Nebraska Dental Assisting Training Options

Around 2,180 people are employed as dental assistants in the state of Nebraska. [Seguir leyendo en español]

As with the health care area in general across the US, strong growth is expected in Nebraska in this profession in the ten years to 2026. There are expected to around 290 job openings in this role every year, with total employment in dental assistants growing by 15.9%.

Requirements

Nebraska’s dental practice act defines the duties that a dental assistant may or may not perform. For those procedures understood to be basic, there are no specific educational requirements. Assistants must, however, be at least 18 years of age, and, if they are involved in the administration of inhalation analgesia, general anesthesia or parenteral sedation, be certified in BLS (basic life support skills).

In order to become a dental assistant qualified in coronal polishing you must either complete one year of clinical work experience (minimum 1500 hours) and a Board-approved course, or graduate from a CODA-accredited program which includes coronal polishing training.

For information in dental hygiene schools in Nebraska, see this page.

Dental Assistant Salaries by Area

In 2018, Dental Assistants in the state of Nebraska were reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to earn an average annual salary of $36,860, which is equivalent to $17.72 per hour.

College Listings

For specific information on schools in Omaha, see this page.

Grand Island, NE

3134 West Hwy 34, Grand Island, Nebraska 68802-4903
(308) 398-4222
https://www.cccneb.edu/dent

The Associate’s program at Central Community College is offered at their campus in the city of Grand Island. This public college has around 7,283 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. In-state tuition fees are approximately $2,700 per year. The fees for students from outside the state of Nebraska are $3,900.

3134 West Hwy 34, Grand Island, Nebraska 68802-4903
(308) 398-4222
https://www.cccneb.edu/dent

The Certificate program at Central Community College is offered at their campus in the city of Grand Island. The majority of the school’s 7,283 students are on 2-year programs. In-state tuition is approximately $2,700 per year. Fees for out-of-state students are $3,900.

North Platte, NE

1101 Halligan Drive, North Platte, Nebraska 69101
(800) 658-4308
http://www.mpcc.edu/health-and-medical-occupations/dental-assisting

The Associate’s program at Mid-Plains Community College is offered at their campus in the town of North Platte. Most of the school’s 2,591 students are on 2-year programs. In-state tuition fees are approximately $2,760 per year. The fees for students from outside Nebraska are $3,450. This is an 11 month program leading to a diploma in dental assisting. Additional program costs include uniforms, lab fees, name tag, radiation badge fee, CPR/BLS class, and hepatitis immunizations.

Read more: http://www.mpcc.edu/health-and-medical-occupations/dental-assisting

1101 Halligan Drive, North Platte, Nebraska 69101
(800) 658-4308
http://www.mpcc.edu/health-and-medical-occupations/dental-assisting

The Certificate program at Mid-Plains Community College is taught at their North Platte campus. This public college has about 2,591 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. In-state tuition is approximately $2,760 per year, while the fees for students from other states are $3,450. This program is available as an option to those having completed the 11 month diploma program.

Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA

30 & Fort Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68111-1610
(402) 457-2400
https://www.mccneb.edu/Academics/Programs-of-Study/Health-Sciences-and-Health-Technology/Dental-Assistant.aspx

Metropolitan Community College Area’s diploma program is offered at their campus in the city of Omaha, NE. The program is accredited by the American Dental Association. Most of the school’s 17,376 students are on 2-year programs. Typical in-state tuition is approximately $2,610 per year. Tuition for out-of-state students is $3,803.