Campus News

Dental Assistant Expanding to Luverne Center

4/17/19

Minnesota West is expanding the Dental Assistant program to the Minnesota West Luverne Center. The Dental Assisting program is currently offered on the Canby campus and starting Fall 2019, the program will expand to the Luverne center. Classroom lecture will be delivered in web-based methods; and lab will be face-to-face at the center.

Jackie Otkin, Minnesota West Dean of Allied Health comments, “The job outlook and opportunities in rural Minnesota and southeastern South Dakota made the decision to expand the program to Luverne an easy one. The access for students for education and employment is a good fit to extend the program in Luverne. Our partnership with the city of Luverne, as well as the community, has been instrumental in the success of the center. The expansion of the program will result in a full functional dental lab for service opportunities as well.” 

“I am thrilled that we will be able to increase educational opportunities by expanding our Dental Assistant Program to Luverne, Minnesota,” comments Minnesota West Dental Assistant instructor, Sara Abrahamson. “Expansion of our Dental Assistant Program to the Luverne site will increase the availability of quality dental assistants in our region,” adds Minnesota West Dental Assistant instructor Teresa Noyes.

The Dental Assistant program is designed to prepare individuals for a career in a variety of oral healthcare settings. This may be as a clinical chairside assistant to a dentist or dental hygienist or as a non-clinical practice management assistant. The program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation and upon completion the student will take national and state examinations leading to certification and licensure in dental assisting.