment system and information on locating a fingerprint location.
    • Students MUST present a form of ID to be fingerprinted and photographed and will be required to pay the $10.50 fee at the fingerprint and photo location. 
    • Within 14 days of receiving the email from IDEMIA-IdentoGO, students must be fingerprinted and photographed. If not completed within 14 days, the above process and fee payment will need to be repeated. 
    • Background Study Notice of Privacy Practices
  • After background checks are completed, students are expected to self report any changes.
• Health Form and Directions 
  • 1. Complete the HS Health Form and save it.
  • 2. Follow instructions on the form for submission.
• DA Policies
  • Professional Expectations-Dress Code
    • 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. 
• Complete and Give to Instructor
  • DA Functional Abilities Disclosure - See the form listed above, under Admission Requirements. Read the functions and initial/sign the last page as described. Submit to instructor by designated due date.
  • Health Sciences Confidentiality Statement
  • DA Computer Skills Checklist
  • DA Student Information
  • Dental Office Visit Record
  • DA Program Student Orientation Opinion Survey
  • DA Program Dental Provider Permission Form
  • DA Program Dental Practice Shadow Form
• 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
  • 2024-25 DA Program Technology Needs
  • 2024-25 DA Program Cost Sheet
  • 2024-25 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.